Rabbi Liff tells the story of a Karlin-Stolin chassid at the Kosel whose tefillah was interrupted by a petek that fell into his hand. The note did not ask for anything; it simply thanked Hashem for health, parnasah, and nachas, turning the moment into a lesson for the Three Weeks.

Rabbi Liff opens with a story from davening at the Kosel this Erev Shabbos Kodesh during the Three Weeks — a petek that fell into the hand of a Karlin-Stolin chassid with a note that simply said "thank You." From there he turns to Parshas Pinchas, exploring why Pinchas is rewarded with a bris shalom rather than praise for the act itself, and what that teaches about the real halachos of kanaus. Drawing on Rav Sternbuch's teaching about Reb Leib Stravisker, the Seret Vishnitz kollel's learning outside the assistant attorney general's office, and stories of Rav Amram Blau and Rav Yechezkel Abramsky, he lays out when zealotry is proper and when it becomes a chillul Hashem. This episode is for anyone thinking about how to respond to conflict — within the frum world or outside it — without losing sight of shalom.

Rabbi Liff explains the bracha of "Ma tovu ohalecha Yaakov, mishkenosecha Yisrael" through Rashi and the Sforno. The ohalim of Torah and the batei knesios are not only good for those inside them; they bring good to all of Klal Yisrael.

Rabbi Liff shares a story from Rav Avraham Shmuelevitz about the Alter of Slabodka saying "good morning" even when the neighbor could not hear him. The story shows that being meitiv to another Yid is not only for the other person's benefit; it is an avodah that shapes the person who gives.

Rabbi Liff connects Parshas Balak to the beginning of the Three Weeks, showing how Bilaam's inner corruption stands opposite the ayin tovah of Avraham Avinu and Aharon HaKohen. The episode turns on "Ma tovu ohalecha Yaakov," explaining that the ohalim of Torah and tefillah do not only sustain those inside them; they bring good to all of Klal Yisrael.

He also reflects on the yahrtzeit of Rav Avraham Shmuelevitz, sharing memories and teachings about being meitiv to others, seeing another Yid's pain, and preparing for the Three Weeks with sincerity rather than comfort. The central call is to see the mailos chaveirecha and rebuild the inner shalom that is the foundation of the Beis HaMikdash.

## Key Sources / Stories

- Mishnah Avos: talmidim of Avraham Avinu versus talmidim of Bilaam HaRasha.

## Parsha Connection

Parshas Balak gives the contrast between Balak and Bilaam's hatred and Klal Yisrael's inner strength: Torah, tefillah, tznius, and ayin tovah. Rabbi Liff uses that contrast to enter the Three Weeks with a focus on ahavas Yisrael and seeing the goodness in another Yid.

We examine how current events remind us that our reliance must be entirely on Hashem, not on political leaders or nations. The parsha teaches us about speaking to the rock instead of striking it, and how even Moshe Rabbeinu had to learn that during times of crisis, we must turn to Torah and Hashem's will above all else. Originally produced by JFoundations.

Rabbi Liff reflects on building a Bayis Nehmeh B'Yisrael, drawing from his recent trip to America for a family wedding. He connects this to the deeper spiritual work needed when establishing a Jewish home and nation, touching on current events in Eretz Yisrael during this time between Shavuos and the Three Weeks. Originally produced by JFoundations.

Rabbi Liff explores why Klal Yisrael slept before Matan Torah and what this teaches us about the nature of Torah study. He shares that Torah is not prophecy but requires our active toil and effort, and reflects on memories of Rav Moshe Feinstein at Shavuos.

Rabbi Liff discusses how Klal Yisrael prepared for Matan Torah through the counting of the Omer, and how the forty years in the desert were a preparation for entering Eretz Yisrael. He shares a personal story from his recent trip to America, including leading a minyan at Newark airport and saying Kaddish at Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Baltimore in honor of his mother's memory. Originally produced by JFoundations.

Rabbi Liff shares memories of his late father on his yahrzeit, reflecting on how his father's early loss as a young yeshiva student led him to embrace mussar and become a great talmid chacham. He also tells a story about Rav Baruch Mordechai Ezrahi and the meaning of being a musernik. Originally produced by JFoundations.