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?

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

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

“Ritually pure”—what, exactly, is that? What properties does a ritually pure sample of olive oil have that the others don’t?

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?

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?

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

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?