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Give A Little Tzaddik

June 15, 2026 No Comments

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Give A Little Tzaddik

Key Takeaways

  • The weekly parsha discussion centered on the concept of the Tzaddik, using Yosef HaTzaddik as the paradigm.
  • Sacred Jewish sites such as Me’arat HaMachpela and Har HaBayit remain physically and politically inaccessible, yet spiritually belong to the Jewish people.
  • The Tzaddik is defined not as a singular righteous type, but as a unifying force that encompasses all personalities, levels, and even opposing forces.
  • The month of Tammuz, associated with national disintegration, is precisely when the concept of the Tzaddik becomes most relevant.
  • The letter Tzaddik has two forms — the Beis Yosef version (arms pointing in the same direction) and the Arizal version (arms pointing in opposite directions) — each representing different dimensions of the Tzaddik’s role.
  • Every Jew takes a pre-birth oath (shavua) to strive to be a Tzaddik — not merely to observe Halacha, but to be inclusive, versatile, and universally connecting.
  • Tefillah is identified as the primary power of the Tzaddik, as it mirrors the act of connecting all facets of existence to Hashem.

Delight in Holy Days

June 14, 2026 No Comments

Audio only…

Delight in Holy Days

Key Takeaways

  • The central theme of the session was Rabbi Nachman’s teaching (Sicha 40) on the “rotating wheel” of the world — that everything operates in cycles, highs and lows, and all stems from one divine root.
  • The dreidel’s four letters (Nun, Gimel, Hey, Shin) are deliberately presented out of traditional order in the text, reinforcing the theme that there is no fixed order — everything ultimately returns to one source.
  • The letter Shin, typically considered the “worst” outcome in a dreidel game, actually represents the highest value: giving. The world prizes taking; Jewish values prize giving.
  • The number 8 is a recurring spiritual motif across Hanukkah, Sukkot (Shemini Atzeret), and Shavuot — representing transcendence beyond the natural 7-day cycle of the physical world.
  • The Shofar serves dual functions: arousing fear/awe of Hashem and representing the channel through which divine sustenance flows. Fear and joy (Simcha) are not contradictory — true Simcha is born from Yirah (awe).
  • Open miracles (as on Hanukkah) train us to recognize hidden miracles (as on Purim) and ultimately to see all of existence as miraculous.
  • The Sukkah’s gematria (numerical value) equals 91, the same as “Salah” (basket/shelter), symbolizing that entering the Sukkah means entering Hashem’s protective shelter — a remedy for anxiety and destructive appetites.
  • The ultimate takeaway of Hanukkah is personal renewal: graduating from a worldview governed by physical logic and self-interest toward one of giving, trust in Hashem, and recognition of the miraculous in everyday life.

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Yeshivas Rashbi

Chatzos Kollels have become popular in recent years. Only the Zohar emphasizes the importance of this practice. It’s repeated there dozens of times.

 

With the haskama of Rav Moshe Shapiro zt”l I encourage people to learn this way themselves whenever possible.

 

When we can’t, next best is to sponsor someone who can. The ideal subject of learning after chatzos is Kabbala.

 

$1500 will sponsor a talmid chochom learning kabbala in Yeshivas Rashbi for a month.

Stealth Kollel

Twenty years ago a colleague in the Mir discovered a number of talmidei chachomim struggling financially who refused to receive tzedaka. He outsmarted them.

 

They were invited to join a Shabbos kollel paying them nicely for learning they were doing anyway wherever they want. Donors don’t know the recipients, and the recipients don’t even know they’re receiving tzedaka. This is the Stealth Kollel.

 

Stealthily supporting thirty world class talmidei chachomim learning in Yerushalayim. The most ideal form of tzedaka, as stipulated in Bava Basra 9a.

 

There are no expenses and no advertising. 100% tzedaka.

 

Sponsoring one avrech for a month is $1000. But donations of any size are warmly welcomed.