There is a widespread custom for parents to bless their children – young and old – on the afternoon of erev Yom Kippur. The text of Bircas Habanim / Blessing of the Children has been prepared for you to download from both the Schottenstein Edition Interlinear Machzor and the Seif Edition Transliterated Machzor.
Tens of thousands have had their davening transformed through the bestselling Praying with Fire series. Now, it’s time for teens to enhance their tefillos. ArtScroll spoke with Rabbi Heshy Kleinman, author of the Praying with Fire books.
AS: What makes this new book especially for teens?
RHK: The scenarios and stories we use to illustrate the concepts of tefillah were revised to relate to the experiences of teens and young adults. In this way, the teen reader gets a direct sense of how the concept can help him or her. We also used the more concise, direct writing style that younger readers prefer. And we added new material that opens pathways for finding an emotional connection to Hashem through prayer.
AS: Can teenagers really change the way they daven in just 5 minutes a day?
RHK: Of course! Both teens and adults benefit from small daily doses of learning. This method gives the reader time to more fully focus on and absorb what he’s learned and to try putting it into practice. The words on each page are like a powerful multivitamin; if you took the whole bottle in one day, your body couldn’t stand it. Small daily doses, on the other hand, make a noticeable difference over the course of time.
AS: We know davening is important, but what are the benefits teens will see in their everyday lives if they learn to connect to Hashem through tefillah?
RHK: In Tehillim we say, “Gam ki eilech b’gei tzalmoves, lo ira ra ki Atah imodi,” – Even if I go through the most frightening experience, knowing Hashem is there with me prevents me from feeling panic and despair. A person who learns to connect with Hashem through tefillah feels the comforting presence of his loving Father in every situation. There is not a more valuable acquisition for a teen or young adult — or anyone.
AS: Did you have input from teens as you wrote the book?
RHK: Much of our input came from the tefillah program we are already successfully running in both boys and girls high schools, which is currently available by request. The overwhelming majority of these students wanted a book that would make a positive difference in their lives. This book is our response. We are confident that they will grab this opportunity and use it to bring yeshuos and berachah to themselves and to all of Klal Yisrael.
The “learning revolution” that began with the Schottenstein Edition Talmud continues…
An extraordinary achievement in Talmudic scholarship that will bring your Talmud study to a whole new level.
To understand the Talmud, you need Rashi’s commentary. But to fully appreciate the Talmud’s depth and unity of structure, you need the commentary of the Baalei Tosafos. ArtScroll now offers a path to understanding this vital yet difficult commentary.
The groundbreaking ArtScroll Edition of Tosafos features:
Click Here to order your copy today!
How do you portray close to a century of utter genius, unique humility, unparalleled diligence, profound caring — and, yes, loving warmth and a gentle sense of humor?
How do you capture the greatness of Reb Aharon Leib Shteinman, zt”l?
With true stories.
Reb Aharon Leib: The Life and Wisdom of Rabbi Aharon Yehudah Leib Shteinman, written by Rabbi Naftali Weinberger, author of the huge bestseller Rebbetzin Kanievsky: A Legendary Mother to All, and edited by Nina Indig, is a biography featuring hundreds of stories of Reb Aharon Leib, as well as many never-before published family photos and documents.
The source of many of these stories, particularly of his youth, was … Reb Aharon Leib himself. When he was in his nineties, Reb Aharon Leibs’s grandchildren took turns sleeping in his apartment. To show his thanks, Reb Aharon Leib, a master of gratitude, told them stories of when he was young, knowing how much they enjoyed them — stories of the Brisker Rav and Rav Simcha Zelig Riger, of the “potch” he never forgot, of the only time he made a “goral haGra,” which ultimately saved his life. Rabbi Weinberger spent many hours interviewing grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as talmidim and Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita, discovering these treasures.
Moving past his youth, we see Reb Aharon Leib’s relationship with the Chazon Ish and other great men. We are amazed by his incredible patience and compassion in his “kabbalas kahal,” as he spoke to countless people looking for a berachah, an eitzah, or just some comfort.
