The Meaning of Sound
What does sound mean to you? Sound plays many roles. It is a vehicle for communication, music, and even distraction, but at its root sound is the simple indicator of life.
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Read the full story »Pekudei: Was Iraq Freed?
This essay was written in 2005, when the US led effort to bring democracy to Iraq was still in its infancy.
Democracy in Iraq
The international media has subjected the US-led coalition that liberated Iraq and established a democratic government, to intense scrutiny and even criticism.
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Pinchas : Same Sex Marriage Part One
This essay is not related to the Parsha of the week but is posted here
because the subject has recently become a household topic of discussion
[Part one of three]
The Debate
Same Sex Marriage is a front-page news item debated in North American
media, legislatures and courts. The topic has recently piqued again
because of …
Matot: Same Sex Marriage Part Two
Two Arguments
Same Sex Marriage is often defended on the following grounds.1.Legalizing behavior that is religiously forbidden doesn't imply that such behavior is beyond religious reproach. It simply implies that such behavior is beyond secular reproach. Though such behavior violates religious values we must not bring such concerns to the public …
Shabbos: The Theology
A Testimony to G-d
The raw elements of the
universe that G-d created are for the most part non-utilitarian. G-d
created man and charged him with the responsibility of reshaping this
nature so that it would better provide for man’s needs.. From the
beginning of time men have struggled to manipulate the forces of
nature.
We …
Shabbos: The Experience
The Highlight of the Jewish Week
“Six Days a week you shall
work and on the seventh day you rest”. Shabbos is a symbol of the
covenant between G-d and the Jewish nation. The covenant is enacted
through observing twenty-four hours of Shabbos rest (See section three)
For the Jew, Shabbos is a
day of complete …
Shabbos: The Rituals
Preparations
We often refer to the day of Shabbos as “Shabbos the queen” or “Shabbos the
bride”. The underlying message is that Shabbos is a distinguished guest whom we
are honored to welcome into our homes.
The preparations for this honored guest are very extensive. Shopping and
cooking usually begins two or three days before …
Shabbos: Thirty-Nine Catagories
Shabbos Prohibitions
It would be far beyond the scope of this essay to do justice to the intricate details of the Shabbos prohibitions. However, we will attempt provide a general overview of the categories of Melacha (work) that is prohibited on Shabbos.
The written Torah does not clearly delineate the individual types …
Shabbos: Rabbinical Additions and Enactments
Our sages have instituted many additional enactments that help safeguard the original thirty-nine Melachos. There are two forms of protective legislation that our sages have put into effect concerning the laws of Shabbos.
A. Safeguarding the laws of Shabbos.
The first form of legislation is one that safeguards the biblical prohibitions of …
Parsha Insights »
Terumah: Good Intentions
Good intentions are important, but they aren’t everything.
When it comes to Mitzvot, intentions are important, but the action is primary. If you want to mow the lawn, you need to go out and mow it. Intending to mow the lawn and even visualizing yourself doing it, won’t cut it (pun …
Yearly Cycle »
Vaeirah: Hiding Behind Destiny
Was it their fault?
In this week’s Parsha we are given a demonstration of G-d’s power as he smites the mighty conquerors and frees the slaves.
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Concepts »
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 …
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 …
