Rav Chaim zatzal on Motivating Students

A Rosh Yeshiva of a Yeshiva for weaker students posed a question: “My Yeshiva is going through a rough patch currently. What is the best manner in which to strengthen the Torah learning in his Yeshiva? Is it preferable to tell them that the Gedolim are calling for strengthening of Torah learning during this difficult…

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Rav Chaim zatzal on Snitching

The Yeshiva had a strict policy: NO CELL PHONES PERMITTED! Yet they knew that there were violators of the policy. But now, they had taken things up a notch. One bochur knew who had the cell phone in question and the Yeshiva was now threatening him that he better tell. That person, would be thrown…

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What Should a Bar Mitzvah Boy Take On?

Rav Chaim zatzal on “What Kabalah Should a Bar Mitzvah Bochur Take Upon Himself?” Often, a Bar Mitzvah bochur would inquire of Maran zatzal what kaballah he should take upon himself in light of his impending Bar Mitzvah.  Rav Chaim would answer, “Take upon yourself the Mitzvah of Kivud Av v’Aim.” No one around him…

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Bikkur Cholim – Understanding the Obligation

WHAT IS OUR OBLIGATION OF BIKKUR CHOLIM? There appears to be three major halachic approaches to the important Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim, and among them Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky zatzal’s view. There is a fascinating Rambam in Hilchos Avel (14:1).  It is both fascinating and perhaps slightly confusing at the same time.  He writes that…

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Giving Tzedakah With a Smile

In Yore De’ah 249:3, the Mechaber cites the halacha that one must give tzedakah, charity, with a smile, with joy and good-heartedly.  When there is a poor person, one should empathize with him in his struggles and one should speak to him with words of consolation and comfort.  If he gave the tzedakah in a…

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