By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
Lag Ba’omer is one of those days on the Jewish calendar that the people themselves have turned into a day of great celebration. The Shulchan Aruch doesn’t mention anything special about the day. However, the Rama (493:2) writes, “In these countries, the custom is to take haircuts [on Lag Ba’omer], increase a little simcha, and we don’t recite Tachanun.”
Today, in Eretz Yisroel, the day is treated like a minor Yom Tov, and it is increasingly observed that way in our communities as well.
What is it about this day that has inspired Klal Yisroel to elevate it with such joy and celebration?

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
This week, as we study the parshiyos of Acharei Mos and Kedoshim, we are reminded of our sacred task as Jews navigating a turbulent world.
Parshas Kedoshim begins with a brief introduction: Hakadosh Boruch Hu tells Moshe to gather all of Klal Yisroel and instruct them to be kedoshim. The word kedoshim is commonly translated as “holy,” and the implication of the commandment is that we must all strive for holiness.
But what does it mean to be holy? What is expected of us?

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
Having recently celebrated Pesach, we are now in the Sefirah period, counting towards Shavuos and striving each day to refine ourselves, so that we may be worthy and prepared to accept the Torah and its way of life.
Our study this week of the parshiyos of Tazria and Metzora is an essential part of that process. Otherwise, we would not be laining these parshiyos during this time of introspection and personal growth.

Dear Matzav Inbox,
Why do we allow the shidduch process to consume us? Anyone in the parshah—whether for themselves or for their children—knows the crushing anxiety that accompanies the research phase of a potential match. How are we expected to determine compatibility from a resume? Is he like this or like that? Will her personality align with our expectations?

By S. Rosen
I recently heard Rabbi Avi Shafran on Halacha Headlines with Dovid Lichtenstein explain that the primary rabbinic objection to voting in the WZO elections is the technical requirement to confirm that: “I pledge to support the Jerusalem Program and the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.”
Curious, I decided to review the Jerusalem Program myself to see if it was something I could sign. Here are my thoughts, line by line:

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
Yom Tov provides an idyllic break from the ups and downs of life. Each day of the yemei chol is a battle between our yeitzer tov and yeitzer hora. Throughout the day, we endeavor to do what is right, to follow the path of Hashem, seeking to rise and better ourselves, while pushing back on thoughts and actions that veer us from the correct path and lower us.
Every day, we work to be good and do good to ourselves and to those around us. Hashem put us here to daven, learn Torah, perform mitzvos, help others, and contribute to the betterment of our world. Life is a daily contest between doing what we know is right and trying to do enough to get by.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
The essence of the Haggadah and Pesach is the relationship between father and son and the obligation for a father to transmit to his son the story of the geulah from Mitzrayim. The Torah and Chazal prescribe different ways to speak to different children and lay out the format for the Seder evening conversation.
Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein related the following story.

By John Nolte, Breitbart
A troubling new study backs up what has become obvious since the November presidential election: the political left is seeking to normalize and use violence to achieve its fascist political goals.
This is also known as terrorism.
The Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) recently issued a new report which “found that a growing number of people are willing to justify and even applaud killing in the name of politics and a warped sense of social justice,” per Fox News. “The chilling change appears to have accelerated in recent months.”

By Rabbi Moshe Dov Heber
Menachem Chaifetz was a bochur in Yeshivas Chaim Berlin in the 1990s. When he became engaged to the daughter of Rav Avrohom Turin zt”l, the esteemed Mashgiach of Scranton Yeshiva, it was a joyous occasion for both families.
Menachem eagerly anticipated his first Pesach in his father-in-law’s home. The thought of spending Yom Tov in such a distinguished Torah environment filled him with excitement. The home of Rav Turin was known for its warmth, depth of Torah, and unwavering commitment to mesorah.
Erev Pesach arrived, and as the house bustled with final preparations, Rav Turin called Menachem aside.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
I am writing this on Rosh Chodesh Nissan, grateful to have arrived at the month of geulah—both for the past and, hopefully, for the present as well.
Just as the month was about to begin, Klal Yisroel suffered a devastating tragedy, losing a mother and her two precious children on Shabbos afternoon. At their levayah on Sunday, there was an overwhelming outpouring of grief.