The Artscroll Studios’ Podcast

Rabbi Aaron Brafman was the much-beloved and revered menahel of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. He was also a respected author and a dedicated askan. But more: He was a man who loved every Jew, who saw potential where others saw failure. In the words of a talmid, he was a man “who lived and breathed Klal Yisrael; whose days were filled with Torah and maasim tovim … and most of all, who epitomized the term ‘rebbi.’” In this interview, we spoke to Rabbi Brafman’s son, Rabbi Avrohom Baruch Brafman, and Rabbi Brafman’s close talmid, Rabbi Dov Keilson.

Rabbi Aaron Brafman was the much-beloved and revered menahel of Yeshiva of Far Rockaway. He was also a respected author and a dedicated askan. But more: He was a man who loved every Jew, who saw potential where others saw failure. In the words of a talmid, he was a man “who lived and breathed Klal Yisrael; whose days were filled with Torah and maasim tovim … and most of all, who epitomized the term ‘rebbi.’” In this interview, the author of Rabbi Brafman’s biography, Rabbi Shimon Finkelman, gives us a glimpse into the life of this extraordinary man.

Rabbi Moshe Sherer not only changed history, he made history. After a half-century of Rabbi Sherer’s wise, visionary, charismatic, and indefatigable advocacy and leadership, the Torah community was luxuriant, respected, and influential — and the gedolei Torah were its authoritative voice. Much that we take for granted today was shepherded by him through Congress and legislatures, through executive chambers and the courts, such as aid to yeshivos, the rights of Torah institutions, and employment security for Shabbos observers. Rabbi Sherer was at home in many worlds. He was the loyal servant and confidant of great Torah sages; and a friend and adviser of people in the highest echelons of power – but he was attentive to the needs of the humblest “Reb Yisrael.” He was a visionary, yet he had insight into the art of the possible. Now, 25 years since his passing, Inside ArtScroll features a scintillating interview with his son, Rav Shimshon Sherer, who shares personal memories of his legendary father, who was center stage, yet remained an intensely private, loving family man. This is an interview you don’t want to miss.

In his brilliant essay on ahavas Yisrael, the Beis HaLevi, Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik, beautifully explains the mitzvah of loving your fellow Jew. Who does the mitzvah apply to? When does it apply? What do I need to do to fulfill it properly? The Beis HaLevi also provides incentives to help us do the mitzvah in the best possible way. Translated and elucidated by Rabbi David Sutton, author of ArtScroll’s bestselling Beis HaLevi on Bitachon, Beis Halevi on Ahavas Yisrael contains wonderful insights, uplifting stories, and in-depth appendices, as well as a special section of touching anecdotes about gedolim from a range of generations and communities. In this Inside ArtScroll interview, Rabbi Sutton gives us an inside look as this life-changing work.

In ArtScroll’s Kisvei HaRambam, writings of the Rambam, including his famous 13 Principles of Faith and related selections, are translated phrase-by-phrase, annotated, and elucidated with additional insights. Enlightening, inspiring, and engrossing, this ArtScroll commentary provides an opportunity to engage with fundamental aspects of the Torah in English and understand them clearly as never before. This Inside ArtScroll interview features Rabbi Shnayor Burton, one of the brilliant talmidei chachomim who worked on this project and other prominent works. The conversation is informative, educational – and compelling.

An Israeli child is born in a Ukrainian bomb shelter -- and United Hatzalah brings her home under fire ... A United Hatzalah volunteer scales a 12-foot-wall – and is the first to respond to the tragedy of Meron ... Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah, slips and breaks his leg racing to an emergency -- and manages to crawl to the choking child and save her life ... The amazing work of Israel’s United Hatzalah began, incredibly, when five-year-old Eli Beer witnessed a terror attack and dreamed of being the one to save the victim. While still a young teen, Eli set out to make that dream come true, creating an underground network of pioneering EMTs who were determined to bring their life-saving skills to victims in only 90 seconds, no matter where they were. Eli Beer’s book, 90 Seconds, written by the mega-talented Rabbi Nachman Seltzer, is the story of how a boy who failed in school created one of the world’s largest all-volunteer emergency services. It’s the story of dramatic rescues, sometimes under fire. Of life-changing and life-saving innovations such as the “ambucycle.” Of bringing United Hatzalah’s lifesaving experience to Nepal, Haiti, and, most recently, Ukraine, and their heart-rending rescue work in the Surfside and Versailles wedding hall tragedies. In this Inside ArtScroll interview, we get to learn, from Eli himself, more of the story of how with determination, vision, self-sacrifice and compassion -- and, of course, siyata D’Shmaya -- lives can be saved and dreams can come true. [Purchase the new book HERE.]

