Insights

Do you ever feel that you still haven’t figured out what you’ll do “when you grow up”?

Using Torah law (to which, we are told, G-d conforms) as our criterion, what would G-d's obligations toward us be when we labor to fulfill the purpose towards which He placed us in the world?

We can appreciate the connection between a mentor and a friend. But why is the lesson of judging people favorably taught in the same sentence?

In the immortal words of the famous first century sage Hillel: "If I am not for myself, then who will be for me?..." In other words: I need to look after myself; who else should? So where's the problem with selfishness? For that, we need to consider the rest of Hillel's statement...

The ability to communicate is central to human function. Why then would the sages suggest that silence is a value worth pursuing? Isn't silence the absence of speech?

I signal her for a ride but she seems to be ignoring me. What nerve! She is sitting comfortably in her nearly empty, air-conditioned car and is patently ignoring me.

Melbourne has often been named one of the most livable cities in the world. Lesser known, but most important, is that this “shtetl” is famous for its kindness—it’s hachnasat orchim—generously hosting and caring for its guests, and for the enormous compassion that the people have for each other.

It’s rare that if you smile at someone, they won’t smile back at you.