ב"ה
Shoftim 5765 - September 9, 2005
Torn Together
How do you know that something is truly one and not many parts sewn together? Try to tear it apart...
How do you know that something is truly one and not many parts sewn together? Try to tear it apart...
Parshah
Shoftim in a Nutshell
“Justice”—the very concept is said to be a Jewish contribution to the world. A glance at this week’s Parshah (equality before the law, due process, protection of criminals from vigilante vengeance, curbs on the behavior of kings, rules and ethics in warfare . . . ) shows why.
“Justice”—the very concept is said to be a Jewish contribution to the world. A glance at this week’s Parshah (equality before the law, due process, protection of criminals from vigilante vengeance, curbs on the behavior of kings, rules and ethics in warfare . . . ) shows why.
Current
Surviving the Storm
If we always knew what lay in store for us, then the good that results from our "wrong" decisions would be lost forever...
If we always knew what lay in store for us, then the good that results from our "wrong" decisions would be lost forever...
Story
A Soldier’s Blessing
I was at my father’s side in the empty prep room. The room was silent; just the two of us. Suddenly—this could happen only in Israel—someone swung open the door and jabbed his head in. “I’m looking for my friend . . .”
I was at my father’s side in the empty prep room. The room was silent; just the two of us. Suddenly—this could happen only in Israel—someone swung open the door and jabbed his head in. “I’m looking for my friend . . .”
Torah, Slavery and the Jews
Yes, there's tension here, and as every good dramatist and massage therapist knows, tension is a good point to play with
Yes, there's tension here, and as every good dramatist and massage therapist knows, tension is a good point to play with
Written Word, Spoken Word
Compliments are rare. My critics are not shy and freely express their displeasure with my work. At the end of the day, I feel drained to my last drop of energy. So why do I bother teaching?
Compliments are rare. My critics are not shy and freely express their displeasure with my work. At the end of the day, I feel drained to my last drop of energy. So why do I bother teaching?
Should We Hate Them?
Many of us are not quite sure how to react towards terrorists who have no qualms about killing huge amounts of people. Should we be angry with them or should we feel sorry for them?
Many of us are not quite sure how to react towards terrorists who have no qualms about killing huge amounts of people. Should we be angry with them or should we feel sorry for them?
All About Elul
Elul is the sixth month in the Jewish calendar. A time of prayer and introspection, it is the prelude to the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Elul is the sixth month in the Jewish calendar. A time of prayer and introspection, it is the prelude to the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
"Judges and officers you shall place at all your city-gates..." (Deuteronomy 16:18). The human body is a city with seven gates--seven portals to the outside world: the two eyes, two ears, two nostrils and the mouth. Here, too, it is incumbent upon us to place internal "judges" to discriminate and regulate what should be admitted and what should be kept out, and "officers" to enforce the judges' decisions...
— Rabbi Shabtai HaCohen ("Shach"), 1622-1663
Print Magazine
From a letter:
Even if all your complaints about your spouse are well-founded and valid—show her your love, nevertheless. Show her unconditional love.
The sages taught that all our exile is due to the sin of senseless, unwarranted hatred.
When each one of us will start with unwarranted, unconditional love in our ow...
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