Do you peddle in relative truths, or are you a stickler for the absolute truth? This essay examines the two types of truth and posits that G-d’s truth is absolute.
Read the full story »Passover: Journey Forth
Four Schools of Thought
As our ancestors stood poised before the Red Sea, an argument broke out and in true Jewish fashion there was more then one school of thought. The Midrash describes the four different schools of thought that prevailed. (a) Fatalism – Let’s drown ourselves in the sea (b) …
Seventenn of Tamuz: Destruction and Hope
During the Hebrew month of Tamuz, Jews around the world observe a three-week semi mourning period to commemorate the destruction of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
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Yom Kippur: A Midrashic Account
A Stolen Gem
The Midrash relates that “when Moshe ascended to the supernal abode he heard the angels singing the words 'Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuso Leolam Vaed' and upon his descent he taught it to the Jewish people. Why does Israel not proclaim these words in public? Says, Rabbi Asi, this …
Vayera: Generosity Pays
A Pillar of Salt
G-d destroyed the city of Sedom but saved Lot and his family. As they were escaping the angel instructed them to look forward. “Don’t look behind you, lest you be swept away” (in G-d’s wrath.) Lot didn’t look back but his wife did and she was cruelly …
Lech L’cha: The Power of Blessing
Two Anomalies
In our Parsha G-d makes a powerful promise to Avraham, one we would all have loved to receive. “And I shall bless those who bless you, and he who curses you shall be cursed.” Upon examination, the reader will notice two anomalies.
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Chayei Sarah: Reasons of Infinity
I am a Servant
In our Parsha we read that Eliezer, servant of Avraham, traveled to Charan to seek Rivkah’s hand in marriage to Yitzchak. When he appeared before her family he prefaced his presentation with the words, “I am a servant of Avraham.” The Talmud teaches that even the casual …
New Year Greeting 5766: Emotional Disengagement
As we enter the new year the catchword in the Jewish world is the word “disengagement.” Some are in favor, others opposed but everyone is talking about it. Should Jews voluntarily disengage from portions of the holy-land or are our ties to our country too deep to easily disengage? It is interesting …
Ha’azinu : The Rainmaker
Rain and Dew
When on vacation I like to rise early to study, pray and enjoy the crisp ambiance of an early summer morning. Some mornings I awake to the patter of rainfall as a soft drizzle sprinkles the ground and cools the air. Other mornings I awake to glorious and …
Parsha Insights »
Vayikra: A Sincere Gift
The Thought Counts
A man once complained to me that his wife never appreciates the gifts he brings home for her. I asked him how much money he spends on himself and how much he spends for his wife. He acknowledged that he spends far more on himself then he does …
Yearly Cycle »
Rosh Hashanah Shabbat Shuva: On Credit
A Year on Credit?
Everyone knows that the last festival of the High Holidays season is Simchat Torah when we dance around the Bimah with the Torah in a ceremony called Hakafot. But did you know that hakafot is not only the mark Simchat Torah, the last holiday of the High …
Concepts »
Nitzavim: Sunnyside Up
The Sunnyside
The other day, my three-year-old son accompanied me to the supermarket. I put a few dozen eggs in the cart and asked him if he likes eggs. What kind are they, he replied, hard boiled or sunny side up?
It made me realize that this is a question for life. …
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 …
