Torah for the Table

This issue features an essay on Parashas Masei exploring the 42 journeys of the Jewish people and lessons in adaptability; anecdotes about the Rebbe of Kretchnif's sensitivity and honesty; a bitachon story about trusting Hashem; a Daf Yomi schedule; and a historical piece on ArtScroll's Maggid books and Rabbi Paysach Krohn.

This issue covers halachic reference material for Parashas Mattos-Masei, including Shabbos Mevarchim, Nine Days restrictions (meat, wine, laundering, swimming), zmanim, and Daf Yomi schedules. It also features a brief Torah thought on murder from Rav Moshe Feinstein, a parshah summary, mitzvah counts, and haftarah notes.

This is a weekly Torah publication for children (Pirchei) that includes multiple distinct components: Torah insights on Parshas Matos-Masei (discussing mitzvos related to Levite cities and cities of refuge), a yahrtzeit tribute and story about the Bobover Rebbe R' Shlomo Halberstam, halacha notes on Bein HaMetzarim, a comic-style biography of R' Eliezer Gordon, Rashi questions, and davening tips for Krias Shema.

This issue of Aderaba presents two distinct halachic scenarios: (1) a shailah about whether it's loshon hora to tell one's sister that hosting guests the whole summer might be 'too much,' followed by practical guidance on phrasing such requests properly, and (2) two unrelated stories illustrating the power of positive speech—one about a young lawyer's encouraging words transforming a pencil vendor into a successful businessman, and another about misjudging a man whose phone rang during davening due to his hearing aids malfunctioning.

This essay, titled 'Gaining a Good Name,' explores the Torah principle that one must be innocent not only in Hashem's eyes but also in the eyes of the Jewish people. It discusses the importance of maintaining a good reputation through proper appearance, behavior, and character, emphasizing that Hashem values how others perceive us and that making a positive impression—even if somewhat artificial—is a religious obligation rooted in the concept of maris ha'ayin.

This story follows Officer Izzy Sirota, who responds to a report of a car carrying dead bodies and a live bear, only to discover it's his friend Lazer delivering dolls to sick children. The story illustrates the Torah principle that our actions should appear proper to both Hashem and other people, teaching that we must avoid creating situations where others might suspect wrongdoing.

Torah Wellsprings - Mattos-Massei offers a collection of independent Torah insights on this week's parashiyos. Topics include: trusting that one never loses by following Hashem's will (based on Kalev's reward), understanding hardships as purposeful, recognizing that everything comes from Hashem, the power of heartfelt tefillah, and the importance of guarding one's eyes. Each section draws on Midrashim, Chassidic teachings, and contemporary stories to illustrate its theme.

This issue explores why Moshe Rabbeinu's death was delayed until the war against Midyan was completed. The Ohr HaChaim explains it as an opportunity for Moshe to atone for his earlier passivity during the Zimri incident. The Zera Shimshon and Meshech Chochmah both note that Moshe's personal connection to Midyan (having lived there and married a Midianite) qualified and required him to lead this campaign. A second piece discusses accepting love for fellow Jews before prayer, drawing on the Bas Ayin and Zera Shimshon.

This publication presents three short Torah insights (vorts) from the Zera Shimshon. The first discusses why vows for tzedakah are discouraged while vows for Torah study are permitted, based on the immediacy of obligation. The second offers two interpretations of the phrase 'bein haMetzarim' from Eichah, relating to wine consumption and the boundaries between holiness and impurity during exile.

This edition contains multiple short Torah insights, each by a different author, on Parshas Matos-Ma'asei. Topics include: the Haftarah's message about Hashem as an unending source of blessing (Klein), Aharon's legacy of peace-making and how we want to be remembered (main article), insights on humility from Mesilas Yesharim (chapter 22 continued), a story about emunah and trusting rabbinic promises (Schwartz), wisdom foundations from Mishlei (Spzilzinger), going before Hashem not just Israel (Taub), the dangers of anger in marriage (Greenfield), and looking beneath the surface to avoid sinas chinam (Weiss).

This is a weekly Torah publication (Parshas Matos Masei) containing multiple distinct sections: a lead essay on trust in Hashem and fulfilling His commandments even when difficult, a halachic series on the Nine Days (laws of mourning, meat/wine restrictions), several vorts and divrei Torah on the weekly parsha (including discussions on Menashe, the tribes of Reuven and Gad, and prophetic language), and an inspirational wartime story about Israeli soldiers demonstrating self-sacrifice. The publication also includes zmanim and a brief haftorah commentary.

This essay explores the concept of hishtadlus (personal effort) through the Midrash about why Yehoshua lost ten years of life compared to Moshe Rabbeinu. The central teaching is that one must align their hishtadlus with Hashem's will rather than trying to manipulate outcomes through fear or attempts to control situations. The author illustrates this principle through multiple stories and examples, including shidduchim, having children, and the account of Navos HaYizre'eli.