Blog
In Jerusalem, Fruits and Veggies Left Out and Nobody Steals
Tonight, as I often do, I went on a long walk through Jerusalem’s religious neighborhoods. And again I noticed something that awes me every time I see it. In these neighborhoods it is standard practice for grocery stores to leave out 1000s of dollars of fresh produce at night, even over an entire Shabbat. Thousands of years ago Hashem instructed us “Don’t steal,” And these grocery store owners’ surprising choice is living proof that Hashem’s command is a more effective deterrent for these...
read moreThe Spiritual Secrets of Formula 409 Cleaning Spray by Reb. Shira Smiles
Reflecting on the 2 spiritual highlights of her year, Reb. Smiles mentions the Chofetz Chaim and discovering 409 Cleaning Spray at an Israeli supermarket. Reb. Smiles’ powerful message is giving me chizuk RIGHT NOW! You failed once? Twice? 408 times? Don’t give up! Shabbat...
read moreAn Ordinary Extraordinary Shabbat
Last Friday evening we hosted the extended family of a bar mitzvah boy from LA. 18 people in all. Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles and cousins. On Friday afternoon the family’s tour guide called to convey an urgent request: the group members are very strict about not eating pork. Could we please refrain from including pig-products in any of our dishes? We assured the guide that that would be no problem whatsoever. We loved this family from the moment we met them. How wow, we thought, for an entire family to come to Israel all...
read moreThe Shehechiyanu Heard Round the World
Earlier today, a young man who is very, very dear to my family stood underneath a chuppah with his new bride. This wedding is taking place in Avnei Hefetz, in the northwestern corner of the Shomron. The kind of place Israelis refer to as “the end of the World, turn left.” But when I heard Eidan’s earthshaking Shehechiyanu I prayed that it will continue to infuse love and life into his marriage with Nitsan, his wonderful new bride, until 120. In fact, may this this Shehechiyanu be heard round the world, and spread life and...
read moreThe 2 Foundations of Marriage: Love and Washing Dishes
I’m writing this from the wedding of Hovav and Hallel, the couple that my daughter set up. Wow! Do I love being the mother of the shadchanit! It adds such a special rush of excitement to an already amazing simcha! I wanted to share a highlight from the beautiful chuppah, Hallel and Hovav glowing, the sun setting over the Judean Hills in the background. At one point Hallel’s brother and sister-in-law, Elad and Shira Sadot, were called up to the chuppah to recite 2 blessings. Elad recited one of the traditional 7 Blessings and Shira...
read moreBiometric Passports and Covering Our Eyes During Shema by Reb. Shira Smiles
There’s only one Hashem, and there’s only one you.
read moreWhen Your Child Wants to Play Monopoly by Amit and Nadav Naveh
In honor of Father’s Day, another highly relatable video from this hilarious father-son duo.
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Sure-to-Make-You-Smile Tefilat Chana by Ruchama ben Yosef
For the last few weeks I’ve been doing something I’ve wanted to do for a long time, I’ve been listening my way through the entire Bible (as an audio book) from start to finish. Today I got to Chana’s prayer which she says after she gave birth to Shmuel and dedicates him to a lifetime of Divine service in the Tabernacle. And for me, as I sorted laundry, this prayer transported me to a place of glorious gratitude, along with Chana as she rejoiced over her salvation, a long-awaited release from 19 years of infertility and...
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