Holidays and Fast Days

This might just be the most emotional and inspiring article I’ve ever written. Take a moment to read it, and realize that the fire still burns inside of you, too.

When we study the message of Chanukah, we’ll discover the master key to earning a good living.

Chanukah is over; the Menorah stands empty and forlorn (or back it its box until next year). Here is how we can continue the light of Chanukah into the rest of the year!

There is a good reason why Chanukah is tied to both light, and education – true education only comes through light. Don’t fight the darkness – light a candle!

HOLOCAUST DAY is 21-Apr. If the guard was especially cruel, he won a visit to the camp brothel, made up of women inmates who were given more food...

There are hero stories and there are "Kiddush Hashem" stories, but the unprecedented true story of Major General Sidney Shachnow, ob"m, combines both and tops them all…

“You are a murderer of children, and I am not afraid of you," said the little girl. That girl was Anna Burda - my very special sister…

The Polish people were just as guilty as the Nazis for killing innocent Jews. The following story will show you a side of the Polish people very few of you know about…

The light of the fires on Lag B’Omer is the light of the Torah, and the light of Hashem. This light is in our souls, and it’s what is truly burning inside.

My husband and I had tickets for a bus from Beitar to Meron leaving at 1pm on Lag B'Omer. But hundreds of people were waiting, and there were no buses…

A person does everything to strengthen emuna and get closer to Hashem, only to find that life is even more difficult than it was before. What's going on?

Why do hundreds of thousands of people frequent Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai's holy gravesite in Meron every Lag B'Omer? They have someone to count on...

Freelancing is a lesson in humility with zero expectations. But the upside potential is also that much more. If only we could freelance with God…

Frustrated that you make the same goals every year with little change? Here are simple steps to ensure a favorable judgment for the coming year.

Along with the heat and the massive temptation to misuse our limbs, our eyes, and our minds, the summer ushers in the bloom of the dates, the pomegranates, and the olives.

Parents expect things from their children, and the children have their own expectations of summer break. Everyone is unhappy; what’s the solution?

On Shevi’i shel Pesach, Nachshon ben Aminadav’s emuna brought about the survival of an entire nation. Imagine that your emuna, your personal holiness, your interpersonal relationships, your teshuva can save every Jew on the planet! It is an auspicious time when the Creator helps us make new beginnings. Let’s take advantage of this opportune time!

In Nissan, we get a renewed desire to draw closer to our Father in Heaven. For this reason, Nissan is the month of teshuva me’ahava and the month of Redemption.

The “extras” we do in the course of performing mitzvot are rewarded in this world. What are those “extras”? We are rewarded for the amount of preparation, excitement, passion, joy, and love that we invest in a mitzvah.

Belief in ourselves is critical before we can extricate ourselves from all the bad in us. How can we focus on the good within without blurring the lines between good and evil?

It's easy to become distracted by the horrific realities in the Ukraine. Nevertheless, we must keep our focus on ensuring that Jews don't abandon Torah and mitzvot. This is the lesson from Mordecai!

I knew about the greatness of Purim and its holiness and about the greatness of joy on that day. On the other hand, I was aware of the widespread phenomena of drunk people who lose their human dignity. I found a sure-fire way to maintain an atmosphere of yirat Shamayim without reaching a state of dissoluteness and silliness.  

Celebrate Purim with these delicious recipes! This year, Purim is followed closely by Shabbat, so time spent cooking and baking is at a premium. We selected recipes that are easy and quick to make, can be made ahead, and can also be used at a Shabbat meal.

The main thing in the Mishkan was that the Jewish people felt they were all partners in this endeavor. Everyone contributed and engaged in the work according to his or her skills and abilities. How can we return to that level of unity today?

Don’t despair and don’t get depressed! This is the best Rosh Hashanah EVER! Don’t understand how? READ THIS URGENT MESSAGE FROM RABBI ARUSH FROM UMAN!

The lesson we can learn from this special request customarily recited on Rosh Hashanah is one particularly necessary for our generation…

Even though the tests get more difficult and the trials more demanding, never give up hope, let the battle cry of the Shofar remind you to keep going!

Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we close out the books for the old year, and start new books for the coming year, so that we start the year with a clean slate.

Acquiring the Torah is a daily task, not a one-time event. Shavuot was the catalyst for the regular, thorough work of receiving the Torah every day.

In life we have to count. When we want something, we wait and count, we set goals and count. Counting is a part of life.

Observing the commandments between man and fellow man must be every person's highest priority all year long - especially so during the Counting of the Omer.

