ב"ה
Chayei Sarah 5770 - November 13, 2009
Chassidic Thought
Living
Road Rage
She's calm, with both hands firmly on the wheel. His free hand gesticulates wildly out the window, punctuating the expletives pouring from his mouth. He's fuming. She's oblivious. I'm tickled.
She's calm, with both hands firmly on the wheel. His free hand gesticulates wildly out the window, punctuating the expletives pouring from his mouth. He's fuming. She's oblivious. I'm tickled.
Male Brain, Female Brain
My heart skipped a beat as I grasped that this child had already internalized a harsh reality, i.e. "To feel is to fail." To be a "man" means to be tough, in full control of one's emotions and immunized against fear, pain and sadness.
My heart skipped a beat as I grasped that this child had already internalized a harsh reality, i.e. "To feel is to fail." To be a "man" means to be tough, in full control of one's emotions and immunized against fear, pain and sadness.
The Deciding Factor
The very act of deciding limits us; it strips us of the illusion of freedom we have when all options are open to us...
The very act of deciding limits us; it strips us of the illusion of freedom we have when all options are open to us...
The Cave of the Patriarchs
The Cave of Machpelah (Cave of the Patriarchs), located in historic Hebron, is one of the most famous pieces of real estate on earth.
The Cave of Machpelah (Cave of the Patriarchs), located in historic Hebron, is one of the most famous pieces of real estate on earth.
A Bridge to Somewhere - Part IX
I already mentioned to you that the negative reactions reflect what is happening in the community with regards to this matter. This whole debate is therefore very positive...
I already mentioned to you that the negative reactions reflect what is happening in the community with regards to this matter. This whole debate is therefore very positive...
Jewish Stories
Tzitzit for Cheap!
Two souls meet midway between heaven and earth. "Nu, what can you tell me about the world I am about to enter?" asks the descending soul.
Two souls meet midway between heaven and earth. "Nu, what can you tell me about the world I am about to enter?" asks the descending soul.
A Joke Made in Heaven
“Go in peace,” said the Maggid to the destitute and unmarried young scholar. “Accept the first marriage proposal that is suggested to you.”
“Go in peace,” said the Maggid to the destitute and unmarried young scholar. “Accept the first marriage proposal that is suggested to you.”
The Traveler
"At home?" said Rabbi DovBer. "Oh yes... At home, it is a different matter altogether..."
"At home?" said Rabbi DovBer. "Oh yes... At home, it is a different matter altogether..."
Parshah
The Parshah in a Nutshell
Sarah passes away, and Abraham purchases the Cave of Machpelah for her resting place. Eliezer is sent to find a wife for Isaac, and he meets Rebecca, who treats him and his camels with kindness and generosity. Isaac and Rebecca marry; Abraham dies and is buried next to his wife Sarah.
Sarah passes away, and Abraham purchases the Cave of Machpelah for her resting place. Eliezer is sent to find a wife for Isaac, and he meets Rebecca, who treats him and his camels with kindness and generosity. Isaac and Rebecca marry; Abraham dies and is buried next to his wife Sarah.
Aging with Grace
Abraham and Sarah entered each day as one would enter his home, entirely and without reserve...
Abraham and Sarah entered each day as one would enter his home, entirely and without reserve...
The Strangest Shidduch
"Opposites attract" -- but how opposite can happily married spouses be? Take Isaac and Rebecca. Or G‑d and our world
"Opposites attract" -- but how opposite can happily married spouses be? Take Isaac and Rebecca. Or G‑d and our world
An Arranged Marriage
Had Isaac and Rebecca met in the modern age, their courtship might have looked something like this. Isaac would notice Rebecca at the well . . .
Had Isaac and Rebecca met in the modern age, their courtship might have looked something like this. Isaac would notice Rebecca at the well . . .
Bachelors in Heaven
You're marrying the man you love. But there's this one strange thing: no one knows where he's been or what he's been doing for the last three years. What does this bode for your marriage?
You're marrying the man you love. But there's this one strange thing: no one knows where he's been or what he's been doing for the last three years. What does this bode for your marriage?
The Emissaries
What do you do if you have a vision, and are determined to see that vision implemented in the life of every man, woman and child on the face of the earth?
What do you do if you have a vision, and are determined to see that vision implemented in the life of every man, woman and child on the face of the earth?
The Storyteller
Humans love to talk. To this end, we have invented hundreds of languages and dozens of media. What lies behind the human being's verbosity?
Humans love to talk. To this end, we have invented hundreds of languages and dozens of media. What lies behind the human being's verbosity?
The Jewish Woman
Why Can't We Get Along?
Disagreements in marriage can be a real exercise in humility and maturity and force us to transcend our subjectivity. If we embrace the discomfort of the dispute we can come out with a lot more than a wounded ego...
Disagreements in marriage can be a real exercise in humility and maturity and force us to transcend our subjectivity. If we embrace the discomfort of the dispute we can come out with a lot more than a wounded ego...
Postpartum Depression
PPD would never happen to me. I was too "happy"! I was always the type of person that people viewed as so capable, energetic, and positive. But I suddenly realized that PPD could happen to anyone, even me...
PPD would never happen to me. I was too "happy"! I was always the type of person that people viewed as so capable, energetic, and positive. But I suddenly realized that PPD could happen to anyone, even me...
The Last One Left
She is in constant pain from her arthritis. She knows that so many of her dreams are lost--her husband who is gone, the children she wanted but never had. Yet she is happy. Every visit, we are blessed with another little glimpse into a world that is long gone...
She is in constant pain from her arthritis. She knows that so many of her dreams are lost--her husband who is gone, the children she wanted but never had. Yet she is happy. Every visit, we are blessed with another little glimpse into a world that is long gone...
Jewish News
Annual Emissaries Conference Underway
Celebrating 70 years of their movement being directed from the United States, almost 4,000 Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries from around the globe are making their way to the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y., for an annual conference exploring everything from energizing teenage congregants to strengthening Jewish activities in the wake of an economic downturn.
Celebrating 70 years of their movement being directed from the United States, almost 4,000 Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries from around the globe are making their way to the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, N.Y., for an annual conference exploring everything from energizing teenage congregants to strengthening Jewish activities in the wake of an economic downturn.
Jewish College Students Leave New York Rejuvenated
Representing more than 100 campuses worldwide, hundreds of university students descended on the Jewish community of Crown Heights in Brooklyn, N.Y., for several days of what one participant succinctly described as a dose of spiritual “rejuvenation.”
Representing more than 100 campuses worldwide, hundreds of university students descended on the Jewish community of Crown Heights in Brooklyn, N.Y., for several days of what one participant succinctly described as a dose of spiritual “rejuvenation.”
Photographer Trains Lens on Far-Flung Chasidic Community
Frederic Aranda is regarded by some as one of the world’s most exciting fashion and portrait photographers, but it is the world of Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis and their families that forms the unlikely subject for the artist’s first solo exhibition.
Frederic Aranda is regarded by some as one of the world’s most exciting fashion and portrait photographers, but it is the world of Chabad-Lubavitch rabbis and their families that forms the unlikely subject for the artist’s first solo exhibition.
For this mitzvah which I command you this day, it is not hidden from you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, "Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, "Who shall cross the sea for us, and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?" For the thing is very near to you, in your mouth, and in your heart, that you may do it.
— Deuteronomy 30:11-14
Print Magazine
People might tell you, “When you come to work, leave your spirituality at home. Don’t bother us with your peculiar lifestyle, your ethics, search for meaning . . . That’s all nice, but this is business. This is the real world.”
There is only one real world, and it belongs to one real G‑d.
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