Balak 5770Volume 6 · Issue 32

Source of Blessing

The Rambam writes in his Principles of Faith that Moshe Rabbeinu was the father of all prophets, of those who preceded him and of those who succeeded him, and his prophecy was greater in many aspects. One of the differences is that they would prophesy with the expression, “So said

In On the Torah V · Chapter 170View Sefer

Vayeishev 5771Volume 7 · Issue 12

The Walk of Victors

Restoration of Faith

Vayechi 5772Volume 8 · Issue 14

How Beautiful Our Heritage

The great test of the Egyptian Exile was the very same test that Yosef underwent. The Jewish People did not withstand the test of faith. As the Rambam writes (Hilchos Avodah Zarah 1:3), their faith kept becoming weaker and the principle that Avraham planted was nearly uprooted, until the children of Yaakov returned to the error of the world and their straying. Not much was missing

In On the Torah II · Chapter 74View Sefer

Ki Sisa-Parah 5773Volume 9 · Issue 23

Juxtaposed Redemptions

Additionally, as the Ramban explains at length (Shemos 13:16), all the principles of faith were revealed at the Exodus. It revealed that the world has a Creator, Leader, Master, and all that He desires, He makes in the heavens and upon the earth, in the seas and in all depths (Tehillim 135:6). It revealed

In Chanukah & Purim · Chapter 34View Sefer

Tetzaveh-Zachor 5775Volume 11 · Issue 18

The Tail End of Evil

been clear to him with absolute certainty disappeared and he became an apostate. He desecrated the Sabbath, he committed sins of immorality, and he transgressed all the prohibition of the Torah, with absolute denial of all the principles of faith. He had been a sage of the Mishnah, a colleague of R’ Akiva!

In Chanukah & Purim · Chapter 33View Sefer

Behaaloscha 5775Volume 11 · Issue 26

The Great and Fearsome Desert

Torah began in the world in the two thousandth year of creation, which was the year that Avraham Avinu turned fifty-two. The Talmud (Avodah Zarah 9a) identifies it as the year when he began to engage in publicizing faith in the Creator, and Rashi explains the calculation in detail.

In On the Torah IV · Chapter 138View Sefer

Ki Seitzei 5775Volume 12 · Issue 2

Honest Expression

And we know with absolute faith that there will come a day—let it be swiftly in our days—when an honest expression will be heard throughout the world, and shock and real trembling will pass over everyone. This promise was given to us in prophecy

Ki Sisa 5776Volume 12 · Issue 25

In Anticipation of Transcendence

have been asked whether he fulfilled all the commandments, whether he prayed with concentration. But he is asked, “Have you yearned for deliverance?” Is this the only commandment? There are another few questions. “Have you conducted your affairs with faith?” “Have you engaged in procreation?” And so on. These are all great and important matters. But is this all there is to ask?

In Sabbath & Prayer · Chapter 13View Sefer

Behaaloscha 5776Volume 12 · Issue 35

Guard from Evil

“Rabbi Yochanan said in the name of Rabbi Yossi ben Zimra, “Anyone who slanders is as if he has denied the principles of faith, as it says (Tehillim 12:5), “…Who have said, “We will become mighty with our tongue, our lips are with us, who is master over us….””

Vayelech 5776Volume 12 · Issue 5

Liberated

The aforementioned passage cites many other incidents. People tend to trample them with their heel. But a person with slightly more sensitivity, keenness, and faith, a person who lives with a somewhat closer relationship to the Creator of the World, senses that he is being spoken to from on high.

Pinchas 5745Volume 13 · Issue 17

Consolation

And every member of Israel knows this with absolute faith as he stands before the Creator and declares each day, “Blessed is our Lord Who has created us for His honor and separated us from those who stray and gave to us the Torah of Truth and planted within

In The Three Weeks · Chapter 1View Sefer

Shemos 5750Volume 14 · Issue 16

Sheep Among Wolves

In the Land of Israel, one cannot plant and irrigate on foot. Nothing is immediate. It is necessary to look heavenward and to yearn and hope. There, planting is with faith, as Tosafos cites from the Jerusalem Talmud, “He has faith in the Life of the Worlds and plants” (Shabbos 31a). He invests and places the future in God’s hands.

In On the Torah III · Chapter 82View Sefer

Chukas 5750Volume 14 · Issue 33

Disproportionate Space

All the great earlier and later commentators struggle to explain the sin. Exceedingly harsh words are stated in response to it: “You did not have faith in Me,” (Bamidbar 20:12), “You have betrayed Me” (Devarim 32:51).

In On the Torah V · Chapter 166View Sefer

Chayei Sarah 5750Volume 14 · Issue 9

Submission of Request

“And Solomon learned from Yitzchak when he built the Holy Temple and arranged his prayer accordingly. A member of Israel, who has faith and who justifies any decree, will never complain. Consequently, “Grant every man according to his ways whose heart You know” (Melachim I 8:39). But the gentile lacks faith, and of him, Solomon said, “You shall hear in heaven

In On the Torah I · Chapter 38View Sefer

Vayeishev 5752Volume 15 · Issue 13

Healing the Limp

…tion is truly pitiable. We always follow God. When we suffer, we also have faith. We acknowledge Him as the One Who administers the suffering. But what happens when He seems to go along with the wicked? This test is…

Balak 5754Volume 16 · Issue 33

Inverted to Blessing

well. The very same words of Torah here are the words of Torah there. In other words, the mystery of the Resurrection is the connection of the upper realm and the realm of life below. One who has faith in this will merit it. But one who declares that there is no Resurrection from the Torah will not merit it.

In On the Torah V · Chapter 176View Sefer

Yom Kippur 5754Volume 16 · Issue 5

Sealed and Atoned

When the Jewish People had followed the Baal and placed their faith in falsehood, they had abandoned the Event of Mount Sinai. They had forsaken everything that grants the designation of Israel. Their repentance was achieved through their declaration, “God is the Lord.” It returned them after a fashion to the Event

Tzav-Parah 5757Volume 18 · Issue 26

Splendor of Israel

And it is well known to anyone who ponders it. Rabbi Yaakov Emdin in his commentary to prayers (Siddur Bais Yaakov Me’Emdin 6c) and in his other works considers Israel’s survival the greatest proof of faith. He considers it the most wondrous miracle in the world. And it is patently obvious. It can be seen tangibly. “No instrument forged against you shall succeed, and every tongue contesting you in judgment shall you condemn” (Yeshayahu 54:17).

Nitzavim-Vayelech 5756Volume 18 · Issue 3

Keeping the Covenant

Presume our faith is not absolute. But is there not a five percent chance that it is all correct?

Rosh Hashanah 5757Volume 18 · Issue 4

Mercy in Judgment

Today, it is unremarkable, because we know not what judgment means. We know nothing. But the subject is Israel—and Israel has existed for thousands of years. As Israel, we have absolute faith that we are standing trial. And there were those who knew this. They knew what was being judged as well as the severity and fearsomeness of the judgment. “Angels hasten, dread and quaking grip them, and they proclaim