Sivan Rahav-Meir

It appears that our mission this Shabbat is to bring the holiness of the synagogue - now standing empty - into the living room and the kitchen.

coronavirus has given all of us homework

“All of us are presently learning a course in ‘How to live with uncertainty.’ From my experience, to succeed in this course you need to open your heart to embrace the unexpected.

Defined by our choices

Humanity today has received an abundance of life and health as an incredible gift. But does it properly take advantage of this blessing?

“We cannot keep the thunder and lightning of Sinai with us, but we can take the spirit of Sinai and incorporate it into mitzvoth – whether we are at the market, at home, in the bank or the car.

Only Yisro went deeper into what this all meant to him. He didn’t just hear – he changed.

Shabbat Shalom

“The Torah, though, is not just telling us about Pharaoh; it’s also telling us about ourselves. In every one of us, a little Pharaoh is hiding who knows exactly what needs to be done but doesn’t do it.

"Moshe's life is inspiring and reassuring to children with learning disabilities and to their parents

We do not expect those elected to be Moshe Rabbeinu. Still, the parshi’ot that will accompany the election campaign in the weeks ahead should remind us of how, ideally, those in leadership roles should conduct themselves.

It’s difficult to describe an event of this magnitude in words. But I’ll share a few highlights...

Is it better to complain, seek revenge, and hold a grudge? Or is it better to find a blessing within the curse?

In overcoming our impatience on the road, we perform a truly heroic act.

Here are three crucial truths from Tanya, the fundamental text that Chabad chassidim study in its entirety every year, concluding it on the 19th of Kislev:

Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz emphasized again and again when he taught this parshah that Yaakov moving the massive stone from the well was not a miracle. Yet, it was not a matter of physical strength either. It was a matter of heart and faith.

Rachel only related to one purpose, that of giving birth, and ignored the second purpose – to learn, to become worldly wise and pious and, in the process, to bring more goodness into the world.

Rabbeinu Yonah, who passed away 756 years ago this week, wrote prolifically from the city of Girona, in medieval Spain, about repentance and self-improvement.

Shabbat Shalom

More than his guests enjoy the meal, Avraham enjoys fulfilling the mission for which he was created – to help others.

Do we have the courage to swim against the stream? To be in the minority? To be different?

What was Adam missing? After all, he had everything – a female companion, food, a Garden of Eden surrounding him. What was lacking?

Of Rav Nissim Karlitz,(ZT"L) the Chazon Ish said “One day, the entire world will hear from him.” He was right.

Chag Sameach

Our soul wants, to be better, different, true. Now the soul prevails over the body, and in the last moments of this journey, we must take something with us, some 'soul food' for the road ahead.

What we need to think about now – in Tishrei 5780 – is Tishrei 5781...Shana tova!

Lean back but be active

Choosing what really matters

Remembering priorities...

ven with all the news stories about “the best teacher I had” or “the teacher who changed my life,” there is no doubt that the teachers who influence us the most are our parents.