We visit that legendary two-bedroom apartment on Rechov Chazon Ish, and meet the beloved and illustrious Rebbetzin Tamar Shteinman, who truly found her home — with its two propane burners, peeling paint, and backless chairs — beautiful and complete. We learn of her remarkable chesed and see how she raised a Torah-true family with the utmost simplicity — and the greatest simchah.
In the beis midrash, in his home, flying all over the world to bring chizuk to other Jews — wherever Rav Aharon Leib went, he strengthened the people he met in their emunah and their love for Torah. So it’s very appropriate that this major biography, too, will strengthen and inspire us.
Get your copy today at artscroll.com!
ArtScroll Yerushalmi Ready for the New Learning Cycle! The next Daf Yomi begins August 4!
by Rabbi Nosson Scherman
It was at the Sixth Knessiah Gedolah of Agudath Israel, in Yerushalayim, that a historic proclamation was made. The day was 18 Teves, 5740/January 7, 1980. The speaker was the Lev Simchah, the Gerrer Rebbe, zy”a.
The proclamation was that it was time for the Torah world to begin a new Daf Yomi program: the daily study of Talmud Yerushalmi. The Yerushalmi Daf Yomi program takes four and a half years and it is now celebrating its ninth siyum.
The Schottenstein Editions of the Talmud Bavli in Hebrew and English — and in French, as the Edmond J. Safra Edition — have contributed tremendously to the spread of Talmud study in general, and Daf Yomi study in particular.
It has been estimated that of the 90,000 participants at the MetLife Stadium celebration of the last siyum, more than half were there thanks to ArtScroll’s authoritative editions. Now the same is happening regarding the Yerushalmi.
New Era of Yerushalmi Study
In recent years, the Yerushalmi Daf Yomi program has gained growing impetus, thanks to ArtScroll/Mesorah’s Schottenstein Edition in both Hebrew and English.
Historically, study of Yerushalmi was extremely limited and difficult. Roman hatred and persecution of the Jewish yishuv in Eretz Yisrael remained intense after the destruction of the Second Beis Hamikdash and the failed Bar Kochba rebellion. In approximately 400 C.E., Rome’s relentless pressure forced an end to the development of the Yerushalmi, before it could be completely organized and edited.
The style of the Yerushalmi is terse and difficult, and its Aramaic dialect is different from that of the Talmud Bavli. Due to Roman cruelty, there were very few handwritten manuscripts and they were not available for centuries; according to many authorities, Rashi never saw the Yerushalmi. And when texts were found, they were filled with errors. The result was that Yerushalmi was neglected for centuries and could be understood only by the greatest scholars. And — there was no Rashi commentary!
The Necessity to Study Yerushalmi
Such historic luminaries as the Arizal and the Vilna Gaon advocated study of Yerushalmi. The Rambam frequently rules like the Yerushalmi over the Bavli. Harav Chaim Kanievsky, shlita, urges that Yerushalmi be studied in conjunction with the Bavli, and his regular shiurim on Yerushalmi are transcribed and
published.
Especially in our time, study of Yerushalmi is essential because only the Yerushalmi — not the Bavli — has Gemara on Seder Zera’im, which makes it the primary source for the day-to-day agricultural laws of Israel. Study of the Yerushalmi is becoming more popular.
But the lack of commentaries and the difficulty of the text make Yerushalmi study almost impossible for the ordinary scholar, much less the layman.
The ArtScroll/Mesorah Edition
Now, thanks to ArtScroll/Mesorah, that has changed. In the words of Rabbi Yehezkel Danziger, editorial director of the project, “The Schottenstein Edition provides a thorough explanation of the text and makes the Yerushalmi accessible to everyone, in both English and Hebrew.”
It includes a corrected text of the Gemara. At the urging of Rav Kanievsky, ArtScroll has added commentaries not readily available, including that of Harav Shlomo of Sirilio, which Rav Chaim recommends most highly. The ArtScroll elucidation is based not only on the commentaries printed in the familiar Vilna Edition, but also on other excellent works. In addition, where necessary, the editors include an elucidation of alternate versions of the Talmud text, such as that of the Vilna Gaon. This edition also discusses cases where the Yerushalmi diverges from the Bavli.
Encouragement of Gedolim
The work was begun with the encouragement of Harav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv, zt”l, and other great Torah leaders in Israel and America. After examining the new edition, Harav Aharon Leib Shteinman, zt”l, was so impressed that he adopted it as the text for his weekly shiur in Yerushalmi, and he graciously sent a letter of commendation.
