Noach: When We Ask, G-d Listens
A man once petitioned Rabbi Nosson of Breslov for a blessing to find his match. He complained that he had been seeking the right woman for many years and had still not found her. Rabbo Nosson discerned that he was slipping into despair, so …
Re’eh: The Sacred Barbecue
The Barbecue
Its a lazy summer afternoon. Warm sunshine bathes the yard, birds perch atop the trees and a gentle breeze caresses its limbs. Sounds of playing children and chatting adults waft up through the yard and, on the patio, an aroma of sizzling steak rises from the barbecue.
Tweet
Eikev: The Deeper Bond
Opposites
Opposites attract. They say this is because life with a like-minded spouse is too agreeable and therefore boring. I say, really? Bring on the boredom. Please!
Tweet
Vaetchanan: Inadvertent Murder
The Refugee
We are all familiar with the modern notion of refugee. Our cities provide a haven of refuge for victims of instability and violence the world over, who petition our country for asylum. When our ancestors entered Israel, they too appointed cities of refuge. However, these cities were not populated …
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 …
Matot Masei: Purposeful Living
Loyalty
The purpose of wealth is power, the purpose of power is freedom and the purpose of freedom is what? There must be more to life than just this. But if there is, what is it?
Tweet
Pinchas: Realizing the Goal
Creationist Museums
The debate about Creationist Museums sparked my interest. Creationist Museums apply scientific methods to prove the biblical account, but it is the integrity of these methods that many in the scientific community have called into question.
Tweet
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)
Tweet
Chukat: The Nature of a Leader
Extraordinary
Ordinary events are to ordinary people, well, just plain ordinary. The supernatural, now that is extraordinary. Miracle workers are different. To them, the natural is astounding and the supernatural is routine. How do I know? A miracle worker told me so.
Tweet
Parsha Insights »
Shlach: Rewarding Excellence
Right not Fair
When my son joined little league I was surprised that all teams, losing and winning, received trophies. I realize that no one wants to brand their team a loser, but if everyone is rewarded, effort and excellence are not incentivized. It is only by rewarding excellence that we …
Yearly Cycle »
Ki Tisa: Humble Pride
The Perfume of Art
G-d instructed Moses on the art of making anointment oil with which Jewish kings and priests were anointed. The ingredients included spices of the finest sort: 500 shekel weights of pure Myrrh, half of it, 250 shekel weights, of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekel weights of fragrant cane …
Concepts »
Beshalach: Beneath the Mighty Sea
The Gardens
Seeking an escape from the fast pace of the big city, I used to visit the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens. Strolling along quiet lanes, I would breathe in the fragrance and enjoy the scenic beauty. Sitting peacefully by the pond, I would close my eyes and try to leave the city …
Rabbi’s Desk »
What Can We Do?
These past two days have been the most difficult for our people in the last fifty years. It was Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. Nearly a thousand members of our family were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and …
