We were returning from the Kotel on a crowded bus, when we noticed an elderly lady get on the bus with her cart. As is expected on Israeli buses, she approached a row of chairs in which three young girls (aged 5-6) were seated with their father. The lady proceeded to ask one of the […]
Category: Stories
I just heard the tragic news that a giant of our generation, Rabbi Dovid Feinstein, son of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein, passed away. Baruch Dayan HaEmet. Though I did not merit to know him well, I wish to share a personal story, which I believe illustrates one of Rav Dovid’s most exemplary Middot – his Anavah, […]
I once had an extremely unsettling conversation that left its marks on me until this very day. [I wish to note the following disclaimer: as disdainful as some of these sentiments may sound, they did not come from a malicious place, but from a place of having been programmed as such by their respective society. […]
Peace is not always the best solution to a conflict. There, I said it. How many times have we been taught that we must always forgive, but never taught that there are those which our Torah does not demand us to forgive? How often have we heard that we must judge everyone favorably, but never told that there are […]
Squelched. Repressed. Trampled. Unknown. Those are the words that come to mind when I think of Sepharadic Judaism in the 21st century, especially outside of Israel. But more about that later, perhaps even in a different article. I have spent the last few years in silence, just trying to take in the (online) Jewish scene, […]
NOTE: I generally proofread and edit the articles that I write, so that they will be easy for the reader to understand. This article though is quite different – it is a stream of consciousness I experienced in the aftermath of Rabbi Tendler’s death, with which I hope to fulfill the words of our Sages: […]
Warning: Some content discussed may be uncomfortable for some audiences or unsuitable for some ages. Discretion is advised. While Rabbi Yoni generally tries to stray from being carried away by current politics or controversies, many have asked for his official response to this issue. This article in no way represent the opinion or standpoint of […]
I am silent. I have not spoken. I have not expressed opinion. I have not shared my thoughts. I have simply sat and pondered. Davened and cried. Closed my eyes and asked the Higher Power to give me clarity of mind. How am I to fathom the terrible tragedy that happened in New York last […]
I would like to share a beautiful story sent to me by my third grade Rebbe, Rabbi Baruch Lederman of San Diego, California. I strongly suggest you sign up for his inspiring weekly “ShulWeek” newsletter by clicking here! Hashem orchestrates the world and takes care of us in amazing unexpected ways, as the following true […]
Why do we cry on Tisha B’Av? What is it that we really mourn? Is it possible that we mourn for thousands of years over bricks and stones? Over the demolition of buildings? These questions burn in our mind throughout Tisha B’Av. How many of us question in the depths of our hearts the meaning […]