When G-d disciplines us, the pain is real—but it is born of love. When He gives freely, we feel His kindness. When He withholds or corrects, His love is less visible—but in truth, it runs even deeper.
Read the full story »Vaeira: Helpful Reminders
Bad Habits
I was in a rush the other day and in my haste made a mess of practically everything I touched. Yet I couldn’t relax. I commented to my wife that rushing never speeds up the process, but I would probably keep rushing anyway till I either hurt myself or …
Shemot: There is Always an Option
Only in America
High over the skies of Ohio I engaged my seat mate in discussion. His father is Protestant, his mother is Anglican and he, an earnest family man, wants to join the Anglican church. However, the only young congregation in his neighborhood with facilities for children is that of …
Vayechi: Is Judaism Dogmatic?
Fact or Myth?
Judaism encourages us to think for ourselves and to question everything. We are not meant to blindly accept, but to explore, analyze, debate and conclude. True or false?
Two Names
Joseph had two sons. He named the first one, Menashe because “Nashani Elokim,” G-d allowed me to forget my …
Vayigash: Jewish Leaders
National Pride
The Jewish nation lost its pride nearly two-thousand years ago. I’m not talking about religious pride. I’m talking about national pride.
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Miketz: From Joseph to Joseph
This essay was written shortly after Joe Lieberman was rejected by the Democratic Party and went on to win his senatorial seat in the great State of Connecticut as an independent. At that time, Lieberman held the swing vote in the Senate and because of his reputation for voting his …
Vayeshev: Miracle of Survival
Why?
We Jews have survived the longest and most turbulent exile in history. What inner strength enables our survival? Rejected by host nations, expelled from our homes and reviled by much of society, why haven’t we succumbed?
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Vayishlach: In Fear of his Brother
He was Worried
Hey, brother, can you spare a nickel? A penny or a dime? Jacob didn’t waste his time with such requests. His brother wanted to kill him and Jacob was desperate. He was afraid. He sent messengers asking, “Esau, can you spare a little love?” (1)
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Vayetze: Teffilin, The Bond of Love
Cross Roads
Just before Jacob left his father in law, Laban’s, home, he fulfilled the Mitzvah of Teffilin, phylacteries. (1)
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Parsha Insights »
B’chukotai: Material Reward
An Obvious Question
This week’s Parsha begins with an assurance from G-d that if we observe his commandments he will grant us many rewards including prosperity, safety, peace and national sovereignty. Many commentators have wondered why all the enumerated rewards are of a physical nature, are we not destined for spiritual …
Yearly Cycle »
Sukkot: Earthquake in Jerusalem
Mount of Olives
On the first day of Sukkot, the Haftorah reading is from Zacharia, chapter 14. In verse four the prophet tells us that in the Messianic age, “the Mount of Olives will split at its center eastward and westward, making a huge ravine, half the mountain will move northward …
Concepts »
Lift Up, Don’t Put Down
On occasion, we all need to correct or critique someone. It might be a colleague, employee, sibling, child, or even a spouse. How do you tend to do it? Would you say something like, “You’re doing it all wrong, here watch me,” or “Let me show you a more efficient …
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 …
