This essay presents Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Gellman’s exploration of the Mei HaShiloach’s teachings on the Akeida that appears in his book “The Fear, the Trembling, and the Fire.” There may be some embellishments but all the primary elements of the thesis are his.[1] Torah Reading for Second Day Rosh HaShanaRosh HaShana 5778 / 2017 Sarah Yehudit Schneider The Akeida is a tale of incomprehensible faith. As the story goes: The Holy One commands Avraham to build an altar and offer his

This Chanukka teaching is dedicated to Yaku, daughter of Heltcha: “Thank you for sharing your light with this world. May blessings of love and healing always be with you on your journeys.” …Karin Chanukka 2017/5778 Sarah Yehudit Schneider The candles of Chanukka are different from those of other special days. On Chanukah the candles are the essence of the day, its central (and only) mitzvah. On Shabbat and festivals the candles are auxiliary to the main rituals specified for

by Suri Tyler, Jerusalem 1992Jerusalem Post Weekend Magazine July 31, 1992 After many years of great poverty, which did not shake his faith in the loving-kindness of his Creator, Rabbi Eisik, son of Rabbi Yekel dreamed someone bade him look for a treasure in Prague, under the bridge which leads to the king’s palace. When the dream recurred a third time, Rabbi Eisik understood that he should follow its advice. And so he prepared for his journey and set out for the capital city

Tu B’Shvat, 5778 / 2018 Sarah Yehudit Schneider All the trees of the field (שִֹיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה) did not yet exist on the earth, and all the wild plants had not yet sprouted. This was because God had not brought rain on the earth, and there was no human to work the ground. [Gen 2:5.]וְכֹל | שִֹיחַ הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִהְיֶה בָאָרֶץ וְכָל-עֵשֶֹב הַשָּׂדֶה טֶרֶם יִצְמָח כִּי לֹא הִמְטִיר יְי ﭏהִים עַל-הָאָרֶץ וְאָדָם אַיִן לַעֲבֹד אֶת-הָאֲדָמָהSIACH HASADEH (TREES OF THE FIELD) …The

Purim 2018 Sarah Yehudit Schneider The Talmud asks: “Why did the Jews of that generation deserve extermination? Because they derived pleasure [נהנו] from the feast of that wicked one [Achashverosh].” [TB Megila 12a]The Talmud doesn’t say “because they ate” – this the Jews could justify by claiming they were subject to royal decree and would risk their lives by refusing to attend the feast. Rather their sin was that they enjoyed the banquet and partook of it with gusto. [Pirc

Purim 2018 / 5778 Sarah Yehudit Schneider The Talmud asks: “Why did the Jews of that generation deserve extermination? Because they derived pleasure [נהנו] from the feast of that wicked one [Achashverosh].” [TB Megila 12a]The Talmud doesn’t say “because they ate” – this the Jews could justify by claiming they were subject to royal decree and would risk their lives by refusing to attend the feast. Rather their sin was that they enjoyed the banquet and partook of it with gust