When G-d disciplines us, the pain is real—but it is born of love. When He gives freely, we feel His kindness. When He withholds or corrects, His love is less visible—but in truth, it runs even deeper.
Read the full story »Pinchas: Realizing the Goal
Creationist Museums
The debate about Creationist Museums sparked my interest. Creationist Museums apply scientific methods to prove the biblical account, but it is the integrity of these methods that many in the scientific community have called into question.
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Balak: The Chosen People
A Pivotal Moment
They stood arrayed against each other; the best either nation had to offer. On one side stood Moses, highly regarded as the greatest prophet of all time. On the other side was Bilaam, the far famed soothsayer, whose curses were irresistible. (1)
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Chukat: The Nature of a Leader
Extraordinary
Ordinary events are to ordinary people, well, just plain ordinary. The supernatural, now that is extraordinary. Miracle workers are different. To them, the natural is astounding and the supernatural is routine. How do I know? A miracle worker told me so.
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Korach: Turn the Other Cheek
Taking Offense
Have you ever noticed that it takes years to gain maturity and only moments to discard it? I have witnessed grown men and women regress to childlike behavior, when thrust into an argument. Barbs are exchanged, passions rise; before you know it otherwise balanced adults carry on like children. …
Sh’lach L’chah: Cooperate, Dont Compete
Win / Lose
We live in a competitive society where the Win / Lose mentality is deeply ingrained. Everything you win is lost by someone else. Every dollar you make is lost by someone else. If your stock shares go up someone else’s must have gone down. You cannot get ahead …
B’ha’alotcha: Timeless Moments
Never Again
“Time is money,” or so goes the common refrain intended to underscore the importance of every moment. You wouldn’t discard a dollar so why waste a moment? The point is well taken, but the comparison is not equitable. Time is not money, it is much more than money. A …
Naso: The Path To Permanent Recovery
Success
It is often said that the difference between success and failure is the willingness to go the extra mile. The decision to go the extra mile can only be made when we have already traveled the entire conventional route. We reach the end of our trail, but the successful seek out …
B’midbar Forward Vision
Hair-Raising Drive
A friend of mine and his father were driving in the dead of night on a treacherous mountain road with razor-sharp curves and sheer cliff drops. His father seemed oblivious to the danger and drove along nonchalantly. When he inquired as to his father’s nonchalance, his father replied, “my …
Parsha Insights »
Vayishlach: Have you ever Been Kissed?
Let me say this right up front: Have you ever been kissed, is not a question you expect to hear from a rabbi in a devar Torah. But I do mean the question sincerely, were you ever kissed? I’m not asking if you were ever kissed by your parents, grandparents, …
Yearly Cycle »
Purim: When Hebrews Became Jews
The Jews
Today we are known as Jews, but in the Torah we were known as Hebrews and Israelites. Who are we really, Hebrews, Israelites or Jews? The more I think about it, the more I feel an identity crisis coming on.
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Concepts »
Shemot: Just Ask
We often tell people who are in need that all they need to do is ask. It is surprising to realize how often people want something and don’t think to ask. They assume others will realize their need and offer to help. If no one offers, they assume no one …
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 …
