ב"ה
Acharei-Kedoshim 5769 - May 1, 2009
Living
Have You Ever Stuffed Tissues Down a Sink Drain?
She looks at me with those large brown eyes. There’s a hint of sadness, doubt, and even fear. She averts her gaze, trying to deny her act, as if she’s trying to take it back.
She looks at me with those large brown eyes. There’s a hint of sadness, doubt, and even fear. She averts her gaze, trying to deny her act, as if she’s trying to take it back.
The Soviet Official’s Intoxicated Inspiration
As the crowd dispersed from around the child, the Soviet official suddenly awoke from his drunkenness, pointed, and asked, "Who is that holy man?"
As the crowd dispersed from around the child, the Soviet official suddenly awoke from his drunkenness, pointed, and asked, "Who is that holy man?"
The Cholent Cook-Off
My cholent is a concoction of: a bow to ancient tradition, a recognition of life's bitterness and sweetness, and deference to my pedigree as a fourth-generation American
My cholent is a concoction of: a bow to ancient tradition, a recognition of life's bitterness and sweetness, and deference to my pedigree as a fourth-generation American
Chassidic History
The "Rebbe Maharash"
The life and teachings of Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, the fourth Chabad Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Maharash
The life and teachings of Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, the fourth Chabad Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Maharash
Where is G‑d? Or: Where is G‑d Not?
What of the world and all that is in it? What of the empirical sightings of our fleshly eye? Is it only an illusion?
What of the world and all that is in it? What of the empirical sightings of our fleshly eye? Is it only an illusion?
Feet Below, Eyes Above
"Sixty-two years have now passed," related Reb Pesach, "since I was privileged to hear from the Rebbe, your grandfather, that Shema is Yisrael..."
"Sixty-two years have now passed," related Reb Pesach, "since I was privileged to hear from the Rebbe, your grandfather, that Shema is Yisrael..."
The Jewish Woman
The Unlit Candle
Without a candle to light, there is no external testament to these other two souls, who lived briefly and invisibly as members of our family. There is only a feeling of loss in the air...
Without a candle to light, there is no external testament to these other two souls, who lived briefly and invisibly as members of our family. There is only a feeling of loss in the air...
Parshah
Because We’re All One
If we are a religion, then some Jews are more Jewish, others less Jewish, and many not at all. Perhaps nothing has been as detrimental to the Jewish people as the modern idea that Judaism is a religion.
If we are a religion, then some Jews are more Jewish, others less Jewish, and many not at all. Perhaps nothing has been as detrimental to the Jewish people as the modern idea that Judaism is a religion.
The Central Teaching
The idea that the entire Torah focuses around the theme of one's relationship with other people is quite striking
The idea that the entire Torah focuses around the theme of one's relationship with other people is quite striking
The Gift of Forgiveness
From my perspective as a family therapist, the greatest treasure in our Torah-inheritance is the instruction to free ourselves of anger and resentment...
From my perspective as a family therapist, the greatest treasure in our Torah-inheritance is the instruction to free ourselves of anger and resentment...
Compound Verses
Some commandments share “verse space” with another mitzvah. It is interesting to analyze these “compound verses” to find the unifying thread. Rebuke and love . . . Love and revenge . . . Know, but remain silent . . .
Some commandments share “verse space” with another mitzvah. It is interesting to analyze these “compound verses” to find the unifying thread. Rebuke and love . . . Love and revenge . . . Know, but remain silent . . .
Who is Holy?
Is it the mystic in the mountains, the monk in the monastery, or the guru in the garage? Judaism is certainly rich in spirituality; but how would it define 'holy'?
Is it the mystic in the mountains, the monk in the monastery, or the guru in the garage? Judaism is certainly rich in spirituality; but how would it define 'holy'?
Take Your Body Along
If when involved in a holy experience we feel uplifted, but only the soul makes the trip while the body remains behind, we are making the same holy error as the children of Aaron.
If when involved in a holy experience we feel uplifted, but only the soul makes the trip while the body remains behind, we are making the same holy error as the children of Aaron.
What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. This is the entire Torah; the rest is the commentary -- go and learn
— Hillel the Elder, to a would-be convert to Judaism who asked to be taught the entire Torah 'on one foot' (Talmud, Shabbat 31a)
Print Magazine
The sages say that all is in the hands of heaven except for the awe of heaven.
Which puts all the power in your hands.
Because if there is no awe of heaven, heaven is bankrupt. It owns nothing—not you, not your world, not anything at all.
That being so, the greatest power you have is your ability to surrender the delus...
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