The Library

Join the Worldwide YEshiva Shovavim Initiative at shovavim.org - "YES we can!" Next week begins the period known as ‘Shovavim’ which is an acronym for the first six Parshiot of Sefer Shemot: Shemot, Va’era, Bo, BeShalach, Yitro, and Mishpatim. The essence of these weeks...

YOUTH MUST BE TAUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF SIN In our days, there are various groups seeking to force extreme liberal and leftist ideologies upon everyone, to try to justify every sinner, claiming that people are born with negative tendencies which are immutable and therefore ...

Recently there was a dilemma faced by a Chasidic doctor who could not wear his protective mask as required because his beard was in the way. Chasidic Jews—for religious, mystical, and spiritual reasons—are very careful about not shaving, or even trimming, their beards. So...

Whether you are are in a committed relationship or thinking about one, or you are a counselor, member of the clergy, or a therapist, here are 3 myths about pornography use among couples you need to know:

Mesilas Yesharim says, "Kol inyanei haolam nisyanos heim l'adam -- All matters in this world, everything, are tests for man." That's a sweeping statement! What does it mean tests? Hashem has to test you to know what you are? He doesn't know beforehand what you're going to...

In the world of sensory stimulation – sounds, smells and images – eyes are our primary interface with the world. Eyesight accounts for 80% of what we learn and 80% of our memories. We need to choose our images wisely, as the Torah exhorts: "Don't stray after your heart an...

My Rosh Yeshiva, ztzl, used to reminisce about his days as a child on the Lower East Side. Often, he would come back from school and his father would ask him, ‘Noach – did you remember that Hashem loves you today?’ ‘Yes’, was the young boy’s usual answer. ‘Well done, his...

The new psychology buzz word of this century is mindfulness. Mindfulness means concentrating on one thing at a time, just for concentration sake. Mindfulness can take many forms, from meditation to just sitting and focusing on what you’re doing, looking at, listening to, ...

This is a little something I wrote upon hearing the sad news of the famous actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman's passing, due to an overdose of drugs (after being clean for 23 years). The news touched me deeply and this is my reflection... While many mourn Philip S. Hoffman's f...

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov taught... From Reb Nosson's Letters: "Even while the gates are closed and locked on every side and in every corner—so that one ought mistakenly have thought that there was no hope, G-d forbid—I still believe that there remains ple...

All Jews are mandated to fight the particular Avodah Zorah manifested in each particular era. Perhaps if this particular "sexual" addiction is reduced to the generic "status" of Avodah Zorah it will be easier to face and dismiss. The objective of "the other side" is to te...

Taken From www.briskodesh.org Pgam Habris is a very strong Klipah (impure husk). Rebbe Nachman writes that staying pure from any sort of Pgam Habris, in action, thought or speech, is the main test that a person is subjected to in his life. It is therefore not surprising t...

Taken From www.briskodesh.org It is not impossible Many people who were raised in Western Society steeped in the Klipot, believe that it is impossible to be Shomer Habris. This is not true. There are thousands upon thousands of people in Eretz Yisroel and throughout the w...

Taken from www.briskodesh.org Know that there are two sides. The side of good, and the side of evil (Sitra Achrah). G-d created evil to provide man with free will. The Sitra Achrah is like a shell (klipah) it has no energy of its own. All the klipas must receive...

More from www.briskodesh.org Many people were pogem their bris since they were young and no longer remember their state of mind before they started. Most people nowadays are controlled by their subconscious. Even conscious acts are strongly tainted by their subconscio...

More from www.briskodesh.org Wasting seed uses up a lot of of the bodies energy this has many physical manifestations. People who are pogem the bris are always tired and need more sleep. There is spiritual energy all over the place. A special part of the b...

From www.briskodesh.org on the seriousness of spilling seed, according to Kabbala. Just like a person creates children through intercourse, so too, souls are drawn down every time a person spills seed. These souls are immediately captured by the forces of ...

Excerpts from an article called "Biblical Sexual Morality" From www.KosherTorah.com by Ariel Bar Tzadok. Sexual "purity" plays a major role in the Torah concept of holiness. Indeed, the following parasha Kedoshim opens with the words, "You shall be holy, for I HaShem y...