Yeshivat Nahar Shalom

A historic Kabbalistic yeshiva in the heart of Jerusalem, dedicated to Torah study, spiritual growth, and community support.

Quick Links

  • About Us
  • Our Causes
  • Donate
  • Hebrew site
  • Shop

Contact

Yeshivat Nahar Shalom

6 Shilo Street (corner of Agrippas Street)

Jerusalem, Israel

For mail:

P.O. Box 1884

Jerusalem 9102701, Israel

02-622-2560 / 02-622-3001

Fax: 153-775001874

m6222560@gmail.com

Sun–Thu, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

© 2026 Yeshivat Nahar Shalom. All rights reserved.

Donations from the United States are received by Friends of Nahar Shalom Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 27-2007035), which supports Yeshivat Nahar Shalom in Jerusalem. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

All ClassesDaily Mishnah
All LeafletsThe Weekly Treasure
All ArticlesMoadey IsraelSegulotEssaysWhat's NewThe Weekly Parasha
General DonationDedicate a Day of Torah LearningTikkun NiftarimHachzakat AvrechPidyon Nefesh
Contact the YeshivaAsk Our RabbanimRequest a Bracha
Donate
Yeshivat Nahar ShalomJerusalem
  • Donate
Pidyon Nefesh - A personal Pidyon Nefesh, for you and your loved ones, whenever you need it
Dedicate a Day of Torah Learning - Dedicate 24 hours of Torah learning at Yeshivat Nahar Shalom for blessing, healing, or success, or in loving memory of a loved one.

Currently Viewing

More in What's New

  • The Special Pidyon Nefesh on the Day of the Hilula of the Kabbalist, the Man of G-d, Rabbi Mordechai Sharabi

  • Shabbat Breishit in Meron, 5787 At [the site of] the man of G-d, the Tanna, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai

    On Shabbat Breishit, a large public gathers in Meron from all over the country for a Holy Shabbat under the leadership of our teacher and rabbi, the Kabbalist Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, may he live for good and long days, Amen.

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 23rd of Tishrei - Isru Chag

    As Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai teaches: "Whoever makes a binding for the festival [Isrui Chag] through eating and drinking, Scripture accounts it to him as if he built an altar and offered a sacrifice, as it is said: 'Bind the festival offering with cords up to the horns of the altar.'"

  • The Holy Ark has been taken, Rabbi David Shalom Batzri

    With a broken and aching heart, we announce the passing of the righteous leader, unique in his generation in sanctity and his level of mourning over the Divine Presence and the entire Jewish people, who all his days was bound in a strong connection with Hashem, Blessed be He, and in His holy Torah

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 12th of Tishrei - Preparation for Sukkot

    Through these mathematical relationships, the word Sukkah directly hints at Noah’s Ark. Consequently, the Sukkah possesses that same protective spiritual force—expressed in the prayer "Spread over us the shelter of Your peace"—wherein a person is sheltered inside from all harsh external spiritual forces.

  • Ma'ot Ushpizin – Charity for the Poor on the Holiday of Sukkot

  • Invitation to the Simchat Beit HaShoeva Celebration at Nahar Shalom Yeshiva 16 Tishrei 5787 (Sept. 27, 2026)

    "He who has not seen the celebration of Simchat Beit Hashoeva has never seen celebration in his life"

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 11th of Tishrei

  • Pidyon Nefesh on Hoshana Rabbah

    Beating the Willow (Chavtat HaAravah) On Hoshana Rabbah, the Four Species are set aside, and the willows (aravot) alone are taken. Our Sages explain that the willow specifically—symbolizing one who possesses neither learning (taste) nor good deeds (scent)—demonstrates the power of every Jew to draw close, be included in the collective of Israel, and ask for heavenly salvation.

  • Not To Make A Mistake About The Task by Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva

    Says the Chafetz Chaim: The Holy One, Blessed be He, did not give the verse "Almighty G-d, merciful and gracious, slow to anger" just for you to read. Rather for you to do! So that you too will be gracious, you too will be merciful, you too will be slow to anger, you too will be abundant in loving-kindness! You need to do, not read! Why read? Do!

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 5th of Tishrei

    However, for transgressions between a person and their fellow human being, Yom Kippur does not atone. If a person shames or hurts another, no forgiveness is granted from Above until he personally approaches his neighbor and appeases him.

