By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
I have been to Europe not more than 2 or 3 times in my life. While there is the urge to visit London and Paris and take in Prague and the other prominent cities of Europe, when I have a chance to travel somewhere of that distance, I choose to go to Eretz Yisroel.
I have a difficult time going for enjoyment to countries where my forefathers were tortured and killed in every brutal way known to man. I cannot enjoy myself on land soaked with Jewish blood. If that makes me small-minded or a myopic golus Yid, so be it. I can handle worse epithets.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
This week, in Parshas Shelach, we study the tragic episode of the meraglim sent by Moshe to spy on the land of Eretz Yisroel. The Jews wanted to send spies to the Promised Land to ascertain whether it would be difficult to take it over. Moshe acquiesced and chose twelve leaders of Klal Yisroel for the mission, one from each tribe. Ten of those men went on to err terribly. The Jews were severely punished for the actions and words of the errant messengers, and though there was a certain measure of forgiveness, we have suffered throughout the ages because of the incident.
There are many timeless lessons embedded in the story.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
The weekly news cycle, which includes the events and stories that recently transpired, captivates the country and molds people’s opinions. It informs, educates, saddens and gladdens those who follow the fast-moving train. But for those who are sensitive enough to perceive that the rapid flow of news contains relevant messages with lessons for personal growth, the daily flow can also inspire.

Dear Matzav Readers,
It’s with great pain and sorrow that I’m forced to share with you a tragedy that took place this past Shavuos.
Please note: If you’re reading this letter on Matzav, it’s not considered Loshen Hora in any shape or form as I was actually advised by Gedolim to share this information with the public and that I have an obligation to do so.
About me:

Dear Matzav.com,
As a musician who has played at our chasunos for many years, I want to say that I was gratified to see the letter from rabbonim regarding the spirit of the music at our chasunos. I have been an advocate for a long time for bringing the right taam back into wedding music.
However, I want to say the following.
Firstly, the large majority of weddings I have played at are beautiful and Yiddish. Ironically, it’s at some of the more “with-it” chassidishe weddings that I find more of the disco style music. But whatever the case, let’s remember that the majority of our chasunos are really beautiful.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
When the Bnei Yisroel were in Sinai after having crossed through the Yam Suf, Hakadosh Boruch Hu commanded them to count down the days until Shavuos, at which time the Torah would be given to them and shtei halachem would be brought (Vayikra 23:15-16).
It is commonly understood al pi drush that the reason for the count was to signify their anticipation to receive the Torah. The purpose of Yetzias Mitzrayim was not simply to free the Jewish people from slavery, but to bring them to Har Sinai for them to receive the Torah and become obligated to studying it and observing its many commandments.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
In the Torah, there are several references to mountains that are central to Yiddishkeit. The first is Har Hamoriah, which Avrohom saw from the distance as he approached it to offer his son Yitzchok as an akeidah, following the word of Hashem. Although he saw the mountain and recognized it as his destination, those who had journeyed with him did not see it. Those belonging to the am hadomeh lechamor were blind to the hallowed peak destined to play a leading role in Yahadus until this very day.

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By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
Too often, we don’t appreciate what we have. This happens either because we are too close to it, or because since we are involved in it, we don’t value the experience. For a proper perspective to appreciate our blessings it is sometimes necessary to step back and look at what we have from a distance.
In most of our lives, there is more happiness than sadness, more gain than pain, and more to be thankful for than to be upset about.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
Torah Jews pledge allegiance to our mission statement and national raison d’être. Three times a day, we proclaim our intention “lesakein olam b’malchus Shakai,” to rectify and purify the world with Hashem’s dominion. We endeavor to bring Hashem’s light and presence into this olam, a place of “hei’aleim,” concealment and darkness.
The words of an anonymous wise man are often repeated: “When I was young, I was determined to change the world. As I grew older and more realistic, I thought that I could change my town. Now, as an old man with a white beard, I am desperately attempting to change myself.”
That is our approach to tikkun olam.

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz
With Pesach behind us and Shavuos in the future, we are presently in the Sefirah period. Every evening we count how many days have passed since Pesach, and by way of inference how many days remain until Shavuos.
The Ramban in Vayikra (23:16) refers to this period as a sort of Chol Hamoed. The explanation is that this period connects the Yom Tov on which we celebrate the physical redemption of the Jews from Egyptian bondage and the day on which we received the Torah, which in essence redeemed the Jewish soul and freed it, allowing a spiritual, exalted life.