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Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar: Paragraph Six

This paragraph is sung by Mordechai and Esther as they reflect on the Purim story:

“Give thanks

Tags: Adar, God, Hallel, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Rosh Chodesh, The Foundation Stone

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar: Paragraph Five

I suspect that the Jews who heard of Haman’s decree did not celebrate God’s kindness, or perceive His truth, and yet, there were indications of both even in the darkest hours: Esther was Queen, and Mordechai saved the King’s life.

Tags: Adar, God, Hallel, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Rosh Chodesh, The Foundation Stone

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar: Paragraph Four

The “Servant of God” who is singing the Hallel sees life as a series of challenges to grow as a human being and maximize his potential. He understands that each situation promises an opportunity of eternal blessing as celebrated

Tags: Adar, God, Hallel, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Rosh Chodesh, The Foundation Stone

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar Paragraph Three

The Chasid Ya’avetz introduces this paragraph by explaining it as the praise of Israel when they have survived tragedy, and have experienced a ‘taste’ of the World to Come, a world of endless possibilities and potential -

Tags: Adar, God, Hallel, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Rosh Chodesh, The Foundation Stone

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar Paragraph Two

The Chasid Ya’avetz continues his commentary on Hallel by pointing out that the Children of Israel sang because the miracles were a demonstration of God’s deep and abiding love for them. They saw beyond the miracles,

Tags: Adar, God, Hallel, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Rosh Chodesh, The Foundation Stone

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar Paragraph One

According to the Chasid Ya’avetz, the key verse of the Adar Hallel is, “The heavens are God’s, while the earth has been given to people.” The Purim challenge is how we choose to live in this world

Tags: Adar, God, Hallel, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Rosh Chodesh, The Foundation Stone

Pekudei: Netziv: The Poles of Malchut

“The Ark of Testimony and its staves, and the cover (Exodus 39:35).” When describing the Ark, the verse mentions it together with “it's staves.” The same is true of the Copper Altar, “The Copper Altar and its copper meshwork,

Tags: Bible, Chumash, Parsha, Portion of the Week, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone, Torah

Pikudei: Beit HaLevi: According to Instructions

“As God commanded Moshe (Exodus 39:1).” Why does the Torah constantly repeat “As God commanded Moshe”? When they sinned with the Golden Calf, they were attempting to create their own relationship with God,

Tags: Bible, Chumash, Parsha, Portion of the Week, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone, Torah

Shabbat Psalm: 92:6-7

“How great our Your deeds, God; exceedingly profound all our Your thoughts. A boor cannot know, nor can a fool understand this (Psalms 92:6–7).” "That You have created all the worlds, does not astound me. What does? What

Tags: Bible, Psalms, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, spirituality, Tehillim, The Foundation Stone, Tools for Growth

Shabbat Prayers: Morning Blessings of Shema: All Will Exalt You

“All will thank You,

And

Tags: Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Sabbath, Shabbat, The Foundation Stone

Tehillim on the Parsha: Pekudei: The Dwelling of Your House

This is the meaning of the verse, “O God, I love the dwelling of Your house (Psalms 26:8).” This refers to the Sanctuary, which is directly opposite the place of the residence of Your glory.

Tags: Bible, Midrash, Parsha, Psalms, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Tehillim, The Foundation Stone

Tehillim on the Parsha: Pekudei: Great Deeds Without Limit Part Five

In the end, his time comes and that same angel comes to him and says to him, “Do you recognize me?” The man says to the Angel, “Yes,” and then he says to the angel, “Why have you come to me today more than on

Tags: Bible, Midrash, Parsha, Psalms, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Tehillim, The Foundation Stone

Tools for Growth: Shevet Mussar: Shabbat Humility

There is a man who chooses the attribute of humility, and he dresses himself in shabby clothes, and separates himself from all the pleasures of this world. He fasts and afflicts himself with suffering to achieve purity and humility.

Tags: Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Religion, Serving God, Spiritual, The Foundation Stone, Tools for Growth

Shabbat Prayers: Pesukei d’Zimrah: Psalms 33:15: He Comprehends

“He fashions their hearts all together, He comprehends to all their deeds.” The Nefesh HaChaim (First Gate, chapter 12) writes that it would seem to have been more grammatically accurate for the verse to say, "Who comprehends

Tags: Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Sabbath, Shabbat, The Foundation Stone

Shabbat Prayers: Friday Night: You Sanctified

“You sanctified the seventh day for Your Names and sake, the purpose of the creation of heaven and earth. Of all days, You blessed it; and of all seasons, You sanctified; and so it is written in Your Torah.”

