ב"ה
Massei 5765 - August 5, 2005
Current
Peace or Piece?
"Peace" is commonly regarded as synonymous with compromise. But what if you compromise the very foundation on which the existence of peace depends?
"Peace" is commonly regarded as synonymous with compromise. But what if you compromise the very foundation on which the existence of peace depends?
Parshah
Masei in a Nutshell
The Israelites’ journey from Egypt until now is detailed. The boundaries of the Land of Israel are given, and cities of refuge are designated.
The Israelites’ journey from Egypt until now is detailed. The boundaries of the Land of Israel are given, and cities of refuge are designated.
Story
Choice
"What have I in my hand?" asked the young skeptic
"A butterfly," said the wise old man
"Is it alive or dead?" queried the youth
"What have I in my hand?" asked the young skeptic
"A butterfly," said the wise old man
"Is it alive or dead?" queried the youth
Haunted by Souls of the Past
I am a grandchild of Holocaust survivors but I feel haunted as if I went through it myself. I regularly see images of Auschwitz in dreams and flashes. I am sometimes even scared to tell people I am Jewish. Am I crazy?
I am a grandchild of Holocaust survivors but I feel haunted as if I went through it myself. I regularly see images of Auschwitz in dreams and flashes. I am sometimes even scared to tell people I am Jewish. Am I crazy?
Tribalism
Is tribalism good or bad for the soul? How are we to weigh our loyalties to family, community and "tribe" against our role as a partner in the mission and destiny of the entirety of the Jewish people?
Is tribalism good or bad for the soul? How are we to weigh our loyalties to family, community and "tribe" against our role as a partner in the mission and destiny of the entirety of the Jewish people?
Said Rabbi Yitzchak: The Torah ought to have started with "This month shall be to you..." (Exodus 12:2), which is the first mitzvah commanded to the people of Israel. Why, then, does it begin with, "In the beginning [G-d created the heavens and the earth]"? ... So that if the nations of the world say to Israel, "You are thieves, for having conquered the lands of the seven nations", they would reply to them: "The entire world is G-d's; He created it, and He grants it to whoever He desires. It was His will to give it to them, and it was His will to take it from them and give it to us"
Rashi's commentary on Genesis 1:1
Print Magazine
When the Mighty Waters cover your head, suffocating the soul and the flame that burnt inside . . .
When raging torrents of confusion drag you away in their current, ripping you from your hold on Life . . .
Look deeper. Beyond the soul.
For the soul itself, as well as the flame it holds, are rooted in a serene G‑dly Wor...
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