By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
This past Shabbos, when we were mekadeish the incoming month of Adar, everyone felt a tinge of happiness. We knew that the snow will soon melt and even those of us who haven’t been to Florida will be able to enjoy warm weather. Soon, Purim will be here and we will celebrate the victory over Haman and Amaleik back in the days of Shushan. Adar is in the air and we all took a breath of relief.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
This week we lost two towering giants of Torah and avodah. Rav Dovid Soloveitchik passed away at the age of 99 and Rav Yitzchok Scheiner passed away at the age of 98. They lived within a few blocks of each other for most of their lives, though they got there from opposite directions. Klal Yisroel has not suffered a day such as this in our lifetimes.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
This week, we follow the Bnei Yisroel as they finally leave Mitzrayim and cross through the Yam Suf to freedom. Four-fifths of the Jewish people were unworthy of redemption and perished during the makkah of choshech. As the Bnei Yisroel followed Hashem’s instructions and gathered at the river’s shore, Paroh and his forces chased after them. The people raised their voices in prayer to Hashem that He save them from the grip of their evil pursuers.
Hashem appeared to Moshe (Shemos 14:15) and told him that this was not a time for prayer. “Tell the Bnei Yisroel that they should move ahead” into the water, Moshe was instructed.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
We don’t know what the Biden presidency portends for us, but we do know that as long as we are guided by the eternal truth, we shall be safe and strong.
We live in a time when truth is relative. The news cycle captivates the country and molds people’s opinions. It informs, educates, saddens and gladdens those who follow the ever-changing surprising happenings of the country and the world.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
My dear friend, Yossel Czapnik z”l, was a keen observer of the human condition. Invariably, whenever someone was found to have engaged in wrongful or detrimental behavior and people would wonder how it was possible for the person to act so foolishly, Yossel would always give the same answer. He would say that it happened because the person didn’t learn mussar. The study of mussar keeps a person straight, honest, and humble, and prevents him from engaging in self-destructive behavior.
Yossel fell victim to Covid before Pesach, but his lessons are as true as ever.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
After recounting the life stories of the avos and the arrival of Yaakov and his family to Mitzrayim, Seder Shemos introduces us to the first leader of the Jewish people, the man who would represent them to their oppressor, Paroh, and subsequently lead them from slavery.
Moshe Rabbeinu was born to Yocheved, and Amrom, who is identified as “ish m’bais Levi,” a man from the house of Levi. The Torah tells us that his mother was commanded by Paroh to kill all male Jewish infants. She didn’t obey, and ensured that the children would live, but the Torah tells us nothing about his father other than that he was from shevet Levi.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
This week’s parsha, Vayechi, tells of the passing of Yaakov Avinu. The posuk states, “Vayikrivu yemei Yisroel lomus vayikra levno leYosef” (Bereishis 47:29). As Yaakov’s final moments of life approached, he called for his son, Yosef. He urged Yosef not to bury him in Mitzrayim, but in Eretz Yisroel: “Al na sikbereini beMitzrayim. Veshochavti im avosai…” He asks Yosef to swear that he will bury him amongst the avos, repeating the request by stating, “Veshochavti im avosai.”

By Rav Avrohom Dovid Waxman
Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 273:1) states that Kiddush must be recited Bmakom Seudah, in the place where one eats the meal. The Mishna Berurah explains by quoting the Rashbam in Pesachim 101a based on the Pasuk: Vkarasa Lshabbos Oneg (You call the Shabbos delight) that in the same place of Oneg meaning the Seuda, one must recite Kiddush. The Rema (273:3) adds that one must eat in the place of Kiddush immediately.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
Vayigash is one of the most dramatic parshiyos in the Torah. The sons of Yaakov had strange experiences when they went to Egypt in search of food during a famine. They followed the path of many people and acted no differently than anyone else. There was a hunger throughout the Middle East, and the only place where there was food was Mitzrayim, so the natural thing to do was to travel there in search of sustenance. Yet, this family was singled out for special attention by the prime minister, who was overseeing the entire famine-fighting effort.

Dear Editor,
Matzav.com recently reported on the fact that Lakewood has the fastest rising housing prices in the country.
But please report the truth: The main reason for this price surge in Lakewood is a result of real estate agents trying to create bidding wars in order to raise the price and with it the dollar size of the commission.
This is combined with agents pressuring potential buyers to offer more and enticing people to sell by giving the seller high valuations.
In other words, much of the insane uptick in prices is due to manipulations by the agents.