In Living Chessed, Rabbi Avrohom Asher Makovsky shares with us many Torah sources that talk about chessed, inspirational insights and guidance and, above all, stories of how chessed – even something as small as a compliment, a smile, or a hug – can transform the lives of both the one giving and the one receiving the chessed. In brief, readable chapters, we will discover how everyone can be a great baal chessed. In Living Chessed and in this uplifting Inside Artscroll interview, Rabbi Makovsky shows us how we can, indeed, “live chessed” throughout our days, enriching the lives of others. And enriching our own lives as well. [Purchase the new book HERE.]

Rabbi Fishel Schachter makes us think. Makes us laugh. And makes us better. Better parents, better people, better Jews. Rabbi Schachter knows what happens in our lives. The little annoyances and the big challenges. The happiness and the angst. He knows what happens to us – because it often happens to him as well! And when “life” happens – the vanishing parking space, the bored kids on vacation, the last minute pre-Shabbos misadventures – he knows what we should do. Learn a lesson of hashgachah pratis. Think of a story that enhances our emunah. Discover an insight that puts everything in a different – more positive – light. Remember to thank Hashem for everything. And, of course, smile and find the joy in His plans for us. In Did This Ever Happen to You? Rabbi Schachter, a popular rebbi, speaker, maggid shiur, columnist and storyteller, combines practical advice in chinuch and middos development with anecdotes and stories that are always engaging and often laugh-out-loud funny. Did This Ever Happen To You? touches on topics ranging from seeing hashgachah pratis in our lives to mitzvos such as hachnasas orchim and giving tzedakah; from strengthening our bitachon to outlooks on tefillah. In this exciting Inside ArtScroll interview, like in his book, we see that no one tells a story quite like Rabbi Schachter, using stories as an incredibly effective - and often funny - means of guiding us through whatever challenges we are facing. Watch…and be prepared to laugh and to learn. [Purchase the new book HERE.]

Twenty years ago, Roy (Yisroel) and Leah (Linda) Neuberger electrified the Jewish world with Roy’s book, From Central Park to Sinai, sharing the story of their return to Torah and Jewish life. Now, in the riveting From Sinai to Yerushalayim, bestselling author Rabbi Nachman Seltzer joins them on their fascinating journey, revealing new and unusual parts of the Neubergers’ lives, both before they became observant and in the two decades since they shared their story and became world-traveling ambassadors of Torah. In this fascinating Inside ArtScroll interview, Roy and Leah describe how they were born to wealth and privilege, and educated in the most prestigious schools. Roy and Leah should have been contented and happy, and yet something was missing, always missing ... until they found Torah. In this interview, and in the new page-turner of a book, prepare to discover an adventure-filled life, full of surprises and inspiration. [Purchase the new book HERE.]

Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman is the rav of Congregation Ahavas Israel in Passaic, New Jersey, and a renowned speaker and writer. Born and raised in Brooklyn, after marriage he spent years learning in kollel in Eretz Yisroel and in the States. After teaching Torah as a rebbi in yeshiva for two decades, in 1997 he was appointed as the rav of Ahavas Israel, which today hosts forty minyanim a day. In addition to his rabbinic functions, Rabbi Eisenman is a professor at Lander College for Women and has published three books, including Shul With A View, which allows the reader to enter the world of a shul rabbi, brimming with unforgettable personalities, joyous events, and sometimes tragic misunderstandings. In this Inside ArtScroll interview, you’ll revel in Rabbi Eisenman’s honesty and be intrigued by his life story. Rabbi Eisenman has a way with words that brings people and places to life, and a sense of humor that shines. Watch and enjoy. [Buy the book HERE]

