Kabbalat Ol ("acceptance of the yoke"; unequivocal commitment to G-d)

When we are "thirsty", when we desire to be united with G-d in a way that transcends the limited scope of our thoughts and feelings, we derive pleasure from "water", from kabbalas ol...

When a person who has been conditioned to totalitarianism accepts something unquestioningly, this does not constitute an unequivocal acceptance; for he is accustomed to being told what to do...

It came to pass that one Sukkot, the honor of pouring the water on the altar was given to a Sadducee priest; but instead of pouring the water into its prescribed bowl in the southwest corner of the altar, this priest spilled it on his feet . . .

On Rosh Hashanah, we reiterate our commitment to G-d as our king. But isn't kingship a metaphor whose time has passed?

Two Offerings: Water and Wine Our Sages state Sukkah 51b. that “he who has not witnessed the cele­bration of Simchas Beis HaShoevah has never seen happiness in his life.” This refers to the celebration which accompanied the water libation, the offering ...

Sometimes -- explained Rabbi Sholom DovBer -- like when a person is required to enter a tub of scalding water, the head will hesitate. It is the heels who plunge in and lead the way

My movements are sluggish. A thousand times I have done this. Thousands more I will . . . I yearn for “inspiration” . . .

On this day, Moses made a covenant with the Jewish people at the foot of Mount Sinai at which the people declared, "All that G-d has spoken, we shall do and hear" (Exodus 24:7) committing themselves to observe the Torah's commandments ("do") and strive ...

To be a Jew is to be constantly moving from what you are to what you can be, and from what you have made of yourself to yet a deeper truth of what you are

Eliezer could have taken ownership of his mission and said, “My name is Eliezer and, on behalf of Isaac, I am here to ask for Rebecca’s hand.” Instead he declared: “I am a servant of Abraham”