Israel is beloved to all

Hi,

"From the way all of the nations build great cities and name them after the  mountains of Israel, we see how beloved the land of Israel is to all of the nations of the world."

(Talmud, Chullin 60b)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Justice and Tzedakah will eliminate fast days

Hi,

"If you will engage in justice and tzedakah, you will not need to fast, for we will build the Beit haMikdash and you will ascend from exile and you will dwell in the land eternally."

(Radak to Zecharyah 7:5)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

Why fast?

Hi,

"There are days when all Jews fast because of the troubles that have beset them on those days. The goal is to awaken the hearts, to open the paths of repentance...

"As we remember these things, we will return to do what is right, as it is written, 'And they shall admit their sins and the sins of their ancestors...'"

(Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Fasts 5:1)

Have an easy and meaningful fast,
Mordechai

The eighth of Tevet

Hi,

Friday is the eighth of Tevet:

"On the eighth of Tevet the Torah was written in Greek, in the days of King Ptolemy, and darkness came to the world for three days. Our sages did not say what happened on the ninth, but on that day Ezra and Nechemiah died. On the tenth, the king of Babylon neared Jerusalem to destroy her."

(Baal Halachot Gedolot #18)
 
Have a good day,
Mordechai

Prayer nourishes study

Hi,

"Torah study is supported by prayer; those who extend their prayer with concentration will have their Torah study blessed and maintained within their hearts."

(Comment of Vilna Gaon to Tikunei Zohar 70)

Have a great day,

Mordechai

Reverence for the throne

Hi,

"Rabbi Yannai taught: Reverence for the throne should always be upon you, as it is written (Sh'mot 11), 'All of your slaves will descend to me and bow to me, saying, 'Leave, you and all of the nation that is with you.'"

(Talmud, Menachot 98a)

The reference to Sh'mot 11 is to Moses' speech to Pharoah. Moses tells Pharaoh that Pharaoh's slaves will come and bow to Moses. In fact, Pharaoh himself would end up doing this - but Moses, out of respect for Pharaoh and the throne, refers only to the slaves.

Have a great day,

Mordechai

The miracle of the showbread

Hi,

"In the Temple they used to hold up the table for those who came to Jerusalem for the festivals, and show them the lechem hapanim [showbread] on the table and say, 'See how beloved you are before Gd!' For Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi taught that a great miracle occurred for the showbread: it was as warm when removed from the table as it had been when first placed on the table [a week earlier]."

(Talmud, Menachot 96b)

Have a great day,

Mordechai