Over the past week, we have seen anti-Israel college takeovers with protestors openly declaring their desire to kill Jews and to render Israel—from the river to the sea—Juden Rein. The brazen tactics and bullying have left many Jewish students and faculty members afraid to venture onto campus. As we approach …
Read the full story »Seven Thoughts for Seven Days
Sunday: Heaven and Earth
Joseph had two dreams. In he first he was binding sheaves in the field, in the second he was gazing at the stars. The first concerned earthly matters, the second, heavenly matters. This is fitting because the objective of our people is to …
Sunday: The Other Camp will Survive
Fearing an attack from his brother Esau, Jacob divided his family into two camps. He reasoned that should Esau attack one camp, the other would surely be spared. How could Jacob be certain that Esau would not destroy the first camp and then turn around …
Sunday: Its all in the Mind
There are two levels of prophecy. The higher level is divine revelation. The lower level is divine communication. Our sages taught that G-d does not reveal himself to prophets in the diaspora unless they first merited at least one revelation in the holy land. This …
Sunday: Abraham and Isaac
“These are the progeny of Isaac son of Abraham, Abraham begot Isaac.” That Abraham is the father of Jacob is mentioned twice in this verse, albeit in slightly different styles. In the first half of the verse Isaac is mentioned first, suggesting that he was the more …
Sunday: the Joy of Giving
Sarah lived one-hundred and twenty-seven years. Our sages taught that she was as beautiful when she was one-hundred as she was when she was seven. At the age of seven we might seem cute or adorable, but not yet beautiful. Beauty tends to settle in with …
Sunday: When did it Happen?
Abraham was visited by three angels, who told him that his son would be born “Lamoed Hazeh,” during the next holiday. According to all opinions this next holiday was Passover, however the date on which this promise was was was disputed by our sages. Some held …
Sunday: Self Discovery
Abraham could not truly discover his true nature till he divested himself from all outside influence. Till G-d instructed him to, “Go to you, from your land, your birthplace and your father’s home.”
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Sunday – Ritual Mitzvot and Social Mitzvot
“The end of all flesh has come before me for the earth has filled with violence.” The “end of all flesh” is a euphemism for the prosecuting angel, who presents our misdeeds before G-d and demands that He punish us. When this angel appears …