Foundations of Judaism

A secular Arab Affairs Israeli reporter was in constant contact with a leader of Arab terrorists. The Arab's frank words about Jews to the reporter completely upended him, to the point of him doing teshuvah. A true story that helps us examine our level of emuna and quality of life.

Imagine hitting a green light at every street intersection so that you smoothly drive down the open road. If only real life could be like that! Read Rebbe Nachman’s Advice on how to make such a dream into reality... 

All beginnings of anything are difficult, but all the more so with hitbodedut (personal prayer). Read Rabbi Arush's great advice that really works!

Elul ... Rosh Hashanah ... teshuvah ... judgment... Who doesn't have inner resistance to taking stock of his life? After all, I have so many deficiencies and so many failures. Rabbi Arush gives a sure-fire solution to winning a positive judgment!

Is stubbornness a good trait or not? It depends... The Kalever Rebbe describes how the stubbornness of Jewish women in Egypt brought about their redemption. May it be so for us as well!

We come with a loving call to all Daughters of Israel! I ask you from the bottom of my heart – for Hashem’s honor and for all our brethren who are in trouble – do your part, and with your tzniut you make this whole world a brighter one.

The strength of the Jewish people lies in its holiness and modesty.  Rabbi Arush turns to all readers who want to do the greatest thing for the Jewish People, for our soldiers, and for our existence! 

When a lie is repeated often in public and with a sense of pride, conviction, and confidence, people begin to accept that lie as a truth. The Kalever Rebbe explains how a hedonistic culture successfully uses this strategy to erode Jewish values.

In our era where words travel at the speed of light, guarding the sanctity of speech is more relevant than ever. Speech is a great tool to unite and elevate us all!

In today's toxic environment, every mitzvah that you keep is extraordinarily precious! It gives Hashem tremendous gratification when you withstand the impure traits of the nations that surround you. 

If a person stretches and pushes himself to perform a mitzvah when it is difficult, eventually he will unleash that mitzvah's sweetness. He will begin to thoroughly enjoy that mitzvah with a true, unmatched pleasure.

Following Hashem’s laws makes you more spiritually sensitive. Start with small, easy laws that you’re probably already doing, and then slowly take on another and another. This is the spiritual journey of Jewish Law – you can scale mountains! 

Rabbi Arush's message for everyone: Even if your life looks like a nightmare, go to Hashem and say: “You love me and do only good for me, and I will have even better and better”. You will see how all harsh judgments sweeten. 

Often it happens that when a person begins to do teshuvah, his life becomes very difficult. Problems seem to appear from nowhere! Why should such things happen to a person who is trying to come closer to Hashem?! The Kalever Rebbe explains the ultimate blessing in these tests...

Knowing that Hashem always loves you is the basis of everything – from your feelings of self-worth all the way to your bitul to the tzaddik. Your spiritual growth depends on believing how dear you are to Hashem, and that Hashem’s love for you is never endangered.

What is common to a woman having complications during birth, a motorcycle rider with a dead motorcycle, and a parent sitting in the principal’s office? Answer: They all sang and were saved! Read some true stories of emuna, hope, and salvation! 

Date of Passing: 15-Cheshvan. The Chazon Ish devoted his life to the study of Torah, although he also learned astronomy, anatomy, and mathematics, since...

Date of Passing: 23-Av. The Steipler's magnum opus was the "Kehilas Yaakov" containing his unique analysis of most of the tractates and concepts of the Talmud.

Date of Passing: 9-Av. Rabbi Yaacov Yitzchak HaLevi Horowitz, the Chozeh of Lublin, is one of the truly beloved figures of Chassidism. He merited the cognomen of Chozeh...

Date of Passing: 3-Tammuz. The seventh leader in the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty is considered to have been the most phenomenal Jewish personality of modern times. "The Rebbe" is undoubtedly the one individual more than any other singularly responsible for stirring the conscience and spiritual awakening of world Jewry.

Celebrating Shabbat with the right kind of joy brings This special day calls for special happiness! Let’s bring that joy into the rest of our week. 

We do not need to look for loopholes to circumvent the laws of Shabbat to earn money, even to use that money for a mitzvah. Hashem despises any mitzvah that is performed at the cost of desecrating Shabbat. 

A seed turns into a stalk of wheat, a wheat kernel into flour, and finally the flour into Shabbat challah - a journey that reflects partnership with the Divine, celebration of creation, and eternal gratitude to Hashem!

Want to build strong merits for your fellow Jews but long fasts and rolling in the snow isn't practical? Rabbi Arush gives a surprisingly simple (and pleasant) way to help our brethren.