Don’t Sweat Over Small Stuff (Part One)
There's a popular adage that tells us not to sweat the small stuff. I always thought that it meant we should not make an issue out of insignificant incidents that impinge on our kavod. When we are victims, we should categorize all this as "small stuff" and the best way to deal with it is to forgive, forget and move on.
The Secret To Defeating Our Enemies
Events have been unfolding so rapidly. First it was Hurricane Sandy, which attacked with merciless fury and left multitudes homeless, their cars and belongings swept away. Power failed, not for a day, or for a week, but in some cases for several weeks.
The True Meaning Of Compassion (Part One)
How do we teach rachamim? To impart new values to our sons and daughters, we ourselves must change
Plagued By Guilt (Conclusion)
In last week's column, I published a letter written by a tormented widow who agonized over what more she could or should have done for her terminally ill cancer-stricken husband. Her agonies were many: In retrospect she felt that, at the first sign of illness, she should have insisted that he consult with a specialist rather than with their local internist. She also felt guilty about the hospital she chose for his post-surgical treatment. In short, she questioned everything she did regarding his care.
Magic In Jerusalem
Whatever the town or city or world capital our people temporarily call home, a Jew rediscovers himself in Jerusalem.
Zaidie Is Not Here (Part Four)
In contemporary society, most souls are undernourished to the point of “neshamah anorexia.”
The Baggage Weighing Down Our Singles
While Orthodox singles are more insulated from cultural influences, it has had an impact. The questions remain: Why can’t singles get married? What went wrong? Is it 'external influences'?
The Perfect Formula
Over the past several weeks I have featured tragic stories of family disintegration. Some of you might protest that “tragic” is a rather extreme word and that “sad” or “painful” would be more appropriate, but once again I emphasize tragic.
The Third Meal
Everyone is concerned about the economy. There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel, and to one extent or another, we are all impacted. This concern is not imaginary.
Our Lives Have Been Turned Upside Down
Dear Rebbetzin Jungreis:
I can't begin to tell you how important your column has been in this most trying period. To one extent or another, everyone has been tested by the financial meltdown.... some of us more than others, and I'm afraid that my family falls into that category. Allow me to give you some background:
A Time To Act – Every Jew A Soldier
In previous columns I indicated that Hashem, in His infinite mercy, endowed us with a three-fold formula through which we can protect ourselves in this most trying period of Chevlei Moshiach. As promised I will now outline what exactly that formula entails.
Time To Reach Out To Our Father (Conclusion)
Sadly, Jews refuse to embrace Torah & our unique role, and try to be like all the other nations
Shidduch Challenges
Finding one’s shidduch has reached the crisis level. The one absolute “must” quality is finding a soul mate with a good heart. If that’s lacking, the entire package will fall apart.
Finding The Right One
Eternal wisdom from Rebbetzin Jungreis, a”h. The topic is the intense research that goes into shidduchim.
A Timeless Message
Yom Kippur approaches and memories crowd my mind. I see my saintly father, HaRav HaGaon Avraham HaLevi Jungreis, zt"l. I see his holy countenance; I see his beautiful face, upon which the Shechinah rested. I hear his voice - a voice that penetrated the heart. Those who heard it never forgot it.
Remember! (Conclusion)
Freedom alone is meaningless, even destructive. What Moshe said was, “Let my people go to serve G-d”
Have We Turned Into Wood?
Parshas Ki Tavo has come and gone. The tochacha - the curses - were read in our synagogues, but who was listening? Who heard them? If you were among those who did listen, the words had to have a chilling, eerie effect. Alas, they were not far-fetched predictions, but had an all-too familiar ring. We are the generation that can vividly recall the Holocaust. We are the generation that lives with the constant nightmare of yet more carnage. It is with trepidation that we tune into the news from Israel. Who and what will be next?
The Power Of Faith – The Readers Respond
In last week's column, I published a letter from a woman who successfully overcame enormous challenges in her life through the power of faith. At the same time, I invited our readers to share with us their own personal difficulties so that others might benefit and be strengthened.
‘My Joy In Judaism Has Disappeared’
Raised in a secular family, she followed the usual pattern of the last couple of generations, placing marriage on the back burner in favor of relationships.
Sweating Over The Small Stuff (Conclusion)
In preparation for the Yamim Noraim, last week I focused on Mitzvos bein Adam L'Chavero - interpersonal relationships that are often overlooked, such as the escalation of chutzpah, that has become emblematic of our society.
The Tragic Vacuum (Part Two)
For the past several weeks we have been discussing the anti-Semitism that plagues our generation and the horrific consequences that, G-d forbid, this might portend for our people.
Time To Reach Out To Our Father
Despite a resurgence of Judaism as evidenced by the ba’al teshuvah movement the hearts of the vast majority of our people have yet to be touched. Jews are disappearing in the melting pot of assimilation and intermarriage. Hashem help--
I Will Keep Dancing…
I’m learning to walk again. Every step is painful. I go with a walker. There is a security belt wrapped around my waist which the physical therapist watches carefully so that in case I stumble she will be able to catch me. As I make my way, the nurses and other health care personnel smile and congratulate me: “You’re doing wonderful! You’re doing great!”
Same Old, Same Old – Yet Different
Many moons ago, when I was a young Rebbetzin, I had a vision - to awaken American Jews and bring them back to Am Yisrael. In those days, Israel Bonds would hold an annual celebration for contributors at Madison Square Garden. If you bought a bond for "x" number of dollars, you were entitled to a free ticket and could participate in what was called a "Spectacular" at which Hollywood stars entertained.
‘I Wasted My Life’ (Conclusion)
In last week's column, I published a letter from a divorced gentleman of 52 who took exception to an e-mail written by a single professional woman who wrote that she regretted wasting precious years building a career rather than focusing on a home and family. She complained that at this point in her life, the shidduch recommendations made to her are very often men who are incapable of earning a living. She stated that she couldn't possibly consider such individuals for a husband and referred to them as "losers." It is this term, "loser," that prompted the gentleman's letter and his vehement objection.
Second Chances
Hearing that someone has been divorced nowadays doesn't have the same connotations it used to.
When Observance Creates Conflict (II)
When your parents come to visit, do you rush to the door and welcome them with a loving heart?
The Cat from Jerusalem
"In New York I partied almost every night and the next day I didn’t feel good about myself. But here, after spending the night at the Wall, I feel an exhilaration."
An Opportunity To Recreate Ourselves
Rebbetzin Jungreis, a”h, recounts a memorable Rosh Hashanah and a remarkable story of a particular shofar
‘How Do I Cope?’ (Conclusion)
In my last column I published a letter from a woman whose husband, like many others, was experiencing financial reversals. While in the past they had been prosperous, overnight everything changed. She was concerned for her husband's health since he has a history of high blood pressure and heart problems. He had become tense, irritable and depressed. She conceded that she herself was in the same emotional state - and her mood was impacting on her children.