The Three Stages Of The Rosh Hashana Tefillah
We blow the shofar as a part of the Rosh Hashana prayers, but it is unique amongst the tefillos. While all the other prayers utilize words, the shofar is a wordless cry. What is the meaning behind this?
Spiraling Through The Cosmic Symphony Of Life (Part I)
There may be nothing more enchanting, mystical, and mysterious than the wonder of music. It has the ability to reach the very root of our soul.
Yearning For Connection: The Secret Of The Mouth
What happens when you don’t eat? You become faint. What happens if you continue without food? You will pass out. And if you still don’t eat, your soul will leave your body and you will die. Eating maintains the connection between your soul and your body; it is what keeps you alive.
Mirrors And Windows: The Secret Of Schach
The spiritual concept of beauty, and its relevance to marriage, is central to the connection we aim to develop through the process of Sukkos.
The “Impossible” Challenge
The root of the word nisayon (challenge) is neis the Hebrew word for miracle. We are therefore left with two seemingly contradictory views. Either a nisayon is within one’s capacity, which means that it is NOT truly a miracle if one overcomes it, or it does require a miracle to overcome, in which case it is not within one’s capacity. How do we reconcile this seeming contradiction?
Jewish Leadership: When Leaders Are Human
Every religion as well has its own perceptions and views on these topics, and just as a person’s views serve as a gateway into understanding their inner beliefs and values, a religion’s views serve a window into its inner beliefs and value system.
Aseret Hadibrot: Oneness And Twoness
One unique feature of the Luchot is that there were two sets given to us. The original was created by Hashem and given to Moshe, whereas the second set was hewn by the hands of Moshe. However, the difference between these two sets is not simply practical; the two sets of Luchot are fundamentally different.
Yosef And The Battle For True Beauty
As I sat there thinking, I finally realized the lesson I was supposed to learn. Beauty is not about the physical; it’s about how we live our lives, how we choose to see the world.
Shabbos: A Taste Of The World To Come
When we consider whether or not someone is an observant Jew, we usually ask whether he or she is shomer Shabbos. Why is this the defining feature of religious observance? What makes Shabbos a root mitzvah, why is its punishment so severe, and why do we see it as the measuring stick for all of Torah observance? What is the secret of Shabbos?
Yosef And The Battle For True Beauty
The conception of beauty was a fundamental point of contention in the battle between the Jewish People and the Greeks. The Greeks did not believe in using the physical to reflect anything higher; they viewed physical beauty as an end unto itself.
Willpower: Generating Momentum For Our Return
The feeling of making a great decision leads you to another great decision, and the cycle continues.
A Reason to Transcend (Part II)
If someone were to ask you to prove that you exist, you would seriously struggle to do so. One’s own existence simply cannot be rationally proven.
When the Broken Path Still Leads Home
There are times in our lives when we feel distant from Hashem and when we question whether or not Hashem truly cares for us, loves us, or believes in us. It is specifically at these times that we refer to Hashem as Makom.
Shabbos: A Taste Of The World To Come
What makes Shabbos a root mitzvah, why is its punishment so severe, and why do we see it as the measuring stick for all of Torah observance? What is the secret of Shabbos?
Yom Kippur: Flying Amongst Angels
Our goal as humans is not to escape the physical, but to use it as a means of connecting to the transcendent.
Why Are There Two Sets Of Luchos?
While the general juxtaposition of the mitzvos on the right and left sides of the Luchos carries fundamental significance, there is a powerful connection between the specific commandments on each side as well.
Sefiras Ha’Omer: Achieving The Impossible
In truth, we are not counting down to Matan Torah, but rather are building toward it, ascending one day at a time.
Sefiras Ha’Omer: Achieving the Impossible
Numbers don't tell the full the story
Yom Kippur: Flying Amongst Angels
As we approach Yom Kippur, we recognize that it is unquestionably one of the most important days of the year. And yet, in many ways, it is a mystery.
The Qualities Of Great Leadership
Everyone is a leader in some capacity. Some will lead their families, while others will lead the world. The scale is irrelevant; the principles remain the same.
Deepening Our Perception Of Challenges
Hashem did not change His mind, the people themselves changed. The only way to change a gezeirah (decree) is through teshuva and tefillah.
Oneg And Nega: The Story Of Eden, Nahar, And Gan (Part I)
The goal is for the essence of Eden to flow untainted through the Nahar into the Gan – for the spiritual to be powerfully and completely expressed through the physical.
The Journey To Your Ultimate Self
To genuinely venture on the path toward your true self requires a leap of faith into the unknown, ready to embrace whatever future Hashem has in store for you.
Inspiring Insights for Your Seder Night
The Seder is comprised of 15 steps, which is the same number of steps leading up to the Beis HaMikdash and the same number of "Shir Hama'alos" psalms – the songs of ascension.
Individuality And Community: Are These Fundamental Contradictions?
Do you prefer to stand out from the crowd or to be part of the crowd?
Fantasy or Reality: The Ultimate Challenge
We have so much potential in our lives, but only by transforming the limitless possibilities into something real can we ever accomplish anything.
Purim: Our Existential Battle Against Amalek
Amalek rejects Hashem’s connection to this world or any connection between the spiritual and the physical. Essentially, Amalek denies Hashem’s control of this world and the ability for man to uplift himself to the level of the spiritual.
Why Strive For Greatness?
Hashem was internally good, but He was not actively expressing this goodness by giving or doing good unto others. Hashem chose to express His capacity for doing good unto others by creating man, upon whom Hashem would bestow the ultimate goodness.
The Seder–4 Points
Insights for the seder
Berachos And Klalos: Bounty And Boundaries (Part II)
Only when we negate our egos and acknowledge that the goodness and beracha in our lives comes not from our own independent efforts but from Hashem, can we then receive more beracha.
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