We will sit down to the Seder this year while our people suffer. Israel faces simultaneous attacks by Hamas, Hezbollah, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran. More than a hundred Jews are still in captivity. Antisemitism is rampant and acceptable again in coffee shops, public squares, public schools, and college campuses.
The saga …
Bringing
a child into the world is the greatest blessing that G-d has bestowed
upon mankind. When we give birth, we form a partnership with G-d in the
act of creation.
In birth we
become a part of creation ex-nihilo, creating something out of nothing.
A fetus that simply did not exist before has suddenly …
Held Accountable
The Hebrew words “ar/Bat Mitzvah mean “one who is held accountable for the
Mitzvos”. The Bar Mitzvah ceremony celebrates the official entry of a
child into the religious ranks of adulthood.
According to Torah, children are not required to observe the
commandments of Torah until they reach the religious age of maturity.
For a …
When Parents Honor Parents
The positive
flow of love and warmth in every household is crucial to the proper
upbringing of children. Children that are confident in their parents’
love will love their parents in return and seek to please them at every
opportunity.
When a household
is well balanced with love and respect the children …
Life In Preperation
The Torah
maintains that life in this world is only a corridor that leads to a
better and higher world. The Mishna offers the following advice;
“Prepare yourself in this corridor so that you will be worthy of living
in the world to come”. (Ethics of our Fathers)
According to
Jewish thought, life in …
This essay was written in 2005, when the US led effort to bring democracy to Iraq was still in its infancy.
Democracy in Iraq
The international media has subjected the US-led coalition that liberated Iraq and established a democratic government, to intense scrutiny and even criticism.
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This essay is not related to the Parsha of the week but is posted here
because the subject has recently become a household topic of discussion
[Part one of three]
The Debate
Same Sex Marriage is a front-page news item debated in North American
media, legislatures and courts. The topic has recently piqued again
because of …
Two Arguments
Same Sex Marriage is often defended on the following grounds.1.Legalizing behavior that is religiously forbidden doesn't imply that such behavior is beyond religious reproach. It simply implies that such behavior is beyond secular reproach. Though such behavior violates religious values we must not bring such concerns to the public …
A Testimony to G-d
The raw elements of the
universe that G-d created are for the most part non-utilitarian. G-d
created man and charged him with the responsibility of reshaping this
nature so that it would better provide for man’s needs.. From the
beginning of time men have struggled to manipulate the forces of
nature.
We …