Maran Rabbi Yosef Caro (1488-1575)
Rabbi Yosef Caro (also Karo or Qaro) was born in Toledo, Spain in 1488. In 1492, at the age of four, he and his family...
What you might not know about the shulhan ‘arukh.
The shulhan 'arukh is known to be "the Code of Jewish Law", and "the most authoritative legal code of Judaism". Here is what most people don't know...
Teshuba and Jiminy the cricket
Our conscience is an integral part of the makeup of our Neshama (human soul). Like Pinocchio's cricket, Jiminy, its mission is to warn us...
The fast of Gedalia
Today is the fast of Gedalia, a fast-day instituted by the Rabbis to remember the assassination of Gedalia Ben Ahiqam, the governor of Israel during...
HILKHOT TESHUBA 4:2 When the King repents
Maimonides explains the difficulties of admitting to ourselves that we have sinned. Taking charge of our misdeeds -hakarat haHet- is probably the hardest step in...
HILKHOT TESHUBA 4:1-2. Obstacles in the way of Teshuba
In Chapter 4 of Hilkhot Teshuba Maimonides enumerates twenty-four actions, personality patterns or attitudes which prevent or make very difficult for a person to...
HILKHOT TESHUBA 3:14 Maimonides on Bullying
In the third chapter of Hilkhot Teshuba, Halakha 5, Maimonides asserts that the Jews, and the righteous among the gentiles (haside ummot ha'olam), will...
HILKHOT TESHUBA 2:1: Forgiveness and quality of life
Yesterday we explained that when somebody apologizes for an offense or for a wrong thing he or she did to us, we should be...
HILKHOT TESHUBA 1:1: to be or not to be specific?
Maimonides explains that the commandment of Teshuba is fulfilled when we recite the Viduy. Viduy is the verbal confession of our transgressions, while feeling...
The # 1 Mitzva of the Tora
The first Mitzva of the Tora and the first blessing given by haShem to humankind is to marry and have children. Genesis 1:28 says: "And...
