בס׳ד

"Where does it say that you have a contract with G-d to have an easy life?"

the Lubavitcher Rebbe



"Failure is not the enemy of success; it is its prerequisite."

Rabbi Nosson Scherman



18 Jul 2026

Fire in Havat Gilad

Bereaved family's home destroyed in Havat Gilad wildfire

This evening, I read an article on Israel National News (INN) about the devastating wildfire that destroyed homes in Havat Gilad, including the home of Yael Shevach, the widow of Rabbi Raziel Shevach, who was murdered in a terrorist attack in 2018.

Some time ago, Aish.com published a moving article about Yael titled "Choosing Life Is My Revenge." After reading the news about the fire, I searched Rabbi Raziel Shevach's name on Google and came across a moving article on the Chabad website titled "The Angel Raziel – The Sad and Inspiring Story of Rabbi Raziel Shevach, the Righteous Mohel Murdered by Terrorists."

In the article, a father recounts his desperate search for a mohel who would be willing to travel to his small community to perform his son's brit milah on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. After many unsuccessful phone calls, he finally reached Rabbi Raziel Shevach.

Rabbi Raziel's response reflected the values by which he and his wife lived:

"First of all, mazal tov! Second, my wife and I have a rule: we never say no to the mitzvah of performing a brit milah."

Those simple words capture Rabbi Raziel's extraordinary dedication to helping others and his unwavering commitment to every opportunity to perform a mitzvah.

To read the full article (in Hebrew), click here.

17 Jul 2026

A Good Friend

Mazal tov to Holocaust survivor Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, who turns 101 on July 17. A cellist, Lasker-Wallfisch is the last living survivor of the Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz. We wish her ad 120! https://x.com/WorldJewishCong/status/2078077606428131647

Anita Lasker-Wallfisch MBE

12 Jul 2026

Blessings and Rebuke

Beit Shemesh Beis Din Issues Unique Ruling to Resolve Shabbos Elevator Dispute

Just came across the Kiddush Times for the first time this Shabbos where I encountered many interesting articles including You Shall Not Betray Yourself by Rabbanit Oriyah Mevorach.