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 4th of Tishrei

    The Gemara notes that since the destruction of the Holy Temple, an iron wall of sin separates us from Hashem. However, as the Rokeach explains, on the Sabbath all spiritual fog and accusers clear away. The worlds ascend, allowing prayer and Torah study to shine a thousand times brighter. Because the Sabbath represents the King's palace, desecrating it is akin to rebelling against the King inside His own home. If this is true of the Sabbath, it is doubly true of Yom Kippur—the "Sabbath of Sabbaths"—which resembles the World to Come. The Kabbalists and the Ari teach that a supreme light begins descending upon the world even on Erev Yom Kippur.

  • The power of a righteous person for every single individual

    And right now, the repentance of an individual person— it is like the repentance of an entire congregation; so, writes the Rambam (Maimonides). The Rambam writes that the repentance of an individual is accepted during the Ten Days of Repentance just as when a whole congregation stands and cries out. Just like when the greatest righteous man (tzaddik) stands and cries out. Right now, during the Ten Days of Repentance!

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 3rd of Tishrei and Remembering the Passing of Rabbi Ephraim Cohen

    Once, on a Sabbath eve, Rabbi Efraim was warned in a dream that the Chamin (Sabbath stew) prepared for his family contained non-kosher meat and that he should not consume it. Perplexed, Rabbi Efraim noted that he had purchased the meat from a scrupulously righteous butcher. Upon investigating, it was discovered that a woman had secretly purchased non-kosher fat from an outside vendor and added it to the pot to enhance the flavor. Heaven intervened directly to preserve his spiritual purity.

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Preparing for the Day of Judgment through True Repentance and Chizuk for the 26th of Elul

    The Chatam Sofer explained that this represents people who fall into the trap of the evil inclination. In the month of Elul, instead of performing genuine soul-searching to clean their lives and escape their problems, they attempt to partake in spiritual "delicacies" while remaining in a musty, unrepentant state. A person cannot properly repent while leaving his spiritual home in such decay. The evil inclination entices people to stay put, which is why a person must engage in daily soul-searching, morning and evening, to truly return.

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: The Day of the Creation of the World and Chizuk for the 25th of Elul

    It is critical on Rosh Hashanah to avoid anger. While anger is forbidden throughout the year, getting angry on Rosh Hashanah is particularly damaging. A person is judged according to his state at that precise moment (just as was stated regarding Ishmael, "where he is"). If a person worked on himself all year but exhibits anger on Rosh Hashanah, that moment negates his previous conduct. One must overcome the Evil Inclination on this day by avoiding anger, unnecessary speech, and all traces of sin.

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: The Sanctity of Elul, the Days of Kindness, and the Legacy of the Chafetz Chaim and Chizuk for the 24th of Elul

    Regarding spiritual struggles, the Chafetz Chaim taught that a person must never despair or delay spiritual growth by waiting for a more convenient time. Commenting on the verse, "The place on which you stand is holy ground," he explained that a person must not say, "Right now the struggle is too difficult; I will wait for a better time or higher spiritual state." The exact place and circumstance in which a person currently finds himself is the holy ground where he must serve Hashem and succeed.

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 22nd of Elul

    They made an agreement, and he took it upon himself not to lie, but to speak only the truth. That was all. Then something miraculous happened. In the evening, his companions came and said to him, "Listen, we have targeted a wealthy person; we tracked him, and today there is a huge loot there. Come with us." He thought to himself and told them, "Listen, I pledged to speak only the truth. Now, if we get caught, I will have to reveal the truth, and all of you will be caught!" They said to him, "Get away from us immediately! Do not come with us." They asked, "Did you swear?" He said, "Yes, to speak only the truth."

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 21st of Elul

    Standing on the storm-tossed ship, the young man cried out his confession: "What is my sin? For two full years, I lied to my mother every day, telling her that I had already eaten at school so that she would give my portion of food to my younger brothers and sisters! For two years I lied to her! That is the sin I am confessing!"

  • Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 20th of Elul

    We see this explicitly with King Menasheh. Menasheh engaged in every severe idolatry imaginable. The Talmud (Sanhedrin) notes that he erected massive idols requiring a thousand men to hold, crushing many in the process, and he erased Divine Names from Torah scrolls to write the names of pagan deities. Yet when he was placed inside a copper cauldron by his captors to be burned, he called out in repentance. Although the ministering angels tried to block his prayers, the Holy One, blessed be He, dug a secret tunnel beneath His Throne of Glory to accept Menasheh's repentance, miraculously delivering him.

