Mishlei & Modern Psychology- 3:5-10 - Oct 30, 2019 - In an unexpected piece of advice, Shlomo Hamelech urges us not to rely on the wisdom he’s encouraged us to accumulate in the first 2 chapters. In doing so, he explains the benefits of humility and the pitfalls of overconfidence. We focused on the importance of seeing Hashem in everything we do. In the last couple pesukim, we learned how giving to others will ensure getting more from Hashem, as He’d know He can trust us.

Peshischa on the Parsha: Starting if the year with a new perspective - Oct 11, 2019 - The Chiddushei HaRim explains that ‘binu shnos Dor vador’ means that our understanding of life -and therefore Torah- changes each year. The Shem MiShmuel explains that the word ‘bashana’ in describing Sukkos means that the joy on Sukkos supplements the lack of joy for all mitzvos throughout the year. The way we start this year, with our newfound perspective after yamim noraim sets the tone for the rest of this year’s avodas Hashem.

Legends & Lessons: R’ Akiva Eiger nd Chasam Sofer - Oct 11, 2019 - Both legends in their own right, R’ Akiva Eiger and the Chasam Sofer followed similar trajectories. Both from rabbinic families, both born within 11 months of each other, they originally got to know each other through rabbinic correspondence. Ultimately, when Chasam Sofer wife passed away, R’ Akiva Eiger set him up with his daughter, whose husband passed away. With extreme humility, they each led the Jewish people in turbulent times, and even until today.

Peshischa on the Parsha: Hashem Wants Us Close - Oct 4, 2019 - In 3 separate ideas, we explained that Hashem gives us reminders that He wants us to be close to Him. We discussed how Hashem gives us reward for something we would already do- bringing our kids with us to the Beis HaMikdash (Kotzker). We read how our punishments come once one claims Hashem is not within us (R’ Bunim). Lastly we learned that Hashems most severe punishment is hiding the fact that He’s hiding (Chiddushei HaRim). If we can feel the distance then we’ll yearn to have Him again. But if we can’t feel the distance, we may never reconnect.

Peshischa on the Parsha: Taking Our Achievements with Us - Sep 27, 2019 - In an idea similar to Rav Tzadok, the Shem MiShmuel discusses the transition of Moshe Rabbeinu to Yehoshua. Taking it a step further, he explains that Moshe created a tangible monument to remind the people of the heartfelt commitment to Torah and mitzvos. Even when the lifestyle in Eretz Yisrael changes, they should maintain what they’ve achieved. And so it is as we transit from one year to the next.

Nitzavim, Shofar & Mezuzah: The Buffer We need to start anew - Sep 26, 2019 - Despite the Gemara saying that Ki Savo’s curses must be read before Rosh Hashanah, why do we also always read Nitzavim? One possibility might lie in the parallel the Rambam seems to draw between shofar and mezuzah: it serves ‘to wake up those who slumber’ in the futile pursuits of life. We suggest that perhaps it’s not good enough to transition ‘on-the-go’, but that one needs a buffer, a pause, to regroup and recalibrate a new frame of mind. This is the “matzevah” of Nitzavim, the threshold of the mezuzah, and the alarm of the shofar- stopping in your tracks to reset before starting anew.