To date, the ArtScroll/Mesorah edition comprises all of Seder Zera’im and Seder Moed in Hebrew and English, as well as some of Seder Nashim and Seder Nezikin. Forty-three volumes are currently available in English and 29 in Hebrew. The elucidation is already acknowledged as a classic. Large teams of scholars in America and Israel are hard at work producing further volumes.
In the words of Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz, z”l, the founder of ArtScroll/Mesorah, “This may well be the most important project we have ever undertaken, because Yerushalmi was like a treasure locked in a vault without keys for more than 16 centuries. Baruch Hashem, that is no longer the case.”
The next cycle starts on August 4.
Now you can be a part of it.
With Tishah B’Av approaching, we want to help our readers prepare to have a meaningful fast. This week we are sharing two free downloads that will make your Tishah B’Av more meaningful.
Kinnos for the Six Million Kedoshim
The destruction of the Six Million is our own generation’s stark connection to the eternal Tishah B’Av. Two great and inspiring spiritual leaders of our time, The Bobover Rebbe and Rav Shimon Schwab composed Kinnos lamenting and memorializing the unspeakable tragedy. Adopted by many congregations worldwide, these painful laments are read on Tishah B’Av.
A Portion of the Talmud Related to the Destruction of the Temple
On Tishah B ’Av, it is customary to study the interpersonal conflicts which led to the ruin of the Second Temple. One well-known source comes from the Schottenstein Edition Talmud Bavli Tractate Gittin, pages 55b-56a.
May we merit to see the speedy coming of Mashiach, and the transformation of Tishah B’Av from a day or mourning to a day of celebration.
Soon we will be fasting on Tishah B’Av for the 1,948th time, mourning all that was lost to us during the Churban. That’s a long, long time.
Our Sages tell us, “Those who mourn the Beis HaMikdash will merit to see it rebuilt.” If we want the galus to end, we must mourn it properly. Here are some books that will help us mourn — and allow us, with Hashem’s help, to finally celebrate redemption.
Rav Chaim on the Three Weeks: Written by Rabbi Avraham Yeshayah Shteinman, grandson of Rav Chaim shlita and Rav Aharon Leib Steinman zt”l, this popular work includes Rav Chaim’s piskei halachah on the Three Weeks, Nine Days, and Tishah B’Av; the personal practices or Rav Chaim, the Chazon Ish and the Steipler; Rav Chaim’s comments on Megillas Eichah; the haftarahs of the Three Weeks, and selected Kinnos, as well as his teachings on mourning, consolation, and the coming of Mashiach. Interspersed throughout is a wealth of stories told by Rav Chaim himself.
The ArtScroll Eichah, translated and with commentary by Rabbi Meir Zlotowitz z”l: One of ArtScroll’s first classics, and still a bestseller, this work makes Megillas Eichah accessible like none other. Includes an Overview by Rabbi Nosson Scherman.
The ArtScroll Kinnos/Tishah B’Av Siddur: If anything captures the tragedy of the Churban, it is the Kinnos, composed to lament the destruction of both Temples and other tragedies in our history. This translation and commentary make the Kinnos understandable and meaningful, and the book includes the full prayer service for the entire Tishah B’Av.
The Schottenstein Edition Interlinear Kinnos/Tishah B’Av Siddur: With its word-by-word translation directly beneath the original Hebrew, the reader can recite the Kinnos in Hebrew while easily following the translation. Also includes the complete interlinear prayer service for Tishah B’Av, interlinear Megillas Eichah, Torah readings for Tishah B’Av, and laws of the fast.
The Kleinman Edition Midrash Rabbah on Megillas Eichah: In the Midrash Rabbah on Megillas Eichah, we share the Sages’ profound insights on the dreadful moments when the Temple burned and on the events that led to the catastrophe. Available in regular and compact sizes.
The Laws of Daily Living: The Three Weeks, Tishah B’Av, and Other Fasts: Rabbi Simcha Bunim Cohen teaches the laws of fast days (except Yom Kippur), the restrictions of the Three Weeks and Nine Days, and the laws of Tishah B’Av.