What's New

Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, Head of the Yeshiva: Chizuk for the 17th of Elul

By Yeshivat Nahar Shalom Staff•August 31, 2026
Historical Context and the Weight of the 17th of ElulTransforming Curses into Blessings on the Penultimate and Final ShabbatsThe Dubno Maggid’s Parable of the Sick PrinceRabbi David Batzri and the New York trialUnetanneh Tokef, three actions avert an evil decree: Repentance (Teshuvah), Prayer (Tefillah), and Charity (Tzedakah)

Just as an earthly grandfather orchestrated an acquittal for his grandson, the Father in Heaven performs miracles for His children when they return to Him. On the upcoming Day of Judgment, taking on even a single resolution of self-improvement serves as a powerful defense lawyer before the Heavenly Court.

Rabbi Shmueli

Historical Context and the Weight of the 17th of Elul

The date of the 17th of Elul carries dual significance in Jewish history. According to Megillat Taanit, the 17th of Elul is designated as a holiday (Yom Tov) commemorating the day when the Romans were driven out and removed from Judah and Jerusalem. Historically, the Romans had severely distressed the Jewish residents of Jerusalem until their expulsion on this date.

However, one must also look at the heavy events that occurred on this same calendar date in modern history. The 17th of Elul marked the outbreak of World War II, falling on the Shabbat when Parashat Ki Tavo—containing the Tochachah (the Rebuke)—was read. During the catastrophe that followed, millions of Jewish lives were lost, including towering Torah giants, Chasidic elders, and leaders likened to the cedars of Lebanon. The world was plunged into severe darkness. The deeply etched memories related by Holocaust survivors underscore the absolute necessity of acting in a way that ensures such tragedy never happens again. Everything depends upon human action, and prayer is offered that Hashem may save, assist, and bring good tidings to His nation Israel.

Transforming Curses into Blessings on the Penultimate and Final Shabbats

Through divine assistance, the Jewish nation experiences Sabbaths full of blessings. The Arizal teaches that when a person walks in the path of Hashem, all curses contained in the Torah are transformed into blessings.

The Talmud states, "If the people of Israel keep two Sabbaths, they are immediately redeemed." Following the penultimate Sabbath, the final Sabbath of the year—Parashat Nitzavim—arrives. This last Sabbath possesses the unique spiritual capacity to elevate every single Sabbath of the entire preceding year. Because of this elevating power, one must exert immense effort and exercise extreme care in observing it properly.

The Chafetz Chaim's Parable of the Blindfold and the Forest

To illustrate how people misinterpret the Torah's warnings, a story is told of the Chafetz Chaim. Upon visiting a synagogue on the Sabbath of Parashat Ki Tavo, he noticed congregants fleeing outside during the reading of the Tochachah (the curses). To help them understand their error, he shared the following parable:

A businessman had to travel through a dangerous forest filled with predatory animals, such as lions and bears, to conduct his affairs. Terrified of the journey, he tossed and turned all night. Seeing his anguish, his wife offered him a trick:

"Take this black cloth," she told him. "Before entering the forest, tie it tightly over your eyes so you cannot see the lions, bears, or leopards. That way, you won't be afraid!"

The husband replied, "What kind of logic is that? Just because I don't see them does not mean they cannot see me! They are still there, roaring and watching me!"

The Chafetz Chaim explained that running away from the reading of the curses is identical to wearing that blindfold. The entire purpose of the curses is not to harm, but to reveal the consequences of wrong choices so that a person will choose the correct path. As the Torah explicitly commands, "And you shall choose life."

Secrets of the Wilderness and the Nature of Heavenly Warnings

Regarding Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's flight from the Romans, scripture states: "Rabbi Shimon Azal Lo Ve'arik Lemidbara" ("Rabbi Shimon went and fled to the wilderness"). The first letters of these four Hebrew words—Azal (אזל), Lo (לו), Ve'arik (וברח/ועריק), Lemidbara (למדברא)—form an acronym for ELUL (אלול).

While hidden in the cave at Peki'in, the secret mysteries of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy were revealed to Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, echoing the promise given to Moshe: "And I will place you in the cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with My hand until I have passed by."

