Torah Treats

Last, he should never think that his words will be in vain, because one day, someone, even in a distant land, will pick it up and be inspired. It is a loss for Klal Yisrael when Torah wisdom, hard-earned clarity, or stirring inspiration remains sealed in the heart or buried in notebooks. If something can be shared, if another Yid may benefit from one’s chiddush, it is incumbent upon him to see to it that he enriches Jewish life.

The goal of Torah Treats has always been to bring the beauty and depth of Torah to the largest possible audience, and to acquaint the reader with a broad spectrum of traditional Torah commentary — classical, recent and “obscure” — as well as with aspects of Jewish history and thought. I hope these brief ‘snippets’ will engender further study and discussion of Torah topics -“לְהַגְדִּיל תּוֹרָה וּלְהַאְדִּירָהּ”

Baruch Hashem, this objective has borne fruit.

I offer heartfelt gratitude to the רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם for the abundance of siyata d’Shmaya He has bestowed upon me and enabling me to complete this monumental project.

I have now completed my lockdown project of Torah Treats – Oisfay Yitzchok. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed compiling it.

I have attempted to reproduce these ‘geshmacke vertlech’ to the best of my ability. Any perceived inconsistency is the result of my efforts to transcribe the shiurim and should not be attributed to the speakers. I apologise for any typos poor grammar or repeated material.

Much Hakaros Hatov goes to Rabbi Avigdor Frankenhuis for getting me started on this journey and encouraging me all along.

I would like to thank my son-in-law Shimshon Dresdner for sponsoring this whole project from beginning to end, and for all his encouragement.

Many thanks go to Rabbi Yehoshua Sofer (a huge powerhouse of Torah & Chesed) for introducing me to his Leil Shishi programme, and in particular to Rabbi Yechiel Emmanuel, who has changed my life forever, for the better.

I would also like to thank Rabbi Mordechai Litwin and Rosh Hayeshiva Rabbi Yosef Brandeiss who for years encouraged me to write down my divrei Torah (with sources), and last but by no means least, all those people who I have accosted on the street to tell them a vort.

Finally – and most importantly I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my dear wife, Sorele שתחי'ה for allowing me the time (a lot of it) and encouraging me at every stage in this monumental project. The inclusion of stories was her idea. She has been a source of strength, wisdom, and unwavering support throughout our marriage. The nachas we enjoy today is a direct result of her tireless devotion and selfless efforts. She should be bentched with all the goodness that The Ribono Shel Olam has at His disposal.

May Hashem grant us continued good health and abundant nachas

May we receive much Chizuk in these turbulent times, and may we see many Brachos and Yeshuos come quickly to Klal Yisroel! May Hashem bring the final Geulah now and end this long, difficult Galus, and may we be able to serve Him again with Kedushah and Taharah in the third Bais HaMikdash!!! Bimheiro v’yomeinu. – Yitzchok.