Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in live from Israel to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Devarim as well as the upcoming observance  of the fast of Tisha B'av, elaborating on the various laws… Read more

    In the introduction to the words Moshe spoke to the nation shortly before his death, the Torah tells us that they were said “after he smote Sichon and Og” (D’varim 1:4). Rashi explains why Moshe waited until after Sichon and Og were defeated before beginning his rebuke: “Moshe said, ‘if I rebuke them… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in live from Israel to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Masei and the upcoming "9 days" observance that begins Monday, July 28/Rosh Chodesh Av.   Click the Picture… Read more

“Whomever smites a soul, through witnesses shall the killer be killed, and one witness shall not answer about a soul to be killed” (Bamidbar 35:30). Although the information gleaned from a straightforward reading of this verse would be that (a) witnesses are necessary for a murderer to be executed and (b) one witness is not… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in live from Israel to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed the parsha of Mattos elaborating on the primacy and efficacy of prayer.   Click the Picture to check out… Read more

    “And they attacked Midyan… and they killed Bilam the son of B’or” (Bamidbar 31:7-8). Being that after his failed attempt to curse Israel Bilam had returned home (24:25) to Aram (23:7), we wouldn’t have expected him to be in Midyan when G-d commanded Moshe to take revenge against them. The most widely quoted… Read more

  When the Torah lists the families of each Tribe counted for the census taken in the 40th year in the desert (Bamidbar 26:5-50), it closely resembles the list of the “seventy souls” who left Canaan to live (temporarily) in Egypt (B’raishis 46:9-25). As a matter of fact, Rashi (Bamidbar 26:24) tells us that these… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed the parsha of Pinchas.   Click the Picture to check out Rabbi Yudin’s new book on the Torah portions entitled: “Rabbi Benjamin Yudin on… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed the parsha of  Balak.   Click the Picture to check out Rabbi Yudin’s new book on the Torah portions entitled: “Rabbi Benjamin Yudin on… Read more

   “And Israel attached itself to Ba’al P’or, and G-d’s wrath raged against Israel. And G-d said to Moshe, ‘take all the leaders of the people and impale them in the presence of the sun’ so that the raging wrath of G-d against Israel will be reversed. And Moshe said to the judges of Israel,… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed the parsha of Chukas elaborating on the importance of hakoras hatov (feeling/expressing appreciation). In light of Rosh Chodesh Tamuz being observed on Shabbos and… Read more

    This week’s piece is being written in memory of my brother-in-law, Mordecai Eis, z”l, who was niftar this past Shabbos. (That doesn’t mean he would approve of what I’ll write; as a matter of fact I’m fairly certain that my brother, l’havdil bein chayim l’chayim, will not.) At the levaya, one of my nephews… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed the parsha of Korach elaborating on the importance of having true friends that will strengthen and support each other in their avodas HaBorei (serving… Read more

    “And Dasan and Aviram went out standing in front of their tents, [along with] their wives, children and infants” (Bamidbar 17:27). In what may be the first attempt at using human shields, these sinners not only didn’t repent, but had their families stand right where Moshe had just warned the rest of the nation… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed the parsha of Shelach elaborating on lessons of the episode with the spies and their seeming lack of emunah (faithfulness). Rabbi Yudin emphasized the… Read more

    “And Moshe sent them from the Desert of Paran according to G-d’s instructions. All of them were [significant] men; they were heads of the Children of Israel” (Bamidbar 13:3). Rashi explains that the intelligence officers sent to scout out the Promised Land were referred to as “significant men“ because, at this time, they were… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed the parsha of B'Haaloscha elaborating on the Menorah and how it manifests in our lives and Torah observance. Rabbi Yudin also discussed the significance… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed the Holiday of Shavuos elaborating on its various laws and customs. Rabbi Yudin emphasized the importance of making the experience at Sinai a relevant… Read more

    “And they (plural) traveled from Refidim, and they (plural) came to the Desert of Sinai, and they (plural) camped in the desert, and Israel camped (singular) opposite the mountain” (Sh’mos 19:2). The contrast between how the nation is described before they got to Mt. Sinai, using plural terms to indicate that there were separate… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Naso elaborating on the concept that every individual has unique abilities, and their mission in life will be best fulfilled with those abilities.… Read more

