Headlines »

March 16, 2024 – 11:20 pm | Comments Off on Purim: A Nation United41 views

The die was cast. King Achashverosh granted Haman a genocidal license against the Jewish nation. Mordechai was one of the first to learn of the plot and he appealed to Queen Esther for help. Esther explained that it was dangerous even for her to enter the king’s chambers unbidden. Mordechai …

Read the full story »
Parsha Insights

Where Biblical law and Torah tale is brought vividly to life

Concepts

The Jewish perspective on topical and controversial subjects

Life Cycle

Probing for meaning in our journey and its milestones.

Yearly Cycle

Discover depth and mystique in the annual Jewish festivals

Rabbi’s Desk

Seeking life’s lessons in news items and current events

Home » Archive by Tags

Articles tagged with: suffering

Devarim: Response to Suffering

July 10, 2021 – 10:35 pm | Comments Off on Devarim: Response to Suffering1,516 views
faith and suffering - innerstream

Suffering is sadly familiar to Jews. We have a long and painful history of suffering. Our sages taught that the Torah was given on Mount Sinai because Sinai is etymologically similar to sinah, which means hatred. From the day that we were chosen to become a light unto the nations, …

Matot Masei: The Three Weeks

July 3, 2021 – 11:42 pm | Comments Off on Matot Masei: The Three Weeks965 views
three-weeks

We are in a time of year called the three weeks. During this time, Jerusalem was sacked twice, once by the Babylonians circa 420 BCE and again by the Romans in 69 CE.  Each time, our enemies struck directly at the Jewish heart by destroying the Temple. The Babylonians destroyed …

Passover: Bland Matzah

April 13, 2019 – 10:58 pm | Comments Off on Passover: Bland Matzah2,755 views
Matzah

Have you ever noticed that we eat bland Matzah at the Seder table?
There are no spices in Matzah; we don’t add anything to give it zest because we want it to resemble the poor man’s bread. We don’t even add salt. In fact, we are not permitted to add salt …

Masei: The Wandering Jew

July 16, 2017 – 1:24 am | Comments Off on Masei: The Wandering Jew2,872 views
wandering-innersteram.ca

Wandering
Why is the Jew always wandering? We left Egypt and spent the next forty years wandering in a dessert. Throughout our exile, our people have wandered. Even today, Jews who live in stable countries, don’t remain in the same place for long. Even Jews in Israel, wander away in search …

Korach: Remembering Elie Wiesel

July 3, 2016 – 1:34 am | Comments Off on Korach: Remembering Elie Wiesel4,737 views
elie-wiesel-innerstream.ca

Never Shall I Forget
Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed. . . Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith for ever. . . Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived …

Shemot: Faith in Auschwitz

December 15, 2013 – 3:57 am | Comments Off on Shemot: Faith in Auschwitz2,954 views
faith - innerstream

Where was G-d?
Where was G-d during the Holocaust is one of a questions fielded by theologians and religious thinkers. Is it possible to believe in G-d despite such tragedy? Was faith possible in Auschwitz?

Tweet

Vayechi: Anguish

December 8, 2013 – 12:50 am | Comments Off on Vayechi: Anguish3,834 views
anguish - innerstream

No Break
If you have ever seen a Torah Scroll you know that it contains paragraph breaks. Some paragraphs are longer than others, but at the end of the paragraph there is usually a break, especially at the end of a portion. There are very few portions that are not preceded …

Acharei Mot: Response to Tragedy

April 14, 2013 – 4:06 am | Comments Off on Acharei Mot: Response to Tragedy4,929 views
response to tragedy - innerstream

A Silent Response
During his inauguration to the High Priesthood, Aaron lost two sons. In response to tragedy Aaron was silent.[1] As High Priest, Aaron was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies on occasion, but only in silence – without bells on his tunic.[2] Silence seems to be thematic to …