Bubby? Who Me?
When my oldest grandchild, Penina Bracha, was born three years ago on Yom Kippur, the fact that there was now a third generation in the family - two after me, didn't really have any major impact on how I viewed myself.
Al Chait… (For The Sin…)
Every year as we sit in shul during Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, we make a chesbon nefesh - a reckoning of our actions and reactions.
It’s How You Look At It
It's hard to believe Rosh Hashanah is just days away. It seems like we were just putting away our Pesach dishes and hoping that the looming summer months would not be too unbearably hot and humid.
Going Back To The Old Ways
According to the Talmud (Ta'anit 30b-31a), on the 15th of Av unmarried girls would dress in plain white clothing, so that those from wealthy families could not be distinguished from the poorer ones.
Going Back To The Old Ways
According to the Talmud (Ta'anit 30b-31a), on the 15th of Av unmarried girls would dress in plain white clothing, so that those from wealthy families could not be distinguished from the poorer ones.
Letting Go – And Holding On
For many parents late summer is a bittersweet time. Children are going off to college, or a post- high school year in Israel, or getting married.
The Shidduch Parshah May Be Fattening And Bad For Your Health
I'm not a doctor, nor a biological scientist, but I do know that people under stress produce a hormone called cortisol, which helps the body deal with a stressful event by increasing energy and immunity and even lowering sensitivity to pain.
Painful Words: A Painful Reality
Jews globally are commemorating the Three Weeks of Mourning period that began with last Sunday's 17th Day of Tammuz fast and culminates with the Fast of Tisha B'Av.
‘Watch Over The Souls Of Your Children’
My last two columns dealt with the biblical injunction that we "watch over our souls."
Eye-Opening ‘Teshuvah’
Jews the world over just celebrated our receipt of the Torah and our unconditional acceptance of its precepts.
The Shidduch Sky Is Not Falling
My daughter in-law was a guest at a recent brunch/fundraiser for women only, during which the guest speaker spoke about the number one topic that seems to be on everyone's minds - shidduchim.
The Benefits Of High Gas Prices
People have been bitterly complaining about the rising price of gas.
Remembering An Eishet Chayil
Most Pesach observers - after a week of overdosing on matzah and potatoes - in a myriad of manifestations look forward to when Passover has, well, passed over.
The Passover Story (As told by a young mother to her daughter)
"We were slaves down in Egypt,"
The young, cheerful mother said,
As she knelt on the floor
And swept under the bed.
See What Happens When You Don’t Pay Attention?
I'm not quite ready yet to shut the door on Purim. Perhaps it's my way of avoiding dealing with Pesach, and the physical and emotional effort that comes with it.
Why I Like Yom Kippur
You might think it odd talking about Yom Kippur just days before Purim. But actually that is exactly why I am thinking so fondly of our holy fast day.
Why I Like Yom Kippur
You might think it odd talking about Yom Kippur just days before Purim. But actually that is exactly why I am thinking so fondly of our holy fast day.
There Is No ‘Road Not Taken’
The poem "The Road Not Taken" by renowned American poet Robert Frost expresses the gnawing curiosity that a traveler knows he will always have about the road that he didn't take.
Appreciate Life By Saying ‘Thank You’
One of the subjects I was taught as a young child in the excellent day school I attended in Toronto (at the time called Associated Hebrew Day Schools) was Tefillah.
A Lighthouse Of Reason In A Dark Shidduch Sea
Dear Readers: I want to share a letter I received this week giving me hope that there are some level heads out there in the shidduch world, and that not everyone is caught up in the hysteria and/or ga'avah (arrogance) that accompanies a suggestion for a date.
‘Mazel Tov On Your Date’
I hate to say it, but I am coming to the conclusion that that if abocher and a girl actually go on a date - a mazel tov to both sides is warranted.
Happy New Year? How Do You Know?
Just days ago, millions of people all over the world welcomed in the secular new year of 2008.
The Miracle Of Trying
Chanukah has come and gone, and so have the donuts, the latkes and the celebration of the two amazing miracles that took place at that time.
Borders And Boundaries (Conclusion)
Two weeks ago I wrote about a culture of self-indulgence and instant gratification that seems to have permeated Western society.
Borders And Boundaries (Part 1)
Recently, I came across a talk show whose topic of discussion was about managing personal finances.
‘Getting Back On The Swing’
I remember a mishap years ago while in first grade and happily swinging on the playground swing during recess.
‘It’s Your Fault’
I grew up in an era where customers were always right - even if they weren't - because it was good for business to accommodate them, even if they were out of line.
Doing Personal Teshuvah
With three sets of three-day Yom Tov/ Shabbat combinations behind us, and a return to "normalcy" and our daily routines, now would be a good time to examine our lifestyle habits - and improve them.
Death, Life And Hope
It is Sunday, the day after Yom Kippur and everyone you speak to says, "Thank G-d it's over."
Shidduch Sadness (Part II)
In my previous column I wrote about older singles who were undermining their chance at getting married by letting others make decisions for them on as to whether to date a proposed shidduch or not.