    “And these cursed waters will enter your innards to inflate the stomach and collapse the thigh” (Bamidbar 5:22). Not a pretty sight, to be sure, and one that seems to go against the laws of nature. So much so that the Ramban (5:20) writes: “And behold in all of the Torah’s laws there is… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Bamidbar elaborating on the manner in which the levi'im had to approach the vessels of the mishkan and the lesson of reverence we… Read more

    Parashas Bamidbar is full of numbers (pun intended). Not just the number of adult males in each Tribe, but also the number of adult males in each “Degel”(encampments/formations comprised of three Tribes). Since we were already given the total number of adult males in each Tribe, shouldn’t we only need  to be told which… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Bechukosay and Lag BaOmer (coming up on Sat. night/Sunday) elaborating on a Jew's ability to "rise above nature" through Torah study and observance.… Read more

    Each Sefer of Chumash operates within defined historical parameters. Sefer B’reishis starts with creation and ends with the Children of Israel in Egypt. Sefer Sh’mos starts with this nascent nation being subjugated by its host, describes G-d taking them out of Egypt and giving them the Torah, and concludes with G-d dwelling among them… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Behar elaborating on the unique nature of the mitzvos of shemittah and their placement in this week's parsha. Click the Picture to check… Read more

    One of the laws of Yovel, the Jubilee year, is that property that was sold is automatically returned to its original owner (Vayikra 25:28). However, this does not apply to all property, as houses that are within walled cities (“walled” meaning that it was walled when the land was conquered by Yehoshua and “city”… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Emor elaborating on the counting of the Omer and the land of Israel's role in the "levels of Holiness." Click the Picture to… Read more

    “And the entire congregation shall stone him” (Vayikra 24:14). Since it is a logistical impossibility to have “the entire congregation” participate in the stoning of the sinner convicted of committing a capital offense (not to mention how extremely dangerous having hundreds of thousands of people throwing stones simultaneously would be), and it is inconsistent with… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to this morning’s JM in the AM to deliver his weekly Torah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Kedoshim elaborating on the relationship between the parsha and the fascinating writings of Rav Ephraim Oshry in his שאלות ותשובות ממעמקים (Responsa from… Read more

    “You shall be holy, for holy, am I, Hashem your G-d” (Vayikra 19:2). What is “holiness”? Rashi, based on Vayikra Rabbah (24:4 and 6), explains that being “holy” means “being removed (separated) from illicitness and sin, for wherever you find protection [built to prevent] illicitness [discussed] you [also] find holiness [mentioned].” Rashi and the… Read more

 Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the holiday of Pesach, elaborating on the various laws and customs that we will observing. In part 1, Rabbi Yudin discussed Shabbos HaGadol and the first days of Pesach including an in-depth look… Read more

 Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Acharei-Mos and Shabbos HaGadol elaborating on the connection between Shabbos, Pesach, the torah Portion and the counting of the Omer. Rabbi… Read more

    “The judgment of the Egyptians [lasted for] 12 months” (Eiduyos 2:10). There is much discussion about what this “judgment” consisted of, and how it could have lasted for 12 months. The starting point for much of the discussion is Rashi’s explanation of the “seven days” given for length of the plague of blood (Sh’mos 7:25);… Read more

  Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Metzora elaborating on the connection between the tzoraas ("leprosy") malady and the cleaning of our homes that is taking place… Read more

“And I (G-d) will put an affliction of tzora’as in a house in the land that you possess” (Vayikra 14:34). Ramban says that the expression “and I (G-d) will put the affliction” is used to indicate that the “tzora’as” of houses is not a natural occurrence, but is specifically “placed” there by G-d to indicate… Read more

  Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Tazria and the special extra reading of Parshas HaChodesh. Rabbi Yudin emphasized the importance of appreciating people's uniqueness, thus realizing… Read more

    There are three general categories of the affliction referred to as “tzora’as,” the skin condition that afflicts people, the fungus-like affliction that affects materials, and the fungus-like affliction that affects buildings. For each category there is a procedure to first identify whether “tzora’as” is present, a procedure to be followed if it has been… Read more

  Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Parah and Shmini elaborating on the connection between these two readings that will take be taking place. Rabbi Yudin focused… Read more

    “And they (Nadav and Avihu) brought a foreign fire before G-d” (Vayikra 10:1). “And a fire went out from before G-d and consumed them, and they died before G-d (10:2). Most (e.g. Toras Kohanim 3:1:22, see Rabbeinu Bachye) are of the opinion that Nadav and Avihu brought this “strange fire” into the inner sanctum… Read more

  Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed Purim and Parshas Zachor elaborating on the various laws and customs of the Holiday. Rabbi Yudin spoke about the proper perspective… Read more

    “And these days of Purim will not expire from among the Jews” (Esther 9:28). The Midrash (Socher Tov, Mishlay 9:2) understands these words to mean that even though in the “next world” other holidays will no longer be observed, Purim will be. Similarly, the Yerushalmi (Megila 1:5) says that the other books of the… Read more

 Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Vayikra, elaborating on the importance of a community's chevra kadishah ( Jewish Burial Society) and its relationship to this Motzei Shabbos,… Read more

    “And He (G-d) called to Moshe” (Vayikra 1:1). “The ‘aleph’ of ‘and He called’ is small because Moshe wanted to write ‘and He happened upon’ (which has the same letters as ‘and He called,’ without the ‘aleph’), the way it’s said [regarding G-d’s communication] with Bilam (Bamidbar 23:4 and 23:16), [to make it seem]… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed Parshas Pekudei, elaborating on the blessing that Moshe gave the people upon their completion of the construction of the Mishkan. Rabbi Yudin… Read more

“And B'tzalel the son of Uri the son of Chur of the Tribe of Yehudah did all that G-d had commanded Moshe” (Sh’mos 38:22). There’s a missing link in this chain of command; since G-d commanded Moshe, who then commanded B'tzalel, the verse should have said “and B'tzalel did all that Moshe had commanded him.”… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Vayakhel. Rabbi Yudin emphasized the importance of maintaining the proper frame of mind when doing or giving for others...that the one… Read more

   When listing the vessels that G-d commanded us to make for the Mishkan, the Shulchan (table, upon which the “showbread” was kept) is mentioned along with “all of its vessels” (Sh’mos 35:13). The outer altar and “all of its vessels,” are also mentioned (35:16). However, for the Menorah (35:14), rather than “all of its vessels,”… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Ki Sisa and Purim Katan elaborating on the importance of life, and every moment's potential for closeness to the Almighty. Rabbi… Read more

  Upon seeing the nation worshipping the golden calf (Sh’mos 32:19), Moshe shattered the Luchos, the stone tablets that were “G-d’s handiwork, with G-d’s writing engraved into them” (32:16). This “writing” was, at the very least, the “Ten Commandments,” the directives G-d spoke during His public revelation on Mt. Sinai (see D’varim 4:13 and Rashi… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Tetzaveh. Rabbi Yudin emphasized the importance of performing good deeds for others with sensitivity and care for the feelings of the… Read more

  The olive oil for the Menorah must be “pure” (Sh’mos 27:20), i.e. the first drops that come out of the olives (see Rambam, Hilchos Isuray Mizbayach 7:8-9). What about the rest of the oil that can be squeezed out of the olives? It can be used for the “m’nachos,” the meal-offerings brought in the… Read more

 Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Terumah elaborating on the importance of effort over "success" in service of the Almighty. Click the Picture to check out Rabbi… Read more

“And into the Ark shall you place the Testimony that I will give you” (Sh’mos 25:21). This is the second time within the instructions for the Ark that G-d told Moshe to put “the Testimony” (referring to the Luchos, the stone tablets with the “Ten Commandments” carved into/through them; it also refers to the Torah,… Read more

 Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Mishpatim elaborating on the significance of the extra "vav" that begins the parsha. Rabbi Yudin emphasized how studying the various laws… Read more

“Behold I am sending a messenger before you” (Sh’mos 23:20). Rashi explains this “messenger” to be the angel who would have been sent to lead the nation after the sin of the golden calf had Moshe not pleaded with G-d that He should still lead the nation Himself (Sh’mos 33:15-16 and 34:9). This angel eventually did… Read more

  Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in live from Beit Shemesh, Israel to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Yisro elaborating on the last of the Ten Commandments, "Do not covet..." Rabbi Yudin emphasized… Read more

  “And Yisro rejoiced over all of the good that G-d did for Israel” (Sh’mos 18:9). In the Mechilta (quoted by Midrash HaGadol), Rabbi Eliezer describes the “good” that Yisro was told applies to the Children of Israel: “They said to him, ‘G-d is going to give us the Land of Israel, the World to… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in live from Beit Shemesh, Israel to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Beshalach elaborating on the "splitting of the sea" and the subsequent shirah, "song at the sea."… Read more

   “And G-d did not lead them via the road to the land of the P’lishtim, for it was close, for G-d said, ‘lest the nation become regretful when they see war and return to Egypt” (Sh’mos 13:17). The wording of this verse, with two clauses explaining why G-d took the Children of Israel through… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Bo elaborating on the verses that discuss the paschal lamb for both the first Pesach and then all subsequent Pesachim. Rabbi… Read more

“How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me; send my people [out] that they may serve Me” (Sh’mos 10:3). This message to Pharaoh was delivered before the eighth plague (locusts); why did G-d wait until now to address Pharaoh’s unwillingness to “humble himself” before the Almighty? Besides, since G-d hardened Pharaoh’s heart after… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Va'eira elaborating on the difference between Moshe's interaction with Hashem and the avos' interaction with Hashem when things seemingly didn't go… Read more

“And Moshe was 80 years old, and Aharon was 83 years old, when they spoke with Pharaoh” (Sh’mos 7:7). My 6th grade son came home last week with the following “bumba question of the week” from his rebbe: If Moshe was 80 before the plagues started, the “judgment” against Egypt lasted for a year (Eduyos… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Shemos elaborating on the various names of this next "book" in the Torah as well as the importance of names in… Read more

    “And [Moshe] turned this way and that way, and he saw that there was no one, and he smote the Egyptian” (Sh’mos 2:12). The simplest reading of this verse is that before killing the Egyptian who was beating up an Israelite, Moshe looked around to make sure that no one was looking. Indeed, this… Read more

  Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Vayechi and the fast of Asara B'Teves which we are experiencing today. Rabbi Yudin elaborated upon the great significance of… Read more

   “And Yaakov’s sons carried him (i.e. his coffin) to the Land of Canaan” (B’reishis 50:13), “as he had commanded them” (50:12). Rashi explains what was meant by “as he had commanded them,” based on Midrash Tanchuma (Bamidbar 12); Yaakov had told them how he wanted them to carry his coffin: “three [sons] on the… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Vayigash, elaborating on Yaakov's trepidation of going down to Egypt following the revelation that Yosef was alive. Rabbi Yudin explained the… Read more

During the discussion/confrontation between Yosef and his brothers, Yehudah referred to his father as “your servant” five times, understandable since he was talking to the Viceroy of Egypt, and deference is necessary when speaking to authority. However, unbeknownst to Yehudah, his father was also the Viceroy’s father, so by calling his father the Viceroy’s servant,… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Miketz and Shabbat Chanukah, elaborating on the Torah portion and various laws & customs of the day. . Click the Picture… Read more

“When the Greeks entered the [Temple] sanctuary they ritually contaminated all of the oil in the sanctuary, and when the House of the Chashmona’im became stronger and defeated them, they searched and only found one jar of oil that was left with the seal of the Kohain Gadol, and there was only enough [oil] in… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Vayeshev and the upcoming observance of Chanukah, elaborating on the Torah portion and various laws & customs of the Holiday. Rabbi… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Vayishlach elaborating on Yaakov's journey back for the pachim kitanim (small vessels) and his ensuing battle with the angel. Rabbi Yudin… Read more

“And [Yaakov] took his two wives and his two maidservants and his eleven children” (B’reishis 32:23). Although Binyamin was not born yet, Yaakov already had twelve children, as Leah also had a daughter, Deena. Why does the Torah only refer to eleven children if there were twelve? Rashi, based on the Midrash (B’reishis Rabbah 76:9),… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Vayeitzei elaborating on the verses regarding Yaakov's journey from Israel to the house of Lavan, and his well know dream of… Read more

