
What Are We Mourning About?
Tisha B’Av is not about the inability to bring sacrifices; they stopped bringing sacrifices 3 weeks earlier on the 17th of Tammuz. It’s about losing the Beit HaMikdash itself. What is the...
Aug 8, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

Three Weeks 16: Restoring Our Tripod
What is the significance of Aspasyanus not being able to put his shoe on when he received the good news of becoming the emperor? Previous: In the Hands of a King
Aug 8, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

Three Weeks 15: In the Hands of a King
Why did it specifically have to be a king, and not just an expert military general, who conquered Jerusalem? What is the significance of a king? Previous: The Secret Behind the...
Aug 8, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

Three Weeks 14: The Secret Behind the Death of...
Why does it matter whether Marta bat Baitus died from stepping in dung or from the smell of eating the fig of Rebbi Tzadok? What should we learn from the story? Previous:...
Aug 4, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

Three Weeks 13: Jerusalem – Naturally Invincible
The Gemara provides a detailed explanation of the wealthy Marta bat Baitus’ death due to her servant’s poor judgement. What was he thinking? What are we supposed to learn from it? Previous: Our...
Aug 4, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

Three Weeks 12: Our Tripod
There are 3 attributes with which God runs the world (justice, truth, peace). These parallel the 3 types of donations of the 3 wealthy people during the siege of Jerusalem. Previous:...
Aug 4, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

Three Weeks 11: Honor, Dignity, Aristocracy
During the Roman siege, 3 wealthy Jerusalemites pledged to supply the besieged city with its needs: one with wheat & barley, one with wine, salt, & oil, and one with wood. What are we to...
Aug 4, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

Three Weeks 10: The Spiritual Colors of Wealth
3 wealthy people provided enough to sustain the besieged city Jerusalem for 21 years had it not been for the zealots’ burning the storehouses. The Gemara tells us about each one...
Aug 1, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

Three Weeks 9: The Fullness of Seven
3 rich men were able to supply the besieged Jerusalem for 21 years. Chazal felt these 21 years would have been enough to defeat the Romans had it not been for...
Aug 1, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer

Three Weeks 8: Unraveling Our Three Strands
After Nero deserts, Vespasian lays siege to Jerusalem. We are told it was to last 3 years. The Maharal explains why it had to be 3 years, no more and no less....
Aug 1, 2016
By Rabbi Yochanan Bechhofer
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- Asarah B'Tevet
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- Four Shabbatot
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- The Three Weeks
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- Yom HaAtzmaut
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