Yet even while experiencing these exalted visions, his disciples sent him a query asking about the frightening curses written in the Torah. Rabbi Shimon wept, but Eliyahu the Prophet arrived to reassure him: the terrifying warnings were intended only to awaken awe and repentance; when the Jewish people walk in the path of Hashem, those curses will never come to fruition.

The Dubno Maggid’s Parable of the Sick Prince

The Dubno Maggid explained this concept through another parable:

A king's prince fell dangerously ill. A physician prescribed a massive regimen of bitter antibiotics and syrups, but the spoiled child—accustomed only to rich steaks, roasted lamb, and orange juice—refused to swallow any medication.

A master physician arrived and instructed the king to purchase hundreds of pills and syrups. Rather than forcing the child to ingest them directly, the doctor placed all the medications into a large pot of boiling water inside the prince's room, filling the space with therapeutic vapors. As the child breathed the air, he continuously inhaled the healing properties without ever having to swallow the bitter medicine directly, successfully driving out the illness.

The Dubno Maggid taught that the harsh curses in the Torah operate like those vapors. They are listed in large quantities to act as a preventive remedy and instill proper fear, not to be consumed directly as actual punishment upon the people.

Personal Conduct and Heavenly Reflection

The verse states: "You are standing today, all of you, before Hashem your L-rd." A person's standing before Hashem reflects their internal state and self-arrangement.

Proverbs teaches, "As face answers to face in water, so does the heart of man to man." How a person conducts himself down below dictates how he is treated from Above. The sages note on the verse "Know what is Above from you" (Da mah lema'alah – mimcha): you can discern what transpires in the Heavenly realm by looking at yourself (mimcha atzmecha). Furthermore, "Hashem is your shadow at your right hand"—just as a shadow mirrors every movement of the body, Heaven mirrors human behavior.

The Providence of Judgment: The Story of the New York Trial

The power of sincere prayer and repentance before the Day of Judgment is demonstrated in a real incident involving a young Israeli man from Bnei Brak:

Struggling to earn a living, the young man moved to America in hopes that "changing a place changes, one's fortune." He settled in New York and built a successful chain of pizza shops. Over time, he fell in with wild companions who convinced him to enter the illicit drug trade for quick, massive profits. Though he initially amassed large sums of money easily, an undercover police operation eventually caught him.

Facing severe federal charges, his high-priced defense attorneys warned that he could face up to 70 years in prison, with even the top lawyer claiming the absolute best outcome he could negotiate was a 25-year sentence. Desperate and facing the ruin of his life, the young man sought the counsel and blessings of the revered Kabbalist Rabbi David Batzri, who was visiting New York to inspire repentance.

Rabbi Batzri comforted him, urging him to pour out his heart in tears to Hashem every single day and undertake complete repentance. The young man transformed his life entirely, weeping in daily prayer while Rabbi Batzri offered spiritual support.

On the day of the trial, a severe storm grounded all flights, preventing the lead defense lawyer from traveling to court. The law firm could only send a novice intern who was completely unfamiliar with the complexities of the case. Rabbi Batzri instructed the young man: "It does not matter; whatever comes from Heaven is for the best. Keep crying out to Hashem."

During the proceedings, the novice intern stumbled through a weak, disorganized presentation. Yet to the total shock of the courtroom and legal observers across America, the presiding judge rendered a verdict of complete acquittal.

Surprised by the impossible outcome, representatives questioned the intern. He revealed the secret behind the judge's astonishing leniency:

"Where is your head? That judge is my grandfather! He wanted more than anything to see me succeed in my very first trial!"

Just as an earthly grandfather orchestrated an acquittal for his grandson, the Father in Heaven performs miracles for His children when they return to Him. On the upcoming Day of Judgment, taking on even a single resolution of self-improvement serves as a powerful defense lawyer before the Heavenly Court.

Practical Preparation for the Last Shabbat of the Year

The verse "You are standing today" (Atem nitzavim hayom) contains hidden depth:

  • The word Atem (אתם - Aleph, Tav, Mem) forms the acronym for Even mikir tiz'ak ("A stone shall cry out from the wall"). On the Day of Judgment, even inanimate stones cry out, highlighting the critical importance of earnest prayer.
  • Atem (אתם) also forms the acronym for Elul, Teshuvah Mekubelet ("Elul, repentance is accepted").
  • Nitzavim (נצבים - Nun, Tzadi, Bet, Yud, Mem) forms the acronym for Noten Tzedakah Basetar Yinnatzel Mimavet ("He who gives charity in secret will be saved from death").
  • "Standing" (Nitzavim) further hints at standing attentively during the Selichot prayers.

