Written Word, Spoken Word
By Chaya Shuchat
Compliments are rare. My critics are not shy and freely express their displeasure with my work. At the end of the day, I feel drained to my last drop of energy. So why do I bother teaching?
Spirituality » Short Insights » By Chaya Shuchat » Written Word, Spoken Word
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Eight Degrees of Giving
By Chaya Shuchat
Preserving the dignity of the receiver is a cornerstone of mitzvah of charity: Maimonides lists eight levels of giving, correlating to the degree to which the giver is sensitive to the needs and feelings of the recipient
Spirituality » Short Insights » By Chaya Shuchat » Eight Degrees of Giving
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Nice Guys Finish Last
By Chaya Shuchat
Their job was to bring up the rear and gather up any objects left behind--missing socks, perhaps, or lost children... It's not a very glorious role
Spirituality » Short Insights » By Chaya Shuchat » Nice Guys Finish Last
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Pure Oil
By Chaya Shuchat
"Ritually pure" -- what, exactly, is that? What properties does a ritually pure sample of olive oil have that the others don't?
Jewish Holidays » Chanukah » Insights & Stories » Oil » Pure Oil
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People of the Book
By Chaya Shuchat
Why does she take the word of an archeologist at face value while rejecting the historic testimony of an entire nation? Why do I accept an ancient document filled with puzzling statements as my guide for 21st century living?
Society & Living » Voices » On Being Jewish » People of the Book
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The Ethics of Envy
Ethics 4:1
By Chaya Shuchat
Call it the green-eyed monster. Call it spite, pettiness, insecurity. It's not a very satisfying way to live. How does one rid oneself of envy?
Library » Ethics of the Fathers » Chapter 4 » Insights » The Ethics of Envy
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Beating the Odds
By Chaya Shuchat
They determine who will die, and when. They control the weather, the stock market, and whose car will spring a flat tire during rush hour. Powerful things, the Odds
Spirituality » Short Insights » By Chaya Shuchat » Beating the Odds
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The Case of the Missing Etrog
By Chaya Shuchat
On the cosmic mitzvah scale there really is no difference if I make a blessing over my lulav-and-etrog set, or if that same set is used by a Jew on the streets of Brooklyn.... mitzvah = mitzvah, right?
Jewish Holidays » Sukkot & Simchat Torah » Sukkot » Stories » The Case of the Missing Etrog
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