G-d Wants You To Love Others
Fasting is of no use if at the same time you do not act justly and compassionately to your fellow human beings.
The Gift Of Giving
Why did God command Israel to make a sanctuary for Him? Shouldn't it be unnecessary?
Mi Bamageifa: What We Are Supposed To Do Now?
Are we really yearning for the geula? Do we daven for it like we daven for other things we feel we need?
The Sabbath: First Or Last Day?
For G-d, the Sabbath was the last day of the week; for human beings, it was the first.
The Ever-Amazing Reb Elimelech (Part XIV)
As has been noted in a previous column, Reb Elimelech – like the Baal Shem Tov before him – asserted that pessimism and depression cause sin and spiritual apathy. Repentance (yes, even repentance!) that causes depression and sadness distances the Holy Presence.
Bechukoti: Why Would God Curse His People?
In this week's parsha a stark choice is presented: follow God and live, or abandon Him and die.
Short Circuit
My husband of 40 years is always ready to help people. He is also very kind to his family and is always eager to embark on a family outing. However, he has one stipulation. He would rather not drive long distances at night, as he has had challenging experiences driving in the dark in fog, rain and other inclement weather.
Refusing Comfort, Keeping Hope
Jewish history may seem to signify irretrievable loss, a fate that must be accepted. Jews never believed the evidence because they had something else to set against it – a faith, a trust, an unbreakable hope that proved stronger than historical inevitability
The Necessity Of Asking Questions
Judaism is not a religion of blind obedience. Astonishingly of 613 commandments, there is no Hebrew word that means “to obey.” Judaism is the rarest of phenomena: a faith based on asking questions,
Walking On A Cloud
With so much to do before our recent trip, I was walking on a cloud.
It must have been evident to one and all, since my feet barely touched the ground.
Who would have believed that I would arrive at this special time – so grateful am I to HaKadosh Baruch Hu?
The Silver Chalice
I was about six years old at the time and recall that very special occasion so well.
The Torah As Environmentalist
Areligious vision is so important, reminding us that we are not owners of our resources. They belong not to us but to the Eternal and eternity. Hence we may not needlessly destroy-even in war
Supreme Court Sides With God
Our moral compass is based on what God informed us is right and wrong.
From Gush Etzion To Gush Katif – Gush Katif Revisited
My husband and I had the distinct pleasure and privilege to join a group of English speaking Israelis on a visit to Gush Katif. The trip was organized for the World Mizrachi and Tehilla movements. Both organizations are involved in aliya and living in Israel. Our goal was to become reacquainted with Gush Katif, while for some, it was their first time there.
Jacob’s Destiny, Israel’s Name
A Jew is an iconoclast, born to challenge the idols of the age,whatever the idols, whatever the age.
The Supernatural Miracle
Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom!
The Termination Of Shtetl Life
Over a year ago, I suggested that our knowledge of the Holocaust was limited because of our familiarity with only a few, well-known stories from that period.
Abortion: The Debate Continues
One passage in this week’s sedrah shows how differences in interpretation can lead to, or flow from, profound differences in culture. Ironically, the subject concerned – abortion – remains deeply contentious to this day.
A Nor’easter And The One Above It
Soon after Hurricane Sandy’s devastation was just starting to sink in, news of a second approaching powerful storm called a “Nor’easter” was heard around the tri-state area. Another probable loss of power, hot water and other conveniences left us anxious and worried. In Lakewood, New Jersey there is a small mikveh building near the lake, and the woman working there shared this story about the storm’s impact.
The Power Of Torah
While there is a yeshiva in existence, the world will be full with knowledge of Torah. The moment the yeshiva ceases to exist, the Torah will be forgotten from the entire world.
From Structure To Continuity To Spontaneity
Why was spontaneity wrong for Nadav and Avihu, yet right for Moshe Rabbeinu? The answer is that Nadav and Avihu were kohanim, priests. Moses was a navi, a prophet. These are two different forms of religious leadership. They involve different tasks and different sensibilities, indeed different approaches to time itself.
Vision and Details
Two laws have to do with the Israelites’ experience of being an oppressed minority:
The White Lie
Is it permitted to tell a white lie? Not only is it permitted to tell a white lie to save a life; it is also permitted to do so for the sake of peace. And we learn this in this week's
A Walk In The Park
A few short months ago I lost my one and only uncle. He was very special and a great void was felt. He left a wonderful wife, children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren – and, Baruch Hashem, even some great-great-grandchildren.
Reb Elimelech M’Lizhensk (Part II)
The parents of Reb Elimelech M’Lizhensk, Eliezer Lipman and his pious wife, Mirish, emanated from families that could trace their lineage all the way back to Rashi, Rav Yochanan Hasandlar of Talmudic fame and even King David. They lived in the townlet of Lapachi, not far from Tiktin.
The Universality Of Sukkot
Sukkot is the most universalistic of all festivals. At the same time, however, it is the most particularist of festivals. When we sit in the sukkah, we recall Jewish history
The Fewest Of All Peoples
Israel shows the world that a people does not have to be large in order to be great.
Love Transcends All Boundaries
As he was leading the kehillah, he heard a voice in his ear instructing him “to take care of my daughter.”
Tazria: The Bizarre Purification of the Metzora
This week's parsha deals with the strange set of laws dealing with tzara'at.
A Word Is Worth 100,000 Shekels
The rav was not a wealthy man, but earned enough to live comfortably. He earned his money by serving as the rav of a religious community in Yerushalayim. He also received some royalties from sefarim he had written over the years. He was well known, and many people approached him for a berachah, advice and help. They were not turned away.
Headlines
Latest News Stories
Sponsored Post
Recommended Today
Something Random from the Week
