ב"ה
Tevet 10, 5770 - December 27, 2009
Living
Should We Forgive the Nazis?
What does the Torah, speaking on behalf of the creator of morals and ethics, have to say about this? If G‑d were confronted, so to speak, with this complex moral query, how would He respond?
What does the Torah, speaking on behalf of the creator of morals and ethics, have to say about this? If G‑d were confronted, so to speak, with this complex moral query, how would He respond?
From Ashes to Rebirth
The land was rocky, the stones needed to be removed by hand, and in the first two years, the lack of water in the area necessitated water to be trucked in daily. Yet these youngsters persisted...
The land was rocky, the stones needed to be removed by hand, and in the first two years, the lack of water in the area necessitated water to be trucked in daily. Yet these youngsters persisted...
My Eleven-Year-Old Archeologist
A book in English from just a few centuries ago is practically incomprehensible to anyone who is not versed in Old English. Yet these ancient scrolls are readable to any child who has attended a Jewish day school
A book in English from just a few centuries ago is practically incomprehensible to anyone who is not versed in Old English. Yet these ancient scrolls are readable to any child who has attended a Jewish day school
Talking Too Much
We have so much advice! And saying those words directly is the easiest approach. Why beat around the bush?
We have so much advice! And saying those words directly is the easiest approach. Why beat around the bush?
A Spiritual Experience
G-d did not prove to Moses,Elijah and my grandfather or anyone else that he was G-d. They all experienced something that brought them to believe.
G-d did not prove to Moses,Elijah and my grandfather or anyone else that he was G-d. They all experienced something that brought them to believe.
First Snow
I looked at it, and I wanted to crawl back under my warm covers. My children saw it, and to them it was something to experience, to feel, touch, handle and manipulate
I looked at it, and I wanted to crawl back under my warm covers. My children saw it, and to them it was something to experience, to feel, touch, handle and manipulate
Parshah
We're Not Alone
Surely the greatest miracle of our generation is that after Auschwitz Jews still wanted to be Jewish. What has kept us going? What has convinced us that there's a point to rebuilding our families, our communities and our homeland?
Surely the greatest miracle of our generation is that after Auschwitz Jews still wanted to be Jewish. What has kept us going? What has convinced us that there's a point to rebuilding our families, our communities and our homeland?
Confessions of an Outreach Worker
I confess. There were times I wanted to make a bonfire on Shabbat. And play my guitar on a Jewish holiday. And to do away with the divider that separates men and women in the synagogue...
I confess. There were times I wanted to make a bonfire on Shabbat. And play my guitar on a Jewish holiday. And to do away with the divider that separates men and women in the synagogue...
Can Love Overcome Resentment?
Judah was essentially saying, "It makes no difference whether I think that my father was unfair. I have reached deep within myself and know that the most important truth is that I love my father and I cannot allow him such pain..."
Judah was essentially saying, "It makes no difference whether I think that my father was unfair. I have reached deep within myself and know that the most important truth is that I love my father and I cannot allow him such pain..."
The Fake Enemy
The purpose of the exercise was to move Jacob and family from Hebron to Egypt, about 200 miles as the crow flies across the Sinai Peninsula. But what a convoluted route this exercise took!
The purpose of the exercise was to move Jacob and family from Hebron to Egypt, about 200 miles as the crow flies across the Sinai Peninsula. But what a convoluted route this exercise took!
Anger Management 101
We all experience the pain of being treated unjustly by others. Anger is the natural reaction, yet it's counter-productive and often self-destructive. The story of Joseph and his brothers teaches us how to deal with these feelings...
We all experience the pain of being treated unjustly by others. Anger is the natural reaction, yet it's counter-productive and often self-destructive. The story of Joseph and his brothers teaches us how to deal with these feelings...
Vintage Wine or Split Peas
The significance of the two food gifts Joseph is said to have sent to Jacob from Egypt
The significance of the two food gifts Joseph is said to have sent to Jacob from Egypt
Judah's Chutzpah
My voice of insecurity whispered: perhaps if we were lower key he'd be less hostile? Is our Jewish pride fueling his anti-Semitism? On the other hand, why should I compromise my identity as a Jew to appease his racist rage?
My voice of insecurity whispered: perhaps if we were lower key he'd be less hostile? Is our Jewish pride fueling his anti-Semitism? On the other hand, why should I compromise my identity as a Jew to appease his racist rage?
Joseph: A Pictorial
A series of drawings by Dutch artist Shoshannah Brombacher, based on the Biblical stories about Joseph, the son of the patriarch Jacob
A series of drawings by Dutch artist Shoshannah Brombacher, based on the Biblical stories about Joseph, the son of the patriarch Jacob
The Parshah in a Nutshell
Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, who are overcome with remorse. They return to Canaan and bring their father, Jacob, to be reunited with his son after 22 years. Joseph becomes wealthy, and Pharaoh gives his family the fertile land of Goshen as their own.
Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers, who are overcome with remorse. They return to Canaan and bring their father, Jacob, to be reunited with his son after 22 years. Joseph becomes wealthy, and Pharaoh gives his family the fertile land of Goshen as their own.
The Jewish Woman
The Mask of Protection
I had to take my daughter Ayden to the doctor the other day. It was something I had really been avoiding. With everything going around, a doctor's office was about the last place I wanted to be...
I had to take my daughter Ayden to the doctor the other day. It was something I had really been avoiding. With everything going around, a doctor's office was about the last place I wanted to be...
Jewish Stories
The Fat Jew
One day, it was revealed to Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov that he had merited that a great soul would be his "roommate" and partner in the World To Come...
One day, it was revealed to Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov that he had merited that a great soul would be his "roommate" and partner in the World To Come...
The First Rothschild
The Rabbi found it hard to believe that Anschel Moses might be a thief. Perhaps he had merely borrowed the money...
The Rabbi found it hard to believe that Anschel Moses might be a thief. Perhaps he had merely borrowed the money...
Do You Have a Father?
What kind of question did Joseph ask his brothers? Doesn't everybody have a father?
What kind of question did Joseph ask his brothers? Doesn't everybody have a father?
Kabbalah Online
Jewish Mysticism and Modern Physics
The reciprocal transformation of matter and energy is a major theme of both modern physics and Jewish Mysticism
The reciprocal transformation of matter and energy is a major theme of both modern physics and Jewish Mysticism
Seasons of the Soul
Asarah B'Tevet (Tevet 10) 2025
On Asarah B'Tevet, the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Asarah B'Tevet is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance.
On Asarah B'Tevet, the 10th day of the Jewish month of Tevet, in the year 3336 from Creation (425 BCE), the armies of the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. Asarah B'Tevet is observed as a day of fasting, mourning and repentance.
Siege Mentality
When faced with a tragedy we mourn. But we also ask ourselves: what positive element lies buried within this negative experience? We cannot always see it. But we always look for it
When faced with a tragedy we mourn. But we also ask ourselves: what positive element lies buried within this negative experience? We cannot always see it. But we always look for it
The Holocaust
Provocative essays and moving stories about the Holocaust, one of the darkest eras in Jewish history.
Provocative essays and moving stories about the Holocaust, one of the darkest eras in Jewish history.
Books With Souls
The real completion of a Sefer Torah (Torah scroll) --the Rebbe said--is in the sefarim, the printed Torah books --such as the ones returned to us on the 5th of Tevet
The real completion of a Sefer Torah (Torah scroll) --the Rebbe said--is in the sefarim, the printed Torah books --such as the ones returned to us on the 5th of Tevet
Thank G‑d for the Moon!
Once a month, as the soft, mellow light of the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah . . .
Once a month, as the soft, mellow light of the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah . . .
Jewish News
Worldwide Celebrations a Hodgepodge of Fire, Ice and Cake
Chanukah celebrations this year featured thousands of new faces, and a surprising array of unusual menorahs – some edible, others enormous – that graced locations in every time zone.
Chanukah celebrations this year featured thousands of new faces, and a surprising array of unusual menorahs – some edible, others enormous – that graced locations in every time zone.
Elie Wiesel to Hungary: Be Strong in Fighting Hate
Near the end of an historic two-day return to his native Hungary, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel embraced the brother of two individuals mentioned in his semi-autobiographical memoir of life in the concentration camps.
Near the end of an historic two-day return to his native Hungary, Holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel embraced the brother of two individuals mentioned in his semi-autobiographical memoir of life in the concentration camps.
Scribe Brings Ancient Synagogue Back to Life
A rabbi and an Israeli park administrator opened a new chapter in history by repairing the 2,000-year-old break in the chain between the Jews of modern Israel and those who once lived atop the wind-swept mountain fortress of Masada.
A rabbi and an Israeli park administrator opened a new chapter in history by repairing the 2,000-year-old break in the chain between the Jews of modern Israel and those who once lived atop the wind-swept mountain fortress of Masada.
TheRebbe.org
The Rebbe and the Chess Prodigy
The Rebbe's relationship with an international chess champion; the Rebbe's spiritual take on the "Game of Kings"; and the chassidic "kings" who enjoyed the game.
The Rebbe's relationship with an international chess champion; the Rebbe's spiritual take on the "Game of Kings"; and the chassidic "kings" who enjoyed the game.
The three loves -- love of G-d, love of Torah and love of one's fellow -- are one. One cannot differentiate between them, for they are of a single essence... And since they are of a single essence, each one embodies all three.
— The Lubavitcher Rebbe
Print Magazine
What Is Alef? (A Point Above, a Point Below)
What is an alef?
A point above, a point below, and a line between.
Whatever we may understand of Him
is but an infinitesimal point above.
The only way we can join with Him
is as an infinitesmal point below.
And what empowers us to become this zero-point below
that resonates with the infinite-point above?
Our awe...
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