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February 1, 2025 – 9:33 pm | Comments Off on This Is My G-d72 views

In this Torah portion, the Jews made one of history’s most dramatic and romantic statements. When G-d split the Red Sea, they were overcome with emotion. “This is my G-d,” they exclaimed, “and I will beautify Him.” They didn’t say this is G-d or even this is our G-d; they …

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Articles by Lazer Gurkow

This Is My G-d

February 1, 2025 – 9:33 pm | Comments Off on This Is My G-d72 views
My-G-d

In this Torah portion, the Jews made one of history’s most dramatic and romantic statements. When G-d split the Red Sea, they were overcome with emotion. “This is my G-d,” they exclaimed, “and I will beautify Him.” They didn’t say this is G-d or even this is our G-d; they …

As The Hostages Come Home

January 25, 2025 – 8:54 pm | Comments Off on As The Hostages Come Home110 views
Hostages

As the hostages return home, they revel in their freedom, but at some point, they will ask themselves why they were liberated. What is their new purpose? What must they do with their newfound freedom?
Before the Exodus from Egypt, G-d gave us two commandments: circumcision and the paschal lamb. Why …

Why They Hate Us

January 18, 2025 – 9:00 pm | Comments Off on Why They Hate Us99 views
why-they-hate-us

In a small village in Lithuania, a young boy named Berel received a bicycle as a gift. Berel loved his bike and drove it every day, including Shabbat. The Rabbi heard about this and announced that Berel should henceforth be referred to as Berel the goy—the non-Jew. Berel heard about …

Why Saturday?

January 11, 2025 – 8:40 pm | Comments Off on Why Saturday?140 views
Shabbat

Before New Year’s Day, 2000, the New York Times created a mock front page for New Year’s Day, 2100. They concocted all kinds of news stories for the front page, and since New Year’s will fall on Friday that year, the editors added the time for Shabbat candle lighting. At …

Constructive Speech Prevents Harmful Speech

January 5, 2025 – 2:29 pm | Comments Off on Constructive Speech Prevents Harmful Speech155 views

Jacob summoned his son Joseph to his deathbed to share last-minute blessings and instructions. The last agenda item was to grant Joseph’s descendants the region of Shechem in Israel (Genesis 48:22). This was the only part of Israel Jacob granted directly to his children.
Jacob explained that he was authorized to …

The Dependable Sibling

December 28, 2024 – 10:41 pm | Comments Off on The Dependable Sibling107 views
Dependable-sibling

Some siblings are dependable. They show up to every family affair and are always in touch. They are the first to call when you return from a trip and always ask how you are doing. Some siblings are not quite like that. You hardly hear from them; they are always …

A Year Filled With Miracles

December 21, 2024 – 9:25 pm | Comments Off on A Year Filled With Miracles159 views
miracle-candles

Before we light the Chanukah candles, we chant a blessing to thank G-d for the miracles he performed in those days at this time. The basic meaning is that G-d performed miracles for us many years ago during this time of year. A deeper meaning is that G-d performed miracles …

Can you Guarantee My redemption?

December 14, 2024 – 9:04 pm | Comments Off on Can you Guarantee My redemption?153 views
goat

This week, we read about Judah’s encounter with Tamar. On the surface, it looked like an intimate rendezvous on the side of the road. On a deeper level, something historical and fundamental occurred. Judah, the leader among his brothers, fathered the ancestor of King David and Mashiach. Our sages saw …