Moses was chosen for his empathy. He learned empathy from his parents. We mold our children into what we model for them. It is our sacred duty to model empathy.
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Free Choice, Shemot Parshah »
Don’t Waste A Crisis
How do you define crisis? Webster Dictionary defines it as an unstable or crucial time, or state of affairs, in which a decisive change is coming, especially one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome.
We usually define crisis as an impending doom. For example, discovering that your spouse wants a divorce, the impending death of a loved one, the shattering news of a life-threatening illness, the loss of employment amid significant financial debt are all forms of crises. How about having a prison sentence handed down to you from a judge? I would think that qualifies as a crisis, too. Read the full story »
A Diaspora Blessing that Gives us Courage
Every Friday night, we bless our children with the words, “May G-d make you like Ephraim And Manasseh.” Why them of all people in Jewish history?
The Bondi Massacre: Choosing to Live for G-d
Fifteen Jews were murdered in Bondi purely for being Jewish. They died for G-d, the least we can do in their memory is choose to live for G-d.
Stop Dreaming
In the aftermath of the Bondi Attack, we might want to hide our Judaism and blend in. This essay cautions us against living a lie.
The Only Absolute Truth
Do you peddle in relative truths, or are you a stickler for the absolute truth? This essay examines the two types of truth and posits that G-d’s truth is absolute.
We Are Never Alone
Sometimes we feel utterly alone in the world. The Torah reminds us that we are never alone. G-d is always at our side.
Inviting G-d To Dinner
Why did our sages seem to think that having radishes and lettuce at every meal is a good thing?
Chayei Sarah: Preserve the Stem, the Rest Will Grow
The Torah teaches that every mitzvah is vital, yet all of Judaism rests upon a single stem— faith in G-d and in the truth of the Torah. If that stem remains alive, everything else can grow from it.
Acknowledging G-d’s Constant Kindness
G-d is there for us at every turn, but for the most part, we are oblivious. We should look out for these kindnesses and thank Him for them.
Parsha Insights »
Ki Tetze : The Struggle to Improve
The Wayward Son
He was a glutton for meat and drank alcohol to excess. He disobeyed his parents at every turn, mocking their pleas and their attempts at discipline. He refused accept instruction. Instead he sought to instruct his parents.. He demanded that they pay for his excessive habits, and when …
Yearly Cycle »
The Buck Stops Here
The buck stops here, was a sign on the desk of President Harry S Truman. It is a spin off the aphorism, “pass the buck”—punting responsibility to someone up the line. When you are president, Truman would often say, the buck stops here. You are responsible. If you don’t like …
Concepts »
Pointers on Hospitality
This week, we read about Abraham’s hospitality, a story that offers many beautiful lessons.
Let me begin by pointing out how profound this Mitzvah is. Abraham was visited by G-d Himself when the angels showed up. Abraham did not know they were angels; to him, they looked like ordinary humans. Yet, …
Rabbi’s Desk »
What Can We Do?
These past two days have been the most difficult for our people in the last fifty years. It was Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. Nearly a thousand members of our family were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and …