Rav Elya Meir Sorotzkin zt”l became a rosh yeshivah at a very young age and, with “blood, sweat and tears,” as he would often say, built his yeshiva into a premier institution, and, more importantly, built individual talmidim. Because he personally went through the painstaking process of self-discovery and growth, he was able to identify with the struggles and triumphs of his talmidim in a way that few could. This Inside ArtScroll interview features a conversation with a close talmid, Rabbi Tzvi Uhr, who describes the lifelong impact that his rebbi had on his talmidim, giving us an appreciation for how every page in the biography of Rav Elya Meir Sorotzkin will inspire and uplift us. [Buy the book HERE]

Nachman’s Schachter’s Ten Steps to Eternity is a unique book. It is a sefer that examines the ten nisyonos of Avraham Avinu through the eyes of the Midrash, with fascinating details and thought-provoking insights. It is also a book of many true, original, never-before-published stories about Avraham’s “children” – contemporary Jews who have incorporated Avraham’s beliefs and accomplishments into their own lives. This combination of insights and incredible stories leaves one amazed by how our fellow Jews courageously and faithfully follow our forefather’s holy path. In this Inside ArtScroll interview, the author discusses why he wrote the book – and why he thinks every Jew will gain immeasurably from reading it. [Buy the book HERE]

Rabbi Heshy Kleinman changed the way tens of thousands of Jews daven through the bestselling classics, Praying With Fire, Praying With Fire 2, and Yearning With Fire. He also showed us how to truly take advantage of the powerful gift of teshuvah in his book, The Power of Teshuvah. Rabbi Kleinman lectures internationally on tefillah and other topics and is the co-founder of the V’Ani Tefillah Foundation, dedicated to increasing awareness of the importance and power of prayer, and to providing education, inspiration, and tools for more sincere, powerful and effective tefillah. In this Inside ArtScroll interview, Rabbi Kleinman shares details about his background, how he got into book-writing, and his vision for a 40-day worldwide teshuvah initiative.

Bitachon. How to get it. How to strengthen it. How to learn to rely on Hashem. In every part of our lives. Bitachon – knowing that you can fully rely on Hashem, and only on Hashem – is an essential part of our Chovos HaLevavos, our “service of the heart.” It is the wondrous gift that enables us to enjoy the blessing of “menuchas hanefesh” – a hard-to-define concept that includes serenity, tranquility, and peace of mind. In his newest book, A Daily Dose of Bitachon, Rabbi David Sutton, author of many important works including Beis HaLevi on Bitachon and Embrace Shabbos, shares with us more than 130 readings, designed for the consistent daily use that enables truly effective change. Drawn from the classic wisdom of the Chovos HaLevavos Shaar HaBitachon, these insights into this “service of the heart” are remarkably contemporary, speaking to our own challenges. Each reading ends with a practical takeaway, ensuring that we incorporate bitachon into our everyday encounters. And of course, Rabbi Sutton shares stories that show us the amazing power of bitachon. In this Inside ArtScroll episode, Rabbi Sutton discusses the new book, including how to reframe our thoughts, how to properly balance human effort with bitachon in Hashem, and how to strengthen our connection to Hashem both in good times and hard ones. This book is a must-have – and this interview is as engaging as the book is! Watch and enjoy. Buy the book HERE!

Meaningful Minute founder and coordinator Nachi Gordon understands the power of one minute: every word a block with which you can build, every thought filled with potential to uplift – short, but so powerful. In this Inside ArtScroll interview, Nachi discusses his Meaningful Minute book and his journey working to creating the Meaningful Minute platform, ensuring that the meaningful messages he transmits have the power to impact people’s lives positively. Buy the book HERE!

Over the last decade, tens of thousands of children have been educated and informed by ArtScroll’s Let’s Stay Safe book, which some educators have called “the most important picture book you will ever share with your children.” In this Inside ArtScroll interview, Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz speaks about the groundbreaking book, his efforts to educate children about personal safety, contemporary chinuch, and much more. [Purchase the book HERE.]