May we all merit seeing the rebuilding of the Beis Hamikdash soon in our days!
Hafrashas Challah: The Mitzvah of Challah, by Rebbetzin Esther Toledano, shows us the power of what seems to be a fairly simple mitzvah: separating a piece from our bread dough. Simple — but what power there is in that small piece! Power so immense, the Midrash tells us, that this mitzvah was given to rectify Chavah’s sin of eating from the forbidden tree.
The Shelah HaKadosh says that when we take challah we sanctify the bread, which then “purifies the body and the soul.” Looking for a segulah for parnassah, for health, for an easy birth? You don’t have to look further than that bowl of dough on your kitchen counter; taking challah is an ancient and accepted segulah for so many blessings. In addition to its immeasurable spiritual benefits, taking challah offers women an invaluable time to pour out their hearts in sincere prayer.
For the newbie who has never baked challah, and for the experienced baker looking for tips, ideas, or inspiration, Hafrashas Challah has something for everyone. It’s full of inspirational stories and insights to encourage regular challah baking. It includes prayers and techinos, in Hebrew and English, which can be recited while preparing the dough and taking the challah, and a fascinating explanation of the symbolism of each step in the baking process, with appropriate prayers. The laws of the mitzvah of taking challah are included, written in a clear, easy-to-follow style. In addition there are recipes, baking tips, and braiding instructions with full-color illustrations to make sure your challah comes out gorgeous. A special chapter gives all the reasons people say they can’t bake their own challah — and all the ways they will discover that they can.
With its stunning cover, suitable for embossing, and its beautifully designed, full-color pages, Hafrashas Challah makes a memorable and welcome gift for individuals, simchahs, and organizations.
In his Foreword to the book, Rabbi Warren Goldstein, Chief Rabbi of South Africa and founder of The Worldwide Shabbos Project, describes Hafrashas Challah: The Mitzvah of Challah: “This book unveils the beauty and power of the mitzvah of separating challah. It sets out in a clear and passionate style the practicalities, importance, and inspiration of the mitzvah of hafrashas challah. In so doing it does a great service for Klal Yisrael ….”
The time is now. Start baking — and taking — challah, and watch those blessings flow in!
Get your copy today at: Artscroll.com!
AS: What a fascinating life! How did it feel, writing the biography of Rav Meir Zlotowitz z”l?
RYB: I felt privileged. Rabbi Zlotowitz practically invented this industry; the entire vibrant world of Torah publishing is a tribute to him. But under the impact of this man is a very real, personal story. So many peaks and valleys, ups and downs, heartache and adversity before triumph.
AS: Did you have any personal encounters with Rabbi Zlotowitz?
RYB: Yes, many. He made me feel like a million dollars the first time we met, and when my first book was published he went and wished my parents mazel tov. He was a prince.
AS: Can you think of a story that truly captures the essence of who Meir Zlotowitz was?
RYB: It’s a hard choice, there are so many. This story moved me so much: Someone once “accused” Reb Meir of being “too generous,” unable to turn down anyone who appeared to be in need. Reb Meir conceded that it was true, and he commented that he could never forget how, during the years when he was struggling for every dollar, he was once seated at a simchah surrounded by a group of acquaintances. They were discussing what to buy their wives for the upcoming Yom Tov, complaining how hard it was to find the right gift. He was struck at how “tone-deaf” they sounded, how oblivious they were to the real challenges facing others — while he was wondering how he would purchase food for Yom Tov, they were distressed about which sort of gift to buy. At that moment, he promised himself that if ever he would be in a position to help others, he wouldn’t forget what it was like to be worried about buying basic necessities. “It’s not that I have a better or more generous nature than others,” he explained, “it’s just that I have a good memory!”
AS: What message does Rabbi Zlotowitz — and this biography — have for us?
RYB: “Hold on to your secret dreams.” Rav Meir was in his thirties before he was able to act on them. But he kept them safe and never forgot them. Treat the world with kavod, cherish relationships with friends, and family above all. This is a story of extreme kibud av v’eim, incredible dedication to his wife, children, and grandchildren and, despite a daunting workload, a man who was there for whomever needed him, steadfast and true.
Pre-order your copy today only at: artscroll.com!
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