All Articles Fromיהוסף יעבץ

One fateful night, Aharon Hershler faced a band of robbers led by a notorious thief named Abu Isa. He courageously fought them off but was fatally shot when Abu Isa feared Aharon recognized him and could inform the authorities.

Rabbi Meir saw an opportunity to establish a new Jewish settlement in Israel. He reached out to Moses Montefiore, Rabbi Nathan Adler – the Chief Rabbi of London, Rabbi Yoel Moshe Salomon, and other affluent individuals. Together, they submitted a proposal to purchase lands in Jericho. Rabbi Meir suggested naming the new Jewish city 'Petah Tikva.'

Pioneers faced challenges from local Arab landlords worried about decreasing property values from new neighborhoods sprouting outside the city. In response, they formed the "Gvardim," a self-defense group consisting of armed Jewish settlers who patrolled the desolate fields.

Attracting a large following, Abu Isa declared himself the messiah and led a rebellion against Persian rule. By drawing a circle in the sand and swearing protection to all within, he instilled fear of sorcery among the Persians—a tactic that elevated his status.

Hashem decreed that Abraham's descendants would be strangers in a foreign land, enslaved and oppressed for 400 years. This promise of exile formed us as a nation with a mission, not merely a tribe settling in its land, building homes, and planting vineyards, potentially forgetting its purpose.

On a sleepy Shabbat morning, Leah Gontchevsky woke up a little later than usual. Just the previous eve, her wedding with Yitzik Neuberg had taken place. She glanced at the bed beside hers only to find it empty. Where was her groom?

In the 1800s, the brave Jewish settlers broke out of Jerusalem's ancient walls, daring to build in areas once deemed perilous.

Baruch, a wealthy community leader, lost a court case with Rabbi Yosef ben Lev and was fined a significant sum. Brazenly, he slapped the Rabbi in public. Rabbi Yosef walked on but later tore his robes in mourning for the insult to Torah. This led to a mysterious fire and plague.

Around nine years ago, ISIS captured the city of Palmyra in Syria. The unique history of Palmyra had been forgotten for many generations. It was only in modern times that its ancient ruins began to attract tourists and archaeologists. However, those familiar with our sources can learn about the entire history of the city, originally known as Tadmor.

Among the descendants of Noah, one name stands out as intriguing and ominous: "And Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, and Hazarmaveth" (Genesis 10:26). Who was Hazarmaveth, and why does his name appear so foreboding?

The divine plan follows a different path. There's no point in destroying the wicked, as evil eventually prevails, just as disorder increases naturally. We need to cultivate the good so it can independently spread through human actions, from the ground up, until it reaches the entire world, not by divine intervention from the top down.

For generations, Jewish people have recognized circumcision as a sacred covenant. Other cultures see it differently, often as sheer endurance of pain.

In the 19th century, as secularism took hold in Europe, some Jewish communities sought refuge in the spiritual sanctity of the Holy Land.

On Shabbat, the 9th of Tevet in the year 4827 (December 30, 1066), a mob stormed the palace of Rabbi Yosef HaNagid. Despite disguising himself, painting his body black, and hiding among the servants, he was recognized and...

Recently, an intriguing find related to the Ark emerged. Dr. Irving Finkel from the British Museum, a leading expert on Mesopotamian culture, unveiled astonishing details from an ancient Babylonian map dating back to the sixth century BCE, pinpointing the exact location of Noah's Ark.

In 1813, following the Russians' victory over Napoleon, the Polish government commissioner tried to persuade Bernhard to return and take charge of Poland's health services. He declined, emphasizing his priority to care for the health of Poland's Jewish community, which the government overlooked.

In a Mishnah in Tractate Berakhot, it is mentioned that those who see the stones at the Beth Horon descent bless 'Blessed is He who performed a miracle for our ancestors in this place,' indicating that these stones were recognized by our sages. Can we identify them today?

Recent archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem's Arnona neighborhood reveal remnants of a tax collection center believed to be established by King Sennacherib of Assyria.

Ever wonder why Zebulun is called a seafaring tribe when its land doesn't reach the shore? Join us as we delve into the intriguing history behind this blessing.

Nations were created to influence history towards a world perfected under Hashem's sovereignty. While some had brief roles, Esau—identified with Edom—has a long, complex mission.