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Purim: A Nation United

March 16, 2024 – 11:20 pm | Comments Off on Purim: A Nation United41 views

The die was cast. King Achashverosh granted Haman a genocidal license against the Jewish nation. Mordechai was one of the first to learn of the plot and he appealed to Queen Esther for help. Esther explained that it was dangerous even for her to enter the king’s chambers unbidden. Mordechai …

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If You Have Skills, Use Them

March 2, 2024 – 8:00 pm | Comments Off on If You Have Skills, Use Them
goat-hair

Among the Jews who left Egypt, there were many artisans with special skills. When it was time to build the Tabernacle, they all came forward. The goldsmiths and silversmiths, the weavers and spinners, the builders and carpenters, the blacksmiths and chemists all volunteered their services.

The Torah makes specific mention of one group of artisans. A group of women who possessed an unusual skill with a very exclusive market. They knew how to spin a goat’s hair while it was still attached to the goat.[1] This required exceptional spinning and animal management skills. They had to keep the goats calm and in place while they worked laboriously with the hair on their backs. Read the full story »

The Real You Is Perfect

February 24, 2024 – 9:34 pm | Comments Off on The Real You Is Perfect
perfect

Perfection is not part of the human experience; in fact, perfectionism is usually unhealthy, but perfection is part of the Divine experience. And here is the surprising truth. At your very core, in your most essential state of being, you are a sliver of the Divine. This means that the …

The Superbowl Grind

February 17, 2024 – 9:42 pm | Comments Off on The Superbowl Grind
Praying

Every year, the world gears up for the Superbowl, and even people who don’t follow football take an interest. Somehow, the NFL has captured the imagination of the masses; the show, the glitz, the contest, and the party combine to make it an entertaining evening.
The fans see the final product. …

A Path to Victory

February 10, 2024 – 10:02 pm | Comments Off on A Path to Victory
Jewish-Home

A story about the path to victory has recently circulated on social media: A mother asked her son, a soldier in Tzahal returning home on leave from Gaza, “What is the first thing you plan to do when you get home. He replied: “Hang a picture of the Bet Hamikdash—the …

Time for Torah

February 3, 2024 – 9:09 pm | Comments Off on Time for Torah
time for torah

Mishpatim: Time for Torah
The morning after our ancestors arrived at Sinai, Moses presented G-d’s proposal to appoint them His precious treasure, a kingdom of ministers, and a holy nation. Their reply: “All that G-d said, we will do.”[1]
Two days later, Moses told them that G-d would issue the Ten Commandments …

The Lightkeeper

January 27, 2024 – 8:35 pm | Comments Off on The Lightkeeper
lighthouse

Boston Light, the first lighthouse to be built in what would become the United States was also the last lighthouse to have an official keeper. Sally Snowman stepped down from the role as the world slipped into 2024.

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The Secret Alef

January 16, 2024 – 2:03 pm | Comments Off on The Secret Alef
The-Secret-Alef

The secret alef is the mystery of this week’s Torah portion. Alef is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Hebrew letters also serve as numbers. Thus, alef is one; it represents G-d, who exists alone. He is one, and there is no other. By that, we mean not only …

Distance Strengthens the Bond

January 6, 2024 – 7:43 pm | Comments Off on Distance Strengthens the Bond
distance strengthens the relationship

Last week we talked about surviving in exile by finding meaning in it. This week, I want to ask a question. Finding meaning in the exile is lovely, but what good does it do if our connection to G-d is compromised? Scattered worldwide, we lose our cohesion and ability to …

A Father’s Happiness

December 30, 2023 – 9:30 pm | Comments Off on A Father’s Happiness

Vayechi: A Father’s Happiness
If you needed a thousand dollars to pay your bills, would you get down on your knees and beg someone for help? Would you stand on the street with a tin cup and beg for alms?
Most of us would not demean ourselves that way for money. Money …