G-d created the world through speech, and the words with which He created us are very much like flames. “Behold, my words are like flames” (Jeremiah 23:29). Flames don’t burn unless they have fuel to consume. The same is true of G-d’s words. “For G-d your G-d is a consuming …
Read the full story »Vayetze: Grappling With Sin
Showdown
Jacob lived with his uncle Laban for twenty years. During this time he married two of Laban’s daughters, fathered twelve children and built a lucrative cattle trade. Toward the end of this time Jacob sensed his uncle’s hostility and his growing resentment of Jacob’s success.Fearing his uncle, Jacob gathered his …
Toldot: Tapping Our Potential
Double Deceit
Jacob was cooking soup and his older brother wanted a bowl. Jacob offered the soup in return for Esau’s first born ritual rites. Esau didn’t hesitate; he happily surrendered his rites for a bowl of soup.
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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 …
Parsha Insights »
Improve Your Eye Sight
Every year, on the last Shabbat before Elul—the final month of the year, we read a Torah portion that begins with the word reeh—see. The passage reads, “See, I set before you a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that you fulfill the commandments of G-d your G-d that …
Yearly Cycle »
Shlach: What I Learned From A Tree
The Holy Tree
Oh, the tales trees could tell if only trees could tell tales.There is a large tree in my backyard under whose branches many little dramas have played out. Many a toddler has crawled under its branches, many a back has leaned against its trunk, over the years the …
Concepts »
Concepts: Invitation
Welcome to Innerstream's “Concepts” section, where essays are posted on the Jewish milestones in the cycle of life.
If you would like to explore any of these essays please click on one of the links in the “Concepts”
section of the menu, on the left side of your screen. The menu also
contains …
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 …
