Vayak'hel-Pekudei 5769 - March 20, 2009
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Why did G‑d give me mental illness?
By Aron Moss
Every soul journeys down into this world with two suitcases. One is full of challenges; the other, the talents and strengths necessary to withstand those challenges. The first suitcase is opened for you; the second you have to open yourself. |
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One for My Husband and One for Me
The Woman Who Won a Lottery--and Built Synagogues
By Mirish Kiszner
'Dubbela, why are you singing?' She asked, 'What's making you so happy?' I told her, 'It's my day today. I'm on my way to buy a lottery ticket and I'm sure that I'll win.' |
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Taking G‑d to Court
By Nechemia Schusterman
Shouldn't G‑d be held accountable for all the suffering that He is aware of, and certainly is in the position to ameliorate? G‑d should be required to answer for His "missteps"—at least as they impact our lives! |
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When the Town Robber Gave Charity
By Dovid Zaklikowski
As she was washing, a known local robber and swindler swiped the ring and ran off... She shrieked that the robber just made off with her ring. "It is worth 100 coins!" |
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Do You Live in a Fish Bowl?
By Chana Weisberg
As I gaze at them, I wonder about their perceptions of their home: Do our fish realize that this twenty gallon tank is just a tiny miniature replica of their authentic home, in some faraway lake or sea? |
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How Can the Rabbis Add to Torah?
By Tzvi Freeman
Why do the rabbis add so many laws to the Torah? Isn't that what caused Adam and Eve to sin--the fact that Eve made unwarranted additions to G‑d's law? |
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A 3,300 year-old Environmental Protection Law
By Eliezer Danzinger
A closer look at a 3,300 year-old environmental protecttion law |
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What's Wrong With Pre-Marital Intimacy?
By Chaya Sarah Silberberg
I feel that intimacy is an important part of a relationship, and would create a very strong bond between us. So what's wrong with pre-marital intimacy? |
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A Link In the Chain
My Daughter's First Prayer Book
By Sara Debbie Gutfreund
So here I sit at my youngest daughter's siddur party, my digital camera poised in one hand, and my other hand wiping away a stray tear... |
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My Mikvah Baby
A Spiritual Pregnancy
by Katherine Agranovich
I find myself praying and talking to Him like never before, finding the great relief of putting all my fears in His hands. I want the birth of this baby to highlight my journey to know myself and G‑d's presence in me... |
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Naama Shafir
University of Toledo Basketball Player Faces the Challenge of Honoring her Religious Beliefs while Competing
By Maureen Fulton for the Toledo Blade Sports
Every Saturday, as the afternoon begins to draw to an end, some of the University of Toledo women's basketball players prepare to make a phone call. When the sun finally sets, they dial their teammate. "Naama, it's time to come out and play!" they sing to her... |
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The Parshah in a Nutshell
Vayak'hel-Pekudei & Hachodesh - Exodus 35:1-40:38 & 12:1-20
Three roofs and 48 wall panels... 4,386 pounds of gold... 8 garments and 7 days of initiation... and five lessons from the contrast, union and interplay of community and individuality |
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Wise of Heart
By Shlomo Yaffe
Why does Moses issue a call for the “wise of heart”? Is this not a contradiction in terms? After all, wisdom is in the mind, while emotions are in the heart! |
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A Silence Louder Than Words
By Naftali Silberberg
On the 27th of Adar the Rebbe suffered a stroke, and spoke no more. How are we to view this event? What does it demand of us? |
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My Grandma's Selective Memory
By Shimon Posner
She built in America what architects of the land said could not be supported. But then, looking at blueprints, it can be hard to see passion |
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Raising Funds and Children
By Elisha Greenbaum
Men, women and children all lined up to contribute to the cause. One would hardly imagine that the children's gift made much of a difference to a project as grand as that of the Tabernacle... |
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Community, Individuality, and Why It's Frustrating to Have a Brain
Based on the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Vayak'hel and Pekudei: why they are joined (some years), why they are seperated (other years), why Vayak'hel comes first, why Vayak'hel took Pekudei's name and Pekudei took Vayak'hel's, not to mention the fact that both Parshahs appear to be almost entirely superfluous |
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Legislators Laud Emissaries on Occasion of Ottawa Rabbinical Conference
By Dovid Zaklikowski
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined members of the House of Commons in saluting the Canadian Federation of Chabad-Lubavitch as 100 emissaries gathered for a national conference on Parliament Hill. |
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