All Articles Fromיהוסף יעבץ

Where did the Beit Yosef, Rabbi Yosef Karo, live? In Safed. We know he was born in Spain and fled with his father during the Spanish Inquisition. But where was he in between, and why did he venture to an uninhabited land like Israel?

On Shavuot, we received the Torah. Our sages said Mount Sinai was named for the hatred it brought from the nations of the world. They hate us and try to seize the Torah through distortion and by opposing the Oral Torah.

From King David's birth to Operation Solomon: Explore 10 significant moments associated with Shavuot.

Imagine approaching the president's tent and addressing him as "Honorable President Elizaphan son of Reuel," only to be corrected by his servant: "Son of who? The president's father is Deuel, not Reuel!" Awkward, right?

In the census of the tribes, it becomes apparent that the tribe of Levi was significantly smaller than the others. This raises an intriguing question: how could it be that the tribe chosen by Hashem did not receive the blessing of growth like the rest of the Israelites?

The Midrash mentions that the tekhelet was hidden away, leading to a lost knowledge of how to produce tekhelet from the remarkable snail mentioned in the Talmud. Despite various descriptions and clues in the Talmud, the means to locate it have been elusive for generations.

Czar Nicholas implemented a policy requiring Jewish communities to provide a quota of soldiers. Skeptical of their loyalty, he targeted children with the infamous Cantonists' decree.

Before World War II, the Great Synagogue of Vilnius featured a rather curious sight: a massive cannonball lodged into the roof. Despite its intimidating presence, this relic of war sparked more intrigue than fear. So, what was it doing there?

Experts gathered around the discovery site, slowly revealing the full inscription. Found to be part of a mosaic floor of Ein Gedi’s ancient synagogue, the text carried warnings, threats, and a secret.

Rabbi Meir Shapiro painted a vivid picture of a Jew sailing from England to the U.S., studying a page a day, and upon reaching America, joining others in synagogue on the very same page... A scenario once thought imaginary that soon became reality.

In Parashat Bamidbar, the lineages of all the tribes of Israel are listed. For each tribe, it says 'the sons of Reuben'… 'the sons of Simeon'… but for Naphtali, it simply says 'the sons of Naphtali.' Why is that? What makes this tribe stand out?

A renowned Jewish leader stood firmly against Napoleon, even declaring war on the endeavor to fall under French rule.

Can lost luxuries define a person's needs for charity? In a post-war story, Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv ztz"l confronts this challenging question, offering a modern take on traditional charity values.

A rare artifact slipped and broke in half, revealing its secrets. Experts debate its authenticity but agree it is at least a century old.

Herod, the outsider, tormented and suppressed the Jewish people in a manner unprecedented, disregarding the role of a king meant to protect rather than oppress.

The significance of recognizing divine will amidst challenges is vital. Ignoring the true cause of hardship, as warning texts suggest, can perpetuate the punishment. It's essential to be aware of what drives these occurrences – Hashem's desire to awaken us.

What does the blessing of 'removing dangerous animals from the land' truly mean? Is it a promise of the Messianic era where 'the wolf will dwell with the lamb'? How do different rabbinical interpretations understand this in relation to nature?

For thousands of years, numerous conquests and battles occurred over this land, yet no permanent settlement took hold. Unlike any other nation, much of it remained desolate and seemingly uninhabitable.

The survival of the Jewish people through centuries of persecution has no natural explanation. Just as Jacob and his descendants were spared from annihilation by Esau at the last moment, throughout history, when the spiritual heart of the nation was threatened, a path to salvation emerged.

"And you shall not place a decorative stone upon which to bow in your land." What exactly is a decorative stone? And what's the prohibition?