Jewish Holidays

The Gemara says the two best days of the year are the 15th of Av and Yom Kippur. The 15th of Av is "Love Day," a special day conducive to finding soulmates. But Yom Kippur? What's so great about a 25-hour fast? It's Soul Day, the day of the year when the soul parties…

Learning the Book of Ruth is a superb preparation for the imminent coming of Moshiach. The monumental example of Ruth and her lineage show us the extreme efforts that the Almighty makes in order bring Moshiach. The forces of evil do everything in their power to prevent Moshiach's arrival. Today's lesson introduces us to the Book of Ruth and its background and covers Chapter One.

The Seder night is when we tell the story of our Exodus from Egypt. This is one of the Torah's 613 commandments that one can fulfill only once a year on the first night of Passover. The Zohar and the Gemara laud the amazing attributes of this mitzvah. It strengthens emuna and solidifies the family. In addition, it enhances one's inner joy, especially when we tell of the Exodus as if we were there...

The account of the four sons in the Passover Haggadah is like a kaleidoscope where we see many different images. We see how four general types of people relate to emuna. What's more, we learn about four facets that are in each of us. As such, the Passover Seder and the story of the Exodus are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.

On the eve of the Exodus, it wasn't enough for someone to say, "I have emuna in my heart. I don't need all these rituals." A person like that would have died in Egypt on Passover night. Hashem wanted the Israelites to be proactive in fulfilling His commandments...

Rebbe Nachman reveals the secret of the Tikkun HaKlali, the general remedy. The human body has ten types of pulse, which correspond to the ten types of song. The ten types of song are the key to inner happiness. So is the matzah we eat on Passover…

Passover is a story of emuna. Many things we are about to say sound like outright exaggerations to the logical 21st-century ear. Yet, emuna is beyond logic. Our entire history defies logic.

The Book of Esther is a living blueprint: the Purim story—unfolding over 13 years—reveals patterns that mirror today’s geopolitics and upheavals, showing how Hashem’s hidden hand directs history.
Using parallels between Ahashverosh and modern leaders, and the choices of Mordecai and Esther, the episode emphasizes teshuva, faith, and how apparent threats can become redemptive when people repent and trust God.
The lesson also reviews Purim customs (fasting, reading the Megillah, feasting, gifts and charity) and the holiday’s core message that no decree is irreversible and divine providence remains constant.

Many people with acute difficulties in life are worrying that they can't prepare for the upcoming holidays the way they might want to. Yet, we must serve Hashem with all of life's difficulties. Know full well that it's Hashem Who is challenging us with the difficulties...

Few people realize that America owes its independence to one of George Washington's soldiers who lit Chanukah candles at Valley Forge in Chanukah of 1777 (5538). Here's the amazing story: 

The mere idea of Yom Kippur is enough to raise the anxiety level of many people; that's because no one ever explained to them how Yom Kippur is the happiest day in the Jewish calendar. For real? Hear this.

Why do we blow the shofar on Rosh Hashanah? What's the connection between the shofar and Moshiach? Our sages provide some eye-opening answers that tell us exactly what's happening today...