Articles by Lazer Gurkow
Authentic Leaders
Authentic leaders are few and far between. Most people think of authentic leaders as leaders willing to do what is right, even when it is unpopular. That is authentic leadership. However, I was talking about authentic leaders. What’s an authentic leader?
Authentic leaders are not in it for themselves; they are …
The Best Life Advice
This week, we read about the spies that Moses sent to inspect Israel ahead of the Jews’ arrival. The story begins like this: “And G-d spoke to Moses, saying, send people for yourself, and they will inspect the land of Canaan that I will give to the children of Israel” …
The Jewish Trump Card Over Iran
Last night, Israel launched a devastating preemptive strike against Iran’s military and nuclear ambitions. The IDF explained that Iran was on the verge of producing nuclear weapons, and there is no question of their aims against Israel. This was a preemptive strike, but by no means an opening salvo. This …
Light Up Your Students
When speaking of lighting the candles in the Temple, the Torah uses an unusual euphemism. Rather than saying lighting the candles, it speaks of raising the candles. Rashi offers two interpretations. (A) Hold the torch to the wick until the flame rises on its own, and only then do you …
The Priestly Blessing: When G-d Shows His Love
In this week’s Torah portion, we read about the priestly blessing. G-d designates the kohanim (priests) to be blessers of the Jewish people. They wash their hands in the ritual manner, remove their shoes, stand before the congregation, spread their arms forward, and interlock their fingers. They wrap their heads …
Make Your Desert Bloom
Every year, we read a Torah portion called Bamidbar—in the desert—on the Shabbat before Shavuot. This portion describes the census of the Jews in the desert. Just as we count forty-nine days and then celebrate Shavuot, so should we read about the counting of the Jews and then celebrate Shavuot.
This …
Shooting in Washington
I am not distraught, I am angry. I don’t know why this shooting, this mindless taking of life, was the string that broke my camel’s back, but it did.
The suspect says he did it for Palestine. Do you believe him? I don’t. I bet he did it because he was …
When the Soul is Bound to G-d
On Friday, May 16, Jews around the world will celebrate Lag Ba’omer. Lag Ba’omer is a joyous day. In Israel, thousands flock to Miron, the burial site of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, the second-century Talmudic sage who passed away on this day.
Rabbi Shimon was the first to publicize and record …
