ב"ה
Shelach 5769 - June 19, 2009
Living
Meditations on a Tuna Sandwich
Making tuna sandwiches is a holy activity--one that dates back to the times of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem
Making tuna sandwiches is a holy activity--one that dates back to the times of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem
A Shabbat on the Battlefield Saved My Life
The commanding officer, Victor, announced that ten percent of the soldiers could go home. But the truck arrived twenty-five minutes before Shabbat began.
The commanding officer, Victor, announced that ten percent of the soldiers could go home. But the truck arrived twenty-five minutes before Shabbat began.
A Bridge to Somewhere
As far as my level of mitzvot is concerned, what is a mitzvah? Doing the right thing? Not being a bad person? I always try to do that. Does one need religion for that?
As far as my level of mitzvot is concerned, what is a mitzvah? Doing the right thing? Not being a bad person? I always try to do that. Does one need religion for that?
Judaism
Judaism and Vegetarianism
For better or for worse, meat is an undeniable favorite on the kosher menu. Is this good? Let’s have a look . . .
For better or for worse, meat is an undeniable favorite on the kosher menu. Is this good? Let’s have a look . . .
Do Autistic Children Have Special Souls?
I am the mother of two autistic children. I love them both dearly, but as any parent of children with special needs will tell you, raising them is challenging and can often be full of disappointment, hurt and frustration...
I am the mother of two autistic children. I love them both dearly, but as any parent of children with special needs will tell you, raising them is challenging and can often be full of disappointment, hurt and frustration...
Parshah
The Parshah in a Nutshell
The twelve spies return with giant fruit, frightening the Jewish people, who complain and receive a severe punishment. Laws of challah and tzitzit. A man publically desecrates Shabbat, and is put to death.
The twelve spies return with giant fruit, frightening the Jewish people, who complain and receive a severe punishment. Laws of challah and tzitzit. A man publically desecrates Shabbat, and is put to death.
How Truth Got a Life
The other morning, I woke up to discover a little truth. At least, it seemed like a truth to me, but I wanted to make sure. I figured a good philosopher could help me with that . . .
The other morning, I woke up to discover a little truth. At least, it seemed like a truth to me, but I wanted to make sure. I figured a good philosopher could help me with that . . .
The Vacuum of Choice
On whose initiative were the spies sent? The way the story is told in Numbers 13, it was by divine command. But when Moses recounts these events 40 years later, he tells the people of Israel that it was their idea. The contradiction describes a watershed in the history of freedom of choice.
On whose initiative were the spies sent? The way the story is told in Numbers 13, it was by divine command. But when Moses recounts these events 40 years later, he tells the people of Israel that it was their idea. The contradiction describes a watershed in the history of freedom of choice.
On Life's Terms
Like the scouts, we were tragically mistaken. G‑d desires that He be found in reality. Whether or not we are up to the task is irrelevant. It is not on our power that we rely, but on His...
Like the scouts, we were tragically mistaken. G‑d desires that He be found in reality. Whether or not we are up to the task is irrelevant. It is not on our power that we rely, but on His...
The Grasshopper Complex
The true tragedy may be that the whole sorry spy saga might have been averted with just one counseling session by a good management consultant or psychologist...
The true tragedy may be that the whole sorry spy saga might have been averted with just one counseling session by a good management consultant or psychologist...
Three Challenges
We too face the discouraging “reports” from our own internal “spies,” who try to induce fear, using three primary arguments. Here’s how to answer them . . .
We too face the discouraging “reports” from our own internal “spies,” who try to induce fear, using three primary arguments. Here’s how to answer them . . .
The Power of the Beginning
The portion of challah that is separated is not just a reminder of our past, but even more importantly, a lesson for the present and the future
The portion of challah that is separated is not just a reminder of our past, but even more importantly, a lesson for the present and the future
Seeing brings on memory, and memory brings action
— Talmud, Menachot 43a
Print Magazine
We Jews are a diverse people. We speak many languages. We live in every part of the world. We have different cultures, foods, political views.
But when a Jew’s mind is absorbed within Torah, it is the same Torah within which another Jew is absorbed. And another Jew. And yet another.
We discuss and debate and share and...
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