Articles in Bereishit
Vayeshev: Trickle Up Effect
Economic Realities
As the economy slows and sales decline in the Automobile Sector, Automakers lobby their governments for bailout packages. Here in Canada, Chrysler has petitioned the Government for an emergency loan of 1.6 billion dollars and added that if the loan is not approved Chrysler would be forced to shut …
Vayishlach: Our Angels
Sending Angels
Jacob sent a message to his brother Esau. (1) When messages are sent we usually focus on the message, not the messenger, but this essay is actually about the messenger.
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Vayetze: Our Purpose
Look A Kippah
When I was growing up in Boston, Massachusetts, few Jews wore their Kippot (head coverings) outdoors. Seeing a man wearing a Kippa on the street always generated excitement: my siblings and I would point in awe and exclaim, “Look, there is a Jew.” We felt an immediate kinship …
Toldot: Why Evil?
A Child is Robbed
Helpless and betrayed, my brother and I stood alone in the pre dawn hours. We were children; he was a teenager and I was perhaps ten. We had set out on an exciting journey: we would take the train to the plane and the plane to our …
Chayei Sarah: Faith and Suffering
Does Faith Leave Room for Grief?
I was once approached by a young lady whose friend’s mother had recently died. She wanted to commiserate and cry, but was concerned that tears of grief would somehow compromise her perfect faith in G-d’s perfect benevolence. Does acknowledging the horror of a tragedy suggest …
Lech Lecha: The True You
Multiple Roles
Countless hours and dollars are spent in therapy by people seeking themselves. I know someone who is a parent of three, a devoted husband, successful doctor, captain of his football team, coach of his son’s little league team, friend of his social circle and if that is not enough, …
Vayera: A Nation of Twinkling Stars
Flickering Flames
The first snow of the winter is always a delight, but not when it arrives in October.
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Noach: Seeds of Light
Oy – A Tzoro
Have you ever been “oif tzoros?” It’s a prominent Yiddish aphorism that means “in trouble.” If your mother gave you shopping money and you lost it in a bad bet then you are “oif tzoros.” If your wife caught you drinking with friends while you claimed to …