Hacham Yom Tob Yedid lived an epic life of courage and devotion through his decades as Chief Rabbi of the glorious Halab (Aleppo) community. As the community’s leader during its last days, he courageously faced challenges, torture, and threats. Amidst the confusion and turmoil, Hacham Yom Tob had the enormous responsibility of keeping his community devoted to Torah and tradition. And he accomplished the impossible: Halab remained as it had for centuries, a city where everyone kept Shabbat, prayed in the Bet Knesset, and stayed connected to Torah. How did he do it? How did a young man, thrown into a role with great responsibility, respond so fearlessly, demonstrating wisdom and leadership well beyond his years? The ArtScroll biography For the Sake of Heaven takes us on an epic journey from Halab of old to tree-lined Brooklyn streets. With its fascinating twists and turns, this is a biography that reads almost like a novel, leaving us awed as we see so clearly the impact of one who devotes his life to teaching and studying Torah. In this Inside ArtScroll interview, Rabbi Meyer Yedid, son of Hacham Yom Tob, speaks about his father’s incredible story of heroism, courage and the power granted to one who is totally devoted to Torah. [Purchase the new book HERE.]

How did Rebbetzin Sara Murik – the beloved, larger-than-life “Morah Murik” – live a life of such vast accomplishment and overflowing love? How did she care for thousands – and for every individual Jew? How did a little Yerushalmi girl become one of America’s most renowned Bais Yaakov educators? Proudly wearing her school uniform, like every other Bais Yaakov girl under her care, Morah Murik rarely walked. “Our Morah in Uniform” raced and danced and sang through the corridors of the schools she founded, first in Chicago and later in Lakewood. For Morah Murik, no task was too small: Though principal of the school, she would wash the floors in the absence of the janitor. And no challenge was too large – not even the daunting task of founding a brand new school at the age of 70. In this Inside ArtScroll episode, two of her grandsons, Rabbi Shragy Zeldes and Rabbi Shragi Malinowitz, share memories of their grandmother, describing her overflowing love for people and her joy and creativity as an educator. Morah Murik’s impact continues to be felt through a new absorbing, engaging ArtScroll biography, aptly titled Our Morah in Uniform, still teaching us to feel the strength of Hashem’s love for us, and helping us return that love to Him and to His children.

The 13 Ikkarei Emunah, the Ani Maamins, appear in our siddurim, and many of us recite them every day after tefillah. And yet … do we understand what they mean in our own everyday lives and actions? In a new thoughtful work, Ani Maamin – A Mission for Life, Rabbi Yechezkel Elias examines each of the 13 Ikkarei Emunah. Using contemporary examples that we can all understand and relate to, he makes the often difficult concepts contained in the 13 Ikkarim clear, comprehensible, and very, very relevant. Each Ikkar is followed by a section titled How does this affect my daily life?, which shows us how to put these foundational beliefs into practice in our own lives. In this Inside ArtScroll interview, Rabbi Elias discusses his new book, how it came to be, and some personal background. The Ani Maamin Initiative was created l’ilui nishmas habachur Dovi Steinmetz z”l, one of the 45 precious neshamos who lost their lives in the Meron Lag Ba’omer tragedy. Created by Dovi’s father, Reb Shloimi Steinmetz, the initiative has successfully encouraged thousands to say the 13 Ikkarei Emunah. As part of the initiative, Rabbi Elias gave a series of shiurim on each of the 13 Ikkarei Emunah, which form the basis of this beautifully presented book. [Purchase the new book HERE.]

Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky has been involved in the field of Jewish education and outreach for over thirty years. He grew up in North Merrick, Long Island, one of six boys, of whom, he says, he is the quietest. He studied at Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim and Yeshiva Heichal HaTorah, and for nine years was the Long Island Director of the National Conference of Synagogue Youth. In 1988, Rabbi Orlofsky moved to Israel, where he lives in Yerushalayim with his wife Simi and their children and grandchildren. He now teaches in various yeshivos and seminaries in Israel. Several years ago, ArtScroll was privileged to publish Everyone’s Entitled to My Opinion – The Wisdom and Wit of Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky, containing fascinating insights and practical advice from Rabbi Orlofsky, a one-of-a-kind phenomenon in the world of Jewish thought. A globe-trotting speaker and beloved teacher, he takes a blunt, honest, always wise and often very funny look at our lives as observant Jews. He finds what’s wrong and shows us how to make it right. He inspires us to reach higher than we ever believed we could, just by doing just a little bit more, becoming a little bit better. That’s why this special Inside ArtScroll interview with Rabbi Orlofsky is a treat for the senses. If you’ve ever heard Rabbi Orlofsky speak, you’ll know how transformative – and entertaining – his lectures and message are. And if you haven’t yet had the privilege of hearing him, prepare for an exhilarating experience that will show you how to live better, live higher, and be the best Jew you can be.