ב"ה
Shoftim 5769 -August 21, 2009
Chassidic Thought
How to Get to Heaven
Sometimes you need to see things in your mind's eye; sometimes you need to close your eyes and see things with your soul...
Sometimes you need to see things in your mind's eye; sometimes you need to close your eyes and see things with your soul...
Who Am I to Bring Moshiach?
If all the great sages, mystics, and holy people of the past generations were unable to bring Moshiach in their lifetimes, how can we imagine we will be able to make it happen?
If all the great sages, mystics, and holy people of the past generations were unable to bring Moshiach in their lifetimes, how can we imagine we will be able to make it happen?
Bless You!
It's the time of year that Jews bless each other with life and health, sustenance and happiness. How does the blessing thing work?
It's the time of year that Jews bless each other with life and health, sustenance and happiness. How does the blessing thing work?
Living
The Rabbi’s Motorcycle Accident
Katia’s voice became choked with emotion as she continued, “I became very angry at Jews and at Judaism. I decided that it was not for me. ‘If Jews behave like this,’ I thought to myself, ‘it’s better for me to be among non-Jews.’”
Katia’s voice became choked with emotion as she continued, “I became very angry at Jews and at Judaism. I decided that it was not for me. ‘If Jews behave like this,’ I thought to myself, ‘it’s better for me to be among non-Jews.’”
Did You Marry for Beauty or Money?
There's an old stereotype when it comes to marriage. Men marry women for their looks. Women marry men for their money. There are of course many exceptions to this rule. But there is some truth to it too.
There's an old stereotype when it comes to marriage. Men marry women for their looks. Women marry men for their money. There are of course many exceptions to this rule. But there is some truth to it too.
Lost But Found
I wouldn't go. I didn't want to. I felt no connection with a wooden box being put into a hole in the ground. That was not my daddy, it couldn't be. I was not going to have that as my last memory of my daddy.
I wouldn't go. I didn't want to. I felt no connection with a wooden box being put into a hole in the ground. That was not my daddy, it couldn't be. I was not going to have that as my last memory of my daddy.
Make Time for Boredom
It is challenging for a parent to know when to help a child find a suitable activity and when to wait it out, until the child is able to break through their boredom and emerge into the new world on the other side...
It is challenging for a parent to know when to help a child find a suitable activity and when to wait it out, until the child is able to break through their boredom and emerge into the new world on the other side...
The Jewish Woman
My Path From Atheist to Believer
There are more than six billion people living on this planet, and most of them have their own opinions about G‑d. They also have a story behind their opinion…
There are more than six billion people living on this planet, and most of them have their own opinions about G‑d. They also have a story behind their opinion…
The Incredible Returns of a Time Investment
For my son, there was one teacher who stands out. He was a new teacher, fresh out of rabbinical school and trying his hand at education...
For my son, there was one teacher who stands out. He was a new teacher, fresh out of rabbinical school and trying his hand at education...
Why I Don’t Put on Tefillin
I had always been fascinated with tefillin (phylacteries), the two black leather boxes with Torah verses of parchment inside, worn on the head and wrapped around the arm. The basic explanation is that it is a way of connecting to our Creator and it is the binding of head, heart and deed...
I had always been fascinated with tefillin (phylacteries), the two black leather boxes with Torah verses of parchment inside, worn on the head and wrapped around the arm. The basic explanation is that it is a way of connecting to our Creator and it is the binding of head, heart and deed...
Parshah
The Parshah 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.
Take It As It Comes
If we cannot give up our worries about the future, then our trust in Him is tenuous, conditional and half-hearted. What we are really telling G‑d is that our relationship with Him is conditional.
If we cannot give up our worries about the future, then our trust in Him is tenuous, conditional and half-hearted. What we are really telling G‑d is that our relationship with Him is conditional.
Here Comes the Judge
A teacher once conducted an experiment. He held up a white plate and showed it to the class. In the center of the plate was a small black spot. He then asked the class to describe what they saw.
A teacher once conducted an experiment. He held up a white plate and showed it to the class. In the center of the plate was a small black spot. He then asked the class to describe what they saw.
Is My Body Mine?
My body is "me," so why should anyone else care? Why should the Torah care? Why should the Torah give rules for how I treat my own body?
My body is "me," so why should anyone else care? Why should the Torah care? Why should the Torah give rules for how I treat my own body?
What Is Prophecy?
How does one become a prophet? What is it like to experience prophecy? Does prophecy exist today?
How does one become a prophet? What is it like to experience prophecy? Does prophecy exist today?
A Matter of Trust
We spend our youth building up cynicism, and then we are suddenly expected to make all those big life changes, like marriage and kids, that require faith in our fellow human beings, not to mention in ourselves . . .
We spend our youth building up cynicism, and then we are suddenly expected to make all those big life changes, like marriage and kids, that require faith in our fellow human beings, not to mention in ourselves . . .
Every narrative is guidance for living. Every story calls forth a fine character trait, an inner enthusiasm for beautifying a mitzvah.
— Hayom Yom, Av 26
Print Magazine
Emunah (eh-moo-na): A knowing, deep in the soul, that there is only one G-d, that He is good, and that He loves you unconditionally.
Simchah (sim-kha): A mighty current of life-energy felt when contemplating emunah.
Bitachon (bi-ta-khon): A surge of invincible confidence that emerges when emunah is challenged by circums...
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