   “And Yaakov took moist stick[s] of cedar, and of almond and of plane and he peeled them [making] white peelings” (B’reishis 30:37). Although there are different translations given for the types of trees Yaakov used, the bottom line is that he peeled away parts of the bark so that the branches were now multi-colored,… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Toldos elaborating on the concept of divine providence which is demonstrated frequently throughout the parsha. Rabbi Yudin emphasized the importance of… Read more

“And the men of the area asked his wife (or about his wife), and he said, ‘she is my sister” (B’reishis 26:7). Just as Avraham had told the Egyptians, and then the people of G’rar, that his wife Sara was his sister (12:13 and 20:2), Yitzchok told the people of G’rar that his wife Rivka… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Chayei Sarah elaborating on the importance of chessed (kindness) as demonstrated among our forefathers. Rabbi Yudin emphasized that the person who… Read more

    “And [Avraham] spoke to the Hittites, saying: ‘I am a stranger and a dweller with you” (B’reishis 23:3-4). In order to explain how Avraham could claim to be both a “stranger” and a “dweller” if the former connotes someone who is not currently where he lives while the latter refers to someone who is,… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Vayera elaborating on a challenging Rashi that tells us why Lot was saved from the destruction of Sodom. Rabbi Yudin explained… Read more

“And Sara was listening at the entrance of the tent, and he was behind him” (B’reishis 18:10). The meaning of the last two words in this verse, which I translated as “and he was behind him,” is unclear. Who was behind who? ArtScroll, following Rashi, translates it as “which was behind him,” i.e. the entrance… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Lech Lecha and the beginning of "Jewish history." Rabbi Yudin also spoke about the passing of Gadol Hador Rabbi Ovadia Yosef… Read more

“And Avram passed through the land… and the Canaanites were then in the land” (B’reishis 12:6). Being that the text of the Torah was given to the nation before Moshe died (see D’varim 31:26), and this part of the Torah was part of “the Book of the Covenant” that Moshe wrote down and read to… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to discuss the Torah portion of the week. This week Rabbi Yudin discussed parshas Noach comparing and contrasting the greatness and faith of Noach and Moshe Rabbeinu. Rabbi Yudin explained how Moshe's greatness was, in… Read more

As I was walking out of the hospital after visiting a friend (and this week’s piece, and the learning it brings about, is dedicated to the full and speedy recovery of Pinchas Michoel ben Eidel, who -- I have just been texted, as I am writing this very line -- is being discharged from the… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to deliver his annual Hoshana Raba, Shemini Atzeret, Simchat Torah and Parshat Bereishit address. Rabbi Yudin elaborated on the various laws and customs of the Holidays as well as our renewing the cycle of Torah… Read more

  “Rabbi Yitzchok said, ‘there was no need to write the Torah (whose primary purpose is to teach us the laws that G-d wants us to follow, see Mizrachi, Gur Aryeh, etc.) from anywhere but “this month is for you” (Sh’mos 12:2, the first mitzvah given to the nation). And what was the reason [the… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to deliver his annual Erev Succos address. Rabbi Yudin elaborated on the various laws and customs of Succos, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the Holiday and making the most of our time in the Succah.… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to deliver his annual pre-Yom Kippur address. Rabbi Yudin discussed the various laws and customs of Yom Kippur, putting the weight of the day in proper perspective. Rabbi Yudin emphasized the importance of approaching the… Read more

“And Yonah prayed to Hashem, his G-d, from the innards of the fish” (Yonah 2:2). After being inside the fish that had swallowed him for three days, Yonah asked G-d to save him. Considering that Yonah had previously chosen to drown at sea rather than ask G-d to save him (and his shipmates) from the… Read more

Rabbi Benjamin Yudin, spiritual leader of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Fairlawn, New Jersey, called in to JM in the AM to deliver his annual pre-Rosh Hashanah address. Rabbi Yudin discussed the various laws and customs of the Jewish New Year Holiday which begins tonight and continues until sundown on Friday evening. Rabbi Yudin also discussed… Read more

“Three books are opened on Rosh Hashana, one for those who are completely wicked, one for those who are completely righteous, and one is for those in between. The completely righteous are written down and sealed right away for life; the completely wicked are written down and sealed right away for death; those in between… Read more