Tags: Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Sabbath, Shabbat, The Foundation Stone

Pekudei: Rav Shimon Shkop: Generating Power

“These are the reckonings of the Mishkan, the Mishkan of Testimony.” Why does the Torah say, “The Mishkan, the Mishkan?” Rabbi Shmuel taught: The Holy One, Blessed is He, said, “The Mishkan (Temple) will twice

Tags: Bible, Chumash, Parsha, Portion of the Week, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone, Torah

Shekalim: K’lil Tiferet

The 27th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit Rav Yeshayah (ben Moshe) Schorr (1879). His primary teacher was Rav Mordechai of Kremnitz, the son of the Maggid of Zlotchov. Rav Schorr's last rabbinical post, and the one for which

Tags: Parsha, Portion of the Week, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Spiritual Growth, The Foundation Stone

Six Constant Mitzvot: Orach LaTzaddik: Fear of Heaven

The 26th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Eliezer Lippa (ben Elimelech) of Chelminik, Poland (1813). The son of the Rebbe Reb Meilich, he wrote Orach Latzadik.

Rosh Chodesh Kavanot Adar II

When recite God’s Name in the Blessing of, “Who sanctifies Israel and the New Months,” on Rosh Chodesh Adar II, we combine the Kavanot of all the Twelve Months.

Tags: Appellations, God's Name, Kavanot, Prayer, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Rosh Chodesh, The Ari, The Foundation Stone

Pikeudei: Ridvaz: Aharon’s Clothes

“The knitted investments to serve in the Sanctuary, the sacred vestments of Aharon the Cohen, and the vestments of his sons to minister (Exodus 39:41).” In this verse regarding the manufacture of the clothes, the verse

Tags: Bible, Chumash, Parsha, Portion of the Week, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone, Torah

Shabbat Prayers: Kabbalat Shabbat Psalm 29:4

“The voice of God is in power! The voice of God is in Majesty!” Rashi (Exodus 19) teaches that at the time of the Revelation, God “constricted” His Voice according to what the Children of Israel would be able to receive and absorb.

Tags: Kabbalat Shabbat, Parsha, Portion of the Week, Shabbat, The Foundation Stone, Welcoming The Shabbat

Biblical Personalities: Yoash

“They bowed to the King (II Chronicles 24:17).” They said to him, “You are a deity, for otherwise you could not have spent six years hidden in the Holy of Holies, where the high priest enters but once a year, and even then

Tags: Bible, Biblical Personalities, commentaries, Midrash, Parsha, Portion of the Week, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, The Foundation Stone

Mishlei: Chapter 3: Selections from Rabbeinu Yonah

From notes prepared by Slavie Friedman: My son, forget not My instruction

After Solomon

Tags: Book of Wisdom, Chassidut, Kabbalah, Midrash, Mishlei, Proverbs, Rabbi Simcha Weinberg, Spiritual Insights, The Foundation Stone

Categories

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar: Paragraph Six

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar: Paragraph Five

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar: Paragraph Four

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar Paragraph Three

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar Paragraph Two

Hallel for Rosh Chodesh Adar Paragraph One

Pekudei: Netziv: The Poles of Malchut

Pikudei: Beit HaLevi: According to Instructions

Shabbat Psalm: 92:6-7

Shabbat Prayers: Morning Blessings of Shema: All Will Exalt You

Tehillim on the Parsha: Pekudei: The Dwelling of Your House

Tehillim on the Parsha: Pekudei: Great Deeds Without Limit Part Five

Tools for Growth: Shevet Mussar: Shabbat Humility

Shabbat Prayers: Pesukei d’Zimrah: Psalms 33:15: He Comprehends

Shabbat Prayers: Friday Night: You Sanctified

Pekudei: Rav Shimon Shkop: Generating Power

Shekalim: K’lil Tiferet

Six Constant Mitzvot: Orach LaTzaddik: Fear of Heaven

Rosh Chodesh Kavanot Adar II

Pikeudei: Ridvaz: Aharon’s Clothes

Shabbat Prayers: Kabbalat Shabbat Psalm 29:4

Biblical Personalities: Yoash

Mishlei: Chapter 3: Selections from Rabbeinu Yonah

Shekalim: Against a Negative

Pekudei: Rav Shimon Shkop: Generating Power

Tools for Growth: Shevet Mussar: Learning to Listen

Aleinu: Divrei Binah: Spark Collectors

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