Changing Lanes
I am driving along in my small silver sports car. The pace of the cars around me has suddenly become frenzied; the flow of traffic has thickened considerably; I have hit morning rush hour on Toronto's busy thoroughfares. I need to merge into traffic on a very busy main road. But I am stopped, stuck, as the cars whiz past me.
Why Did G-d Create Bullies?
He looks at me with such a wistful expression in his clear blue eyes. His young shoulders are sagging and he appears to be carrying the world's burdens.
Soulmates Or Stalemates? Men Are From Chochmah; Women Are From Binah (Part...
After a long and taxing day at work, followed by the usual battle with rush hour traffic, Joe finally arrived home.
Woman And The Forbidden Fruit
The sin of the Etz HaDa'at, the Tree of Knowledge is one of the most perplexing episodes in the Torah.
Chesed In The Midwest
A few weeks ago, my family and I arrived in Cleveland on a Sunday afternoon.
When It’s Time to Stop Being Nice!
Is there ever a time to say, "Enough! No more Mr. Nice guy for me!"
Words Whispered on a Dark Russian Night
From the moment that our eyes met and locked on Friday, at the first lecture that I gave at the retreat organized by the EJSN (European Jewish Study Network) in Davos, Switzerland, I sensed that we would be speaking more throughout the weekend.
Do You Know Where Your Teenager Is? An Ode to All Teens
Dedicated to my three teenagers
How The Creation Story Teaches Us About The Essence Of Man And Woman
Against the backdrop of rolling valleys and mountains, and a sun bathing creation with its warmth, creation awaits it finale.
An Illuminating Darkness
"Wouldn't it be nice if the days were long all year round?" commented my son at six o'clock in the evening as we sat down to dinner to the backdrop of the completely black outdoors.
Do You Live In A Fish Bowl?
Several months ago, at a children's rally, my 10-year-old son was the lucky winner of a raffle. His prize? A plump goldfish. It came in a plastic bag filled with water.
Celestial Sightings
With an active household and a busy lifestyle, my day, as for most people, is full of many mundane chores that need to be taken care of as part of the routine schedule.
A Glimmer Of Contrasts
I've just read an autobiographical summary of R' Yisroel Meir Lau, former chief rabbi of Israel.
Silent Messages
It is almost exactly one year since my father-in-law, Rabbi Yankel Weisberg, passed away.
G-d’s Treasure Chest
I'm not sure what spurred it, but this morning, during my davening (prayers), my mind wandered.
Life’s Detours
A few years ago, we were headed back home from a family vacation in the Laurentian Mountains.
Get Me Out of Here!
The black fly was steadily crawling up and down my kitchen window screen. It was desperately − but methodically − seeking an escape, to get beyond the imprisoning panel of the screen, into the wide, open world.
The Road Trip
We're on one of those really long family road trips. The kind that parenting experts advise will imprint fond memories on your children's psyche. (How's that for guilt?) And the kind on which you never leave home without a bottle of Tylenol and your favorite cup of strongly caffeinated, black coffee.
The Hardest Three Words to Say
You and your spouse are driving along the highway. You begin to strongly suspect that you have missed your exit.
The Second Time Around
Have you ever asked yourself-or anyone else: If you could live your life all over again, what different choices would you make?
Rachel And Leah – Two Destinies, Two Worlds
Rachel and Leah - two sisters, two wives of Yaakov, and two of the Matriarchs of our People;
Gone Amiss – Thoughts For Pesach Cleaning
The deeper message behind our vigilant search and removal of chometz for Pesach is the need to remove any vestige of spiritual chometz from our beings and personalities.
When It’s Time to Stop Being Nice!
Is there ever a time to say, "Enough! No more Mr. Nice guy for me!"
Wonder Detergent
Last week, I bought a new brand of detergent.
It promises to remove all stains, even those stubborn, impossible to remove ones--or your money back. Guaranteed.
Everyone Has a Story
When I was invited a few months ago to lecture at a European retreat in Davos, Switzerland, that was hosted in the same luxury venue where the world economic leaders (including former president Bill Clinton) had met for their own economic summit a few years ago, I knew there was no way I'd refuse. The resort weekend was organized by Rabbi Sholom Liberow, director of the European Jewish Study Network (EJSN) and his wonderful wife, Leah.
Wonder Detergent
Last week, I bought a new brand of detergent.
It promises to remove all stains, even those stubborn, impossible to remove ones--or your money back. Guaranteed.
A Wedding, A Funeral And My Child’s Song
The incongruity of the two events was too glaring to overlook.
Senseless Love
One month ago, humanity woke up to a very dark world.
As Sweet As Candy
At this time of year, honey, and the sweetness it represents, plays a major role in our celebrations.
Garbage
For the past two years, any time we've met our neighbors on our front lawn, near the street's curb, the discussion has invariably turned to the very pressing issue of... garbage.