Over the past week, we have seen anti-Israel college takeovers with protestors openly declaring their desire to kill Jews and to render Israel—from the river to the sea—Juden Rein. The brazen tactics and bullying have left many Jewish students and faculty members afraid to venture onto campus. As we approach …
Read the full story »Chayei Sarah: Like Mother Like Daughter
Inner Joy
If you identify the source of happiness and bottle it you could be an instant millionaire. The problem is that true happiness cannot be granted or purchased; true happiness comes from within.
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Vayera: Can You Feel My Pain?
Praying For Others
“Rabbi, I hope you can help my poor neighbor. He is six months behind his rent and is about to evicted along with his wife and three babies.” “This man must be a good friend of yours,” the Rabbi replied, “of course we will help.”“Friend,” exclaimed the petitioner, …
Lech L’cha: Ancestral Rights Or Globalism
Ancient Divide
Shortly after Great Flood Noah apportioned the known landmass to his three children. Japheth, the oldest son, was awarded Asia and Europe, Ham, the youngest, received the African continent and Shem, the youngest son, received a relatively small section in the Middle East. It was hardly a continent, but …
Noach: Mr. Perfect
Noah or Abraham
We have a friend, who is committed to perceiving everything in life as absolutely perfect. He is a virtual Mr. perfect. He once shared with us that he wakes up every morning and exclaims “perfect, perfect, perfect.” I thought this a wonderful, if bizarre, way to start the …
Bereishit: Saying No Is Constructive
Obsessed with Prohibitions
The Torah is obsessed with the word No; don’t do this,
refrain from that, this is negative and that is dangerous. For every “do” there
are ten “don’ts.” Take Shabbat for example. Its only positive commandment is to
sanctify the day; all others are negative. Don’t drive, don’t cook, don’t shower
and …
Crystals of Life
A Celestial Impact
On Friday, October 9, 2009, NASA scientists intentionally crashed a 2.2 ton rocket into the moon to determine whether water exists on our closest celestial neighbor. The rocket’s impact – it came in at 5,600 mph, twice the speed of a bullet – threw up 772,000 pounds of …
Simchat Torah: The Dancing Souls
Saved By The Dance
It was a cold autumn day; the skies covered with the perpetual cloud of ash that hovered daily over Auschwitz. A group of fifty young Yeshiva students were herded into the gas chambers, ostensibly for a cold shower. This was well enough into the history of Auschwitz …
Sukkot: Public Displays of Jewish Pride
Inside Outside
I know you are Jewish at home, but are you comfortable with your Judaism on the street? Would you walk home from Shull with a Talit (prayer shawls) on your shoulders? Do you sport a kippah (head covering) when shopping at your local grocery store? Are you Jewish outside …
Parsha Insights »
Follow The Money
One of the most popular antisemitic tropes is that Jews are all about money. But is there perhaps some truth to this? After all, when the Jewish census was taken, Moses didn’t count people. Instead, he counted money. He told each Jew to donate a half silver coin, and he …
Yearly Cycle »
Tishah B’av:The Silver Lining
Asaf’s Perspective
On the ninth day of the Hebrew month Av, we fast and mourn as we mark the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash in the year 69 CE. A story is told of Asaf, a Levite and the choirmaster at the holy temple. He was renowned for his music and …
Concepts »
Vaysihlach: Civilian Casualties
The Ethical Dilemma
Attacked by a barrage of rockets from Gaza that killed several, injured many and terrorized millions, Israel responded with airstrikes against military targets in Gaza. Radar guided missiles attacked terror cells, rockets launchers, bomb factories and Hamas government installations.[1]
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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 …