Because the upcoming Shabbat is the final one of the year, it contains the root energy of the entire week and the forthcoming Rosh Hashanah. Great care must be taken regarding all Sabbath prohibitions:

  1. Learning Mishnah: It is recommended to study 24 chapters of Mishnah on Shabbat. Corresponding to the 24 types of spiritual impurities cast by the primeval serpent into Chava (Eve), there are 24 bridal ornaments. Reading 24 chapters of Mishnah adorns the Divine Presence (Shechinah) and cleanses spiritual filth.
  2. Amplified Value: The Ben Ish Chai notes that every hour of Shabbat during the month of Elul holds immense spiritual weight—multiplied exponentially, every single Shabbat of Elul carries the value of 1,000 months.
  3. The Silent Blessing: Although this Shabbat is Shabbat Mevarchim (the Sabbath that precedes the new month of Tishrei), no formal announcement blessing the month is recited in the synagogue, so as to conceal the date from Satan. However, in Heaven, the Holy One, Blessed be He, personally sanctifies the month of Tishrei for Israel.

Rosh Hashanah is the decisive day when all creatures are remembered for life, death, relief, distress, or sustenance. A complete transformation of behavior on this final Shabbat can positively alter one's verdict for the entire new year.

Unity, the Decalogue (loosely translated as the Ten Commandments), and the Shofar

The month of Tishrei is called Yereach HaEitanim (the month of the mighty), referring to the patriarchs born within it. Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin observed that if a person fears merely speaking before a mortal king, how much more must he tremble if he has sinned against the King, misused the King's treasure, or rebelled against His command? Therefore, thorough inner purification is required.

The Zohar on Unity

Addressing the verse "You are standing today, all of you," the Zohar asks how the people are able to stand unified before Hashem. "All of you" (kulchem) means standing with one heart in complete unity—from the leaders, elders, and judges to every individual member of the community.

The Two Days of Rosh Hashanah and the Commandments

The Talmud designates Rosh Hashanah across the world as Yoma Arichta ("one long day" lasting 48 hours). Rabbi Jonathan Eybeschutz provides an explanation for this structure:

  • The Ten Days of Repentance correspond directly to the Decalogue.
  • The first two commandments—"I am Hashem your L-rd" and "You shall have no other gods"—were divine utterances spoken simultaneously in a single speech (be'dibbur echad).
  • Because these first two commandments were uttered as one, the first two days of the Ten Days of Repentance (which are the two days of Rosh Hashanah) form a single, unified 48-hour period (Yoma Arichta).

The Three Pillars of Mitigation

As written by Rabbi Amnon of Mainz in the liturgical poem Unetanneh Tokef, three actions avert an evil decree: Repentance (Teshuvah), Prayer (Tefillah), and Charity (Tzedakah).

All these actions must be actively cultivated during Elul in preparation for the great Day of Judgment. In particular, one must prepare spiritually for the blowing of the Shofar, heeding the prophet's call: "If a shofar is blown in a city, will the people not tremble? Improve your deeds!"

The Nearness of Repentance and Concluding Prayer

The Torah emphasizes that repentance is not distant or unachievable: "It is not in heaven... nor is it beyond the sea. But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it."

One does not need to ascend to the heavens to fix sins that affected higher spiritual realms, nor travel across the sea to repair past damage. Through spoken words of prayer and heartfelt regret right where a person stands, complete rectification is achieved.

Concluding Kabbalistic Prayer and Fast Notice

During this season of Elul, supplications are offered invoking the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy:

"Who is an Almighty One like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His heritage... You will show truth to Yaakov and kindness to Avraham..."

(The continuation of this Kabbalistic prayer, will not be presented here in English.)

As the final days of the year approach—with less than two weeks remaining before Rosh Hashanah—all are encouraged to strengthen their spiritual preparations. This week includes a special tikkun (rectification service), along with a fast on Thursday to perform a general rectification for past transgressions.