Last year was the second year that I counted all the way through. But what is the inner significance or meaning of why each day needed to be counted?

In the final days before Shavuot, let's internalize the unique purpose of a Jew's life. When we accepted Torah on Mount Sinai and became Hashem's people, we were set aside from the other nations.

Oh no, it’s Rosh Chodesh Sivan - we have less than a week until Shavuot! I need to get my grocery list ready for major shopping. Maybe brisket? What kind of dairy course should I serve? I absolutely must find a new outfit - I can’t wear those rags any more...

What is our strongest weapon against those who want to destroy us? The spiritual energy of the Torah that we accepted at Har Sinai!

Rabbanit Arush gives us a moving tour of the burial site of King David. It's customary on Shavuot night and the next day to come here to pray and beg for mercy.

During a lecture in Ashdod for newly observant Israelis, I asked the participants to tell me the hardest things they ever did…

When we don't initiate teshuva on our own accord, Hashem – Who loves us so much – stimulates us. Often, He uses our wives as a prod, especially during the Shovevim weeks…

What happens if a person is displeased with his children because they refuse to observe the Shabbat, go with him to the synagogue, or behave in a manner that he wants them to?

Here's a song for us women that would be a befitting anthem for the Shovevim weeks, when we're all trying to get stronger in personal holiness and to get closer to Hashem.

Isn't it odd that we celebrate Succot now, after Yom Kippur? Chronologically, Succot should come after Pesach when the Succot were created in the desert.

Is it enough to be a Jew in your heart, without keeping Torah and mitzvot in practice? The blessing on the 4 species teaches us a powerful answer…

The sukkah is a segula to merit the Torah. This is why after Sukkot, all the people of Israel merit Simchat Torah - to rejoice, sing, and dance with the Torah.

While it is true that self-criticism has an important place, it is a big mistake to think that spiritual progress is going to happen from criticism.

It can be challenging to connect emotionally to something we’ve never seen, something that happened so long ago, but I want to encourage you that it is possible.

When we travel on the path of gratitude, the Evil Inclination sets up land mines and booby traps. How can we possibly succeed? Here are some simple suggestions...

Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat before 9th of Av, is an auspicious time to focus on love and unity in the Jewish people and the entire world. READ RABBI ARUSH'S SPECIAL MESSAGE...

Perhaps in light of losing Ronen and the fast approaching commemoration of the Temples’ destruction, we could find it in ourselves to strengthen our love between each other…

Can the modern man, armed with the latest generation of smartphone, connected to the internet and to hi-tech, relate to an arbor birthday or learn something from a humble tree?

A man is like a tree, and the most important thing is - water! Also find out why do we need to judge the trees at all?

Why did the Men of the Great Assembly who codified our liturgy use the term "plant us within our borders" rather than "settle us" or "place us"?

Throughout the history of our holy Land of Israel, tree-planting has been the hallmark of settlement as well as the symbol of absolute tranquility, security and peace…

Is there any significance that Israeli Independence Day is on 5-Iyar? You’ll be surprised at how closely that date is tied to Redemption! We dare not miss out on this golden opportunity...

Gideon Lichtman taught under the assumed name of "Rimon" after Israeli President Ezer Weizman warned him that he could be a target for Arab assassination…

Ben wanted to be one of those guys, but he knew that he had little chance of being accepted to Golani. He was out of shape and almost 90 pounds overweight…

In honor of Independence Day in Israel, read Yehudit Channen's candid (and often humorous) description of life in Israel. What a nation!!

One's own teshuva isn’t enough! Loving Hashem means to ease His suffering by helping one's fellow Jews find their way home as well.

When a plague hits, all who remain alive must realize that life is a gift from Heaven, and repentance cannot be postponed for a later day…

You might think that the Day of Atonement should be terrifying, begging for mercy at the feet of the King of Kings. But it is actually a day of love! A MUST READ!

We’ve got it all wrong. We think we need to repent for our sins. But the real repentance we need to do is even deeper than that – and much more simple to fix!

Hashem says: "I will not build Jerusalem, the Holy City, in Heaven until I build Jerusalem on earth." Watch a beautiful video by Rabbanit Arush.

28-Iyar: Yom Yerushalayim: I put my hand on the stones but the tears that flowed were not mine. They were the tears of all Israel, tears that scorched and burned the heavy gray stone.

Why are we once more faced with the threat of losing parts of Jerusalem, Heaven forbid? Each Jew has a share in Jerusalem, the heart and focal point of our people…

Oh Jerusalem, my precious and beloved Jerusalem! Despite the decades of living here in the King's palace, it is still thrilling...