“And then I fell in love with Torah and mitzvos.” That’s probably a quote from someone who was raised in an unaffiliated home and discovered Yiddishkeit later in life, right? We tend to bear this erroneous sentiment not because those of us who are raised frum can’t or don’t enjoy the same connection. In the…
Tips & Inspiration
11 Tips for Successful Zoom Meetings
Zoom meetings have become the new normal form of communication, but do you know the best way to set one up? For work, school or fun, we’ve all been Zooming the days away. But chances are we’re not always doing it the best way. So we called on a Zoom expert (ok, Esti’s brother) to…
What Hashem Wants from Us: The Sanzer Rebbe’s Unique Answer
This evening the Sanzer Rebbe of Erertz Yisroel addressed in Yiddish, via telephone conference, his kehilla of several thousand families. The Rebbe’s refreshing remarks can help us refocus our view and remind us what is important to emphasise amid the panic and worry brought about by Covid-19. The key takeaway is this: Hashem wants us…
How Not to Be So So Hard on Yourself – 10 Ways
You’re doing a great job. And the person who is telling you otherwise? It may just be you being hard on yourself. How do you combat those negative feelings of inadequacy? Here are 10 ways to rid those thoughts that drag you down—and be ready to take on the world with confidence and a smile….
Do You Ever Get Stuck in a Worry Trap?
Are you a worrier? Do you worry that you worry too much? If you or a loved one worry excessively, keep reading. There is a myth surrounding the idea of worry. People make the mistake and “think” that worrying about the future can help prevent harm by preparing themselves (for whatever they are worried about)…
What I Learned from Working on NShei HaSiyum
The pages are filled with lots of inspiring messages. But some messages of NShei HaSiyum stick out in my mind. Baruch Hashem, earlier this year, I was humbled to have been offered the opportunity to curate the content for a new publication that would be distributed at the Siyum HaShas: NShei HaSiyum, a magazine for…
Women and Tefillah: What Is Our Obligation?
When a woman is busy with children, what is her obligation to daven? And what tefillos take priority? By Rabbi Yehudah Roth As it is well known, women are exempt from mitzvas asei shehazman grama, mitzos that are time bound, such as tefillin, tzitzis and sukkah. However, the Mishna (Berachos 20a) says that while women…
It’s About the Relationship: Using This Time of Closeness to Get Even Closer to Our Father
Yiddishkeit isn’t a religion with rules. It’s a relationship with a connection. It’s Elul. It’s the season of Melech basadeh, so, so close, the time of Ani l’Dodi v’Dodi li. What better time to explore our relationship with Hashem and the missing ingredient that is draining Yiddishkeit of all of its meaning for so many…
What to Watch on Tisha B’av
UPDATED 2019: Links are updated with this year’s videos and new ones are added. Have a meaningful fast. -BCP You’re home with the kids, but you’re still thirsty for inspiration. Make the day meaningful with these inspiring videos, shiurim, and stories you can watch now. For Children (and You) Tisha B’Av Tales featuring Rabbi Yitzy…
It’s a Time of Mourning. But what if I don’t feel sad about the churban?
How to realize what we’re missing…and genuinely cry. The pool is closed, music speakers are stowed away, and meat is off the menu. In camp, our daughters chant, “The Nine Days, a time of tzarah; we don’t cheer, because we’re marah.” But what if we don’t feel that way? What if I’m just going through…