Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

April 26th, 2020

There is a phrase and there is a word that should set off alarms in your yetzer hatov. The phrase is nisht oif Shabbos geredt.  The word is “Who?” nisht oif Shabbos geredt is usually followed by saying something you know you shouldn’t be saying on Shabbos.  “Who” is often followed by rechilus. Various abuses of our unique gift of language are listed in the al chait.  Here are some examples: Bitui sifos …
0 comments

Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

April 2nd, 2020

In my previous article, I alluded to a tefilah that gives us 44 antidotes to the machala afflicting the world today. That tefilah is called Al Chait.  The occasions on which it is said are Yom Kippur and your wedding day.  We say Al Chait on those days in order to ask Hashem to wipe our slate clean so that we can begin anew at these turning points in our lives. The word anew is defined as in a new or different and typically more positiv …
0 comments

Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

March 26th, 2020

Three women are on line at Glatt Savings.  Woman X observes the cashier carefully placing her groceries into bags based on weight, refrigeration, and fragility.  She smiles at the cashier and says thank you.  The cashier smiles back. Woman Y observes the cashier carefully placing her groceries into bags based on weight, refrigeration, and fragility.  She says to herself, “that’s what she’s getting paid for,&r …
0 comments

Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

March 19th, 2020

What does your child do when she can’t fall asleep at night? She gets out of bed repeatedly.  She says she’s hungry, or thirsty, or too hot, or too cold, or it’s too noisy, or it’s too quiet, or she’s not tired, or something else.  It’s always something. What do you say to her? I will let her get a drink, but no food.  If she says it’s too hot I’ll crack open her window.  If she …
0 comments

Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

March 15th, 2020

The following true story is reprinted from an article by Rabbi Yitzie Ross, a columnist and 4th grade rebbe.  It is reprinted with his kind permission.   A boy who is in 2nd grade won a donut from his Rebbe on Sunday [two weeks before Pesach].  He had answered a very difficult question in class and was on cloud nine. When his mother came for pickup, he ran over with his donut and a huge smile.  Before he could explain, his mot …
0 comments

Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

March 8th, 2020

Do not hate your fellow in your heart. Reprove your friend but have no guilt because of him.  (Vayikra 19:17) Why does the Torah use the term, amisecha, your friend? According to the Ben Ish Chai, it is because when you correct your friend, you risk losing him as a friend.  You might think that you should refrain from rebuking him so as not to damage the love and replace it with hate.  We have been taught that that love is very imp …
0 comments

Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

March 8th, 2020

You should consider every person a robber and honor him the way you honor Rabban Gamliel. (Derech Eretz Rabbah, chapter 5)   The wording is slightly different in Kallah Rabati chapter 9: You should suspect every person of being a robber.   Kallah Rabati continues: Is this true?  Doesn’t the Mishna (Avos 2:4) say,”Don’t judge your friend until you have arrived at his place,” i.e. until you understand him well …
0 comments

Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

March 8th, 2020

בס"ד THE FOLLOWING IS PURIM TORAH The Results Are In! Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC   The Results Are In! I recently polled my readers to find out what they think of the Nachos Notes column. They both said they like it!   A Medrash Pliah I have figured out the famous Medrash Pliah on Parshas Noah: They’re gone because 2 came but had more than three. It means two unicorns came to the Taivah but they had more than 3 ounces …
0 comments

Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

February 24th, 2020

I remember one thing about my first day in Hebrew School.  The Rabbi asked me for my Hebrew name.  I said I didn’t know.  He said, “it’s the name your parents call you when they speak Jewish.  My face lit up and I confidently answered, ”Shaina Panim.” The Rabbi was not as confident about that response.  He suggested that I ask my parents when I got home and let him know what they said.  …
0 comments

Author: Rabbi Yitzchak Shmuel Ackerman, LMHC

February 16th, 2020

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night by a small human being whispering directly into your ear, “DAD.”  I did, over 40 years ago, and I’ll never forget it! Have you ever seen and heard food hurtling across a fifteen foot room from the mouth of a sick child? Have you ever felt absolutely helpless to help another person who is intensely upset and you have no idea why? Have you ever seen fantastic creatures an …
0 comments