A lot has been written about addictions and the importance of breaking away from the control it has over one’s life. Addictions have ruined marriages, destroyed families, shattered dreams and turned professional, intelligent people into slaves to their desires. When speaking about addictions, the first thought that comes to mind is drugs and alcohol, but it runs far deeper than that. In today’s modern world, people are addicted to phones, the internet, shopping, gambling, Netflix, food, and...

We all love a good story so let me jump right in with a few that should put a smile on your face. These all took place in various bomb shelters (“miklatim”) across Eretz Yisrael in the recent war with Iran. The first story is simple but very sweet. A friend of mine, who davens with me in our morning minyan, is the Rosh Kollel in Nof Yam, a community next to Herziliya. In addition to being a tremendous Talmid Chacham, this Rav is involved in acts of chesed, on a regular basis. Before Pesach,...

Ask anyone in Israel today about the fate of the hostages and you will receive a puzzled look in return. Hostages? They have all been freed and returned to Israel… what are you talking about? There are no more hostages! The “Bring Them Home” movement worked! Right? Wrong ! I agree that the hostages from October 7 th have been freed/returned and Baruch HaShem for that, but we cannot turn a blind eye to those who have still not returned and – as you read these words – are still being held in...