Articles in Concepts
Taking the Plunge
The Cliff Jumpers
On a recent trip to the Niagara Escarpment I observed large signs proclaiming the prohibition against jumping off the high cliffs into the turbulent waters of Georgian Bay. At first I was surprised that the obvious had to be stated, after all, who in their right mind would …
The Rebbe
This Shabbat marks the Yhartzeit (anniversary of passing) of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe. His interest and reach was truly global as the rebbe cared for every Jew. It is with this in mind that I offer this essay. I hope you will take a moment this coming …
The Rebbe and World Leaders
A Wedding
It was 1929 in Warsaw Poland. Thousands of Jewish dignitaries from both Western and Eastern European countries gathered for a special occasion; the Lubavitcher Rebbe would marry off his daughter to a young, unassuming, previously unknown scholar.
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Living with Purpose
On Thursday, February 28, 2008, men and women from all walks of life were shaken to the core by the heinous murder of eight innocent men as they poured over sacred tomes in a Jerusalem seminary. Their tragic death was eulogized by communities the world over, who were horrified by …
Ki Teze: Why Usury is Forbidden
Brotherhood
Usury is not inherently wrong. On the contrary, it is critical to the conduct of business . Usury encourages banks to extend mortgages and loans, it enables entrepreneurs to establish or expand their business and it enables ordinary people to purchase homes and automobiles.
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Devarim: When Crying is not Enough
Emotional Death
“Rabbi,” he wailed, “my wife of seventeen years has just passed on and I cannot live without her.” This cry pierced me to the core. I empathized and soothed in every way I could. In the end, the words that resonated with him were, “Don’t compound your wife’s physical …
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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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. …
