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Don't Squander the Wealth! Yud Zayin Shvat, 5773

You've finally come into all this wealth. The natural reaction would be to spend it all, go all out, and finally buy what you've dreamed of for so long! The wiser reaction would be to save it, invest it, watch it. After a moment's thought, the decision is easy...but how do you carry it out?

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What Unites Us All Yud Zayin Shvat, 5773

We're all so different, but still the same... at least in one way. Let's use our "G-d–given" power and accomplish this like no one else can.

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Yud Zayin Shvat, 5773

In the previous issue a question was raised regarding a Torah which was lost or stolen. Is the money received from the insurance company considered to be money received from the sale of a Sefer Torah, and therefore only permitted to be used for buying another Sefer Torah, or is it not considered to be money received for a Sefer Torah, and can therefore be used to buy anything?

In the case of a Sefer Torah that was stolen or lost, the money received from the insurance company

Yud Zayin Shvat, 5773

The Embarrassing Moment

Your boss knows you need it. You know you want it. And then it happens.

After all of your waiting and all your hard work, you know you deserve what’s coming to you! Sure enough, one fine morning, your boss walks in with his entire entourage. With a big smile, he announces to one and all that what you have been waiting for has finally come to pass! You are being promoted to the position of assistant director! Everyone applauds, everyone is happy for you.

But wait!

What Will It Take? Yud Zayin Shvat, 5773

The rhetoric about the new Heichal is ongoing, but what is actually happening?

In actuality, there is ongoing work behind the scenes. There are currently several large donors involved. However, there is still a large sum that needs to be collected before we can begin to realize our dream. When the amount finally begins to come together, from one or more individuals, then our dream of a new Heichal Halimmud will cross from the development stage to the reality stage.

The "amount" we are talking about which is still necessary for us to begin this project depends on several factors.

Hei Shvat, 5773

Today we are in Golus. We strive to keep every Mitzvah in the Torah. We aim to bring Moshiach. However, we know we are limited. There is only so much we can do. Yes, we try our best, but we often feel it is not enough.

Nonetheless, despite our limitations, know this: There IS one thing we can do.

"My Talk At ULY" From the Desk of Rabbi Browd Hei Shvat, 5773

Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking to one of the 8th grade classes in United Lubavitcher Yeshivos. I was asked to speak about learning, to explain the Maalos, and to encourage the bochurim to do more of it, even out of Yeshiva. I chose to bring it up by speaking about “Taavos.”

Here are some of the things I spoke about:

Believe it or not, learning is a big Taava for human beings. Yes, it’s true. Many think of a “Taava” as something inherently physical, something that is forbidden in one form or another, something that can and should be pushed off. Foods, reading a good book, taking a hike, sleeping late-all of these are Taavos we’re aware of. However, these are all Taavos that anyone, or anything, can have. Even animals have desires for certain foods and pleasures. The one thing they never have a Taava for is learning, because learning requires a “kop.” It may not be a “bad” Taava, but it is a Taava nevertheless, and like any Taava, it has to be developed and experienced for it to truly take hold.

In this way, it’s similar to skiing.

Kovetz Limmud Chof Beis Shvat Hei Shvat 5773

On Chof Beis Shvat we mark the Yom Hillulah of Rebbetzin Chaya Mushka. The Rebbe encouraged us to learn from her ways for she was a true paradigm of an "Eizer K'negdo." In accordance with the minhag of learning Mishnayos on the day of the yahrtzeit (Mishnah having the same Hebrew letters as Neshamah) for the benefit of the niftar's soul, Yagdil Torah has included chapters of Mishnayos that begin with the letters of the Rebbetzin's name.

The publication will be available in local shuls, at the Heichal Halimmud, and at our office.

It is also available for download.

Mesivta Gemara-Not Just Coming Soon! Hei Shvat, 5773

The new set of Mesivta Gemara really has it all. Everything is written in a new typeset, making it clearer and easier to read. It comes complete with a pirush on the entire Tosfos.

A generous sponsor has purchased this special set for Yagdil Torah’s Heichal Halimmud. Most of it has already arrived; the rest will be here shortly.

Open these Seforim and be astounded at the new ease in learning Gemara. Come, join, and learn with relish.

Hei Shvat, 5773

The Kedusha of a Sefer Torah is higher than that of other religious articles such as Chumashim, a shul, etc. Therefore, the Rambam rules (Laws of Prayer chapter 11 par. 14) that if a Torah scroll is sold, the money may only be used to buy another Torah scroll, because we cannot "lower" the status from a "stringent level of Kedusha" to a lower level.

In light of the above, what may be done in the case of a stolen or lost Sefer Torah which was reimbursed in value by the insurance company?

Is this money considered to be money received from the sale of a Sefer Torah, and therefore only permitted to be used for buying another Sefer Torah, or is it not considered to be money received for a Sefer Torah, and can therefore be used to buy anything?