A Rabbi, A Disability, An Inspiration
When G-d takes something from the body, he gives something else in its place. True, I am physically disabled, but I learn quickly and my memory is very good.
Parshat Va’eira – The Historic Opportunity
It is through the story of Israel, as it unfolds throughout time, that humanity sees history as possessing Divine meaning and purpose.
Good Question, BETTER Answer
Faith, not logic, freed the Jewish people
The Great Crocodile Of The Nile
Because Pharaoh has set himself up as a god, because he has come to believe that he is the absolute ruler of Mitzrayim, and because the people have accepted this upon themselves, what befalls Pharaoh will affect all of Egypt.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vaera: Super-Prayer Powers
I have not placed reading before praying because I regard it more important, but because, in order to pray aright, we must understand what we are praying for. -Angelina Grimke
A Potpourri About Prayer
Mincha relates to the years of middle-age, and Maariv focuses on one’s golden years. Thus, while davening, it would be proper to focus on one’s children and grandchildren during Shacharis, and upon elderly parents and grandparents during Maariv.
True Greatness
The legitimacy and credence of the person speaking is based on his personal identity and essence.
Pharaoh, Servant of G-d?
Consider: Pharaoh is stubborn, cruel, and difficult in every meeting. He claims not to know G-d, he increases the cruelty of his slavery when he is asked for mercy, he ignores the overwhelming and awe-inducing nature of each miraculous event, and he ignores the pleading of his more moderate advisers.
Frog’s Bread
Our Sages say that the reason we whisper the above blessing in Hebrew is that we do not want to openly flaunt a blessing we “stole” from the angels.
What Are These Jewish Artifacts Telling Us?
They are telling us something about special sights and sounds, flavors and fragrances, about tradition and family, about identity and longing, about an attempt at destruction and the triumph of the living.
Parshat Shemot – Courage and Love
When slavery runs deep into the psychology of a person, it becomes difficult to express the crucial courage and self-sacrifice necessary to break the chains of mental bondage.
Choices
All events in history are driven by a chain of events dictated from Above.
From The North Comes The Trouble
There is a famous lesson taught regarding B’nei Yisrael in Mitzrayim that they had, over the course of their exile, descended to the 49th and penultimate level of corruption. Had they not been redeemed at that time they would have become irredeemable.
Torah Shorts: Parshat Shmot: Excellent Self-Doubt
Great doubts deep wisdom. Small doubts little wisdom. -Chinese Proverb
What Happens When We Forget About God?
Apparently, God is only actively engaged when man is conscious of Him
You Need To Take The First Step
Moshe became great because he went out of his palatial comfort zone and identified with this persecuted brothers.
A Torah Reaction To Tragic Events
There are some people who don’t easily cry. So, if they are motivated by a moving play or a poignant novel to cry, they should utilize those cries and extend them for the Temple.
In The Presence Of G-d
What is the major theme of this book? Why does it not conclude with the major event that changed all of history, the revelation at Sinai?
Did The Ancient Israelites Build The Pyramids? – Parshat Shemot
This fact seems to indicate that we did not build the pyramids, as it is unlikely the Egyptians would have fed enormous amounts of meat to their slaves.
Parshat Vayechi – Tribes United for a Mission
Only as a “kingdom of priests and holy nation” that reveals HaShem’s Oneness over all spheres of life can Israel fully express His Ideal and lead mankind to experience a world of total blessing.
How Checking The Kashrut Of Chewing Gum Helped Him Find A Partner For Life
How do we want to live our lives? Now that Hanukkah is over, the routine of work, study, and winter begins.
A Life Well Lived
It is less well known that the Zohar there goes on to explain that these 70 years obtained from Adam gave life to David, but didn’t make him exceptional so that he would be able to complete the tasks given to him as the Mashiach,
No Hard Feelings
Our sages point out that at times a person may claim that he has forgiven the other party, but in truth, deep down, he still nurses a grudge. The Ohr HaChaim asserts that Yosef bore no ill will towards his brothers and wholeheartedly forgave them.
TORAH SHORTS: Parshat Vayechi: The Yoke of Monarchy
There is something behind the throne greater than the King himself. -William Pitt The Elder Chatham
Strange Encounters Of The Gauche Kind
Yaakov Avinu answers him honestly. In truth, there is no positive secret to his old age. He is not as old as he looks, and his life has not been a pleasant one.
Life After Death
It is further interesting to note that the one parsha of the Torah which is has the word ‘death’ refers to the tragic passing of two of the righteous sons of Aharon; Nadav and Avihu. One might wonder why, over here, the chapter is called ‘Achrei Mos – After Their Passing.’
Bread And Torah – Or Torah And Bread?
Instinctively, one would think the Torah is more important because it is the reason for the existence of the entire world.
Parshat Vayigash: The Historic Opportunity
Nearly every foreign land that Jews have settled in throughout history was initially a safe refuge or land of opportunity. And in almost every instance, our false sense of security was shattered.
Extra, Extra! Think All About It
As we leave Chanukah, we should reflect upon how much we have extra.
Torah Shorts: Parshat Vayigash: Utter Confusion
When a man's knowledge is not in order, the more of it he has, the greater will be his confusion. -Herbert Spencer