"Nedaray Ashalem", "My vows I will pay" (Hallel). Which vows is the verse referring to? When King David was fleeing and wandering in exile, he vowed that if God would return
Solomon now begins the actual text of Proverbs: “The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge; foolish ones scorn wisdom and discipline.” (Proverbs 1:7) Solomon both begins
When does something achieve the status of a miracle? It is almost universal for parents holding their newborn in their arms for the first time to believe that they experienced a miracle. The first smile, the first crawl, the first steps are usually celebrated and...
The blessing of “Modim” is filled with the expression of our gratitude for all that God is constantly giving us. It is also an acknowledgment of the purpose of creation, which is Tov- that
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: Come and see how the nature of The Holy One, Blessed Is He, differs from the nature of a mortal. For the nature of a mortal is to cause
Just as the first blessing of the Amidah, Avot, is the development of existence from God, Blessed is He, so, too, is the blessing of Modim an expression of gratitude for all existence that derives
The Modim D’Rabbanan – the Modim we recite during the repetition of the Amidah – ends with a strange phrase, “That we thank You.” Why do we thank God for the fact that we thank Him?
The Al Hanissim of Chanukah has 124 words corresponding to the numerical value of Yochanan, the grandfather of the Chashmonaim. Some texts have 125 words corresponding to the
The Al Hanissim of Chanukah has 124 words corresponding to the numerical value of Yochanan, the grandfather of the Chashmonaim. Some texts have 125 words corresponding to the
Every blessing begins in second person, “You,” and immediately switches to third person, “The One Who Is.” This is to teach us two things: The first is the God is humble, and therefore
How can a human being emulate God, Who is, “Righteous in all His ways?” (Psalms 145) When he builds a home he has a choice before him: Does he rejoice in being able to have a home for
The 27th of Kislev is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Chaim (Tirar) Tchernovitz (or Chernovitzer) (1760-1816), author of Be’er Mayim Chaim. Born near Butchatch, Galicia (now Poland), he
The blessings that went before look to the future. They are prayers for the bestowal of the many gifts and favors that will serve to sustain and further our lives both as individuals and as members
Hallel is one of the three main Mitzvot of Chanukah. The Foundation Stone is pleased to offer these links to The Foundation Stone Hallel Series Hallel Shorts Singing With God The Music of Halacha: The Focus of Hallel Part Two The Music of Halacha: The...
“You have changed for me my lament into dancing…” Where do we find dancing in the Bible? – During the crossing of the Sea, Miriam danced. What was different between Miriam’s song
Is there a way to strengthen our Prayer? The Midrash continues: “Hence, whenever a person suffers for a cause, it is called by his name. We find that this was true for Moses. He suffered grief
The Chanukah custom is to recite Psalm 30 each morning at the conslusion of prayers. We offer some insights into this important Psalm: “Rabbi Huna taught: “I have regarded iniquity by