צוות אתר הר ברכה

“Honorable Men” Three years ago, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, upon the recommendation of Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, decided to terminate the ‘Hesder’ program in Yeshiva Har Bracha. Thus, the Yeshiva became a ‘yeshiva gevoha’ (an advanced yeshiva), devoid of a means for the students to combine army service with their Torah studies. Why? Only … Read more

And Jacob’s Family Grew The household’s of Abraham and Isaac were plagued by numerous setbacks. Many painfully childless years passed before the Matriarchs Sarah and Rebecca bore children. The world was not yet ripe for welcoming Abraham’s offspring. Abundant prayer and spiritual refinement (“tikkunim”) would be necessary before the “gates were opened,” and Isaac and … Read more

The Crisis Tensions surrounding the issue of recruitment of yeshiva students for the army are rising. Quite certainly it can be assumed that previous arrangements exempting members of the Haredi community from military service, while at the same time, they receive funding from the national coffers for studies in yeshivot, cannot continue for long. The secular … Read more

After the destruction of the First Holy Temple, the Prophets and Sages of Israel declared a day of fasting on the Tenth of Tevet, for it was on that day that Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon and his legions placed Jerusalem under siege. Along with this siege began the terrible chain of calamities which finally ended in the destruction of the First Temple and … Read more

Nurses Strike Q: I work as a nurse, and presently our union has initiated a strike which might be severe and prolonged. I have a suspicion that there is an ulterior motive behind organizing the strike right before the Knesset elections – to harm the chances of the Likud and the Right-wing parties from forming … Read more

The Oral Law – The Light that Illuminates the Darkness It is no coincidence that the holiday of Chanukah falls out at a time of the year when the nights are longest and the cold of winter permeates the land.  Moreover, the moon barely shines, since Chanukah coincides with the days immediately preceding Rosh Chodesh, when the moon wanes. As the … Read more

“Remember Days Long By” – World War II As a result of the sour end to “Operation Pillar of Defense”, there is room for some reflection on the important and bitter historical issue of World War II. The Torah commands us: “Remember days long gone by. Ponder the years of each generation” (Deuteronomy 32:7). History … Read more

We Told You So As a result of the Oslo Accords, we said they would attack us from any place we withdrew from. We said that missiles would be fired on Ashkelon from Gaza, and all the leftist, delusionary peace seekers, claimed that we were terrifying the public – and now, ‘Gush Dan’ (greater Tel … Read more

Sports Balls on Shabbat Q: Rabbi, I wish to begin by saying that what you wrote about the importance of learning Torah on Shabbat has encouraged us to learn more with our children. We started a project with them, where they receive points and prizes for study on Shabbat. Rabbi, you wrote in your Jewish law … Read more

An Honest Question Q: I am a teacher in a girl’s high school, and I was amazed, Rabbi, that you think that the problem of ‘tzniyut’ (modesty) should be approached as being a problem of discipline, and to send the girls who show-up to school in unacceptable attire, home. How can such a sensitive and … Read more