ב"ה
Vayechi 5770 - January 1, 2010
Living
Enough of This Not Enoughness
Many of us have internalized an inner voice that constantly criticizes us with its self-defeating messages about how we just don't measure up...
Many of us have internalized an inner voice that constantly criticizes us with its self-defeating messages about how we just don't measure up...
Something About Nothing
Ultimately brilliance can be a handicap, we can become straitjacketed by what we know...
Ultimately brilliance can be a handicap, we can become straitjacketed by what we know...
Journeying From the Forest of Despair
Despite his age (late adolescence being a time of presumed invincibility) and his size (he was a big guy), my brother began to become fearful. Dusk was rapidly approaching...
Despite his age (late adolescence being a time of presumed invincibility) and his size (he was a big guy), my brother began to become fearful. Dusk was rapidly approaching...
The Off-Duty EMT Fiasco
The EMTs told employees at the eatery to call 911 and then left when they were asked to help. The woman was eventually taken to a hospital, where she died a short time later...
The EMTs told employees at the eatery to call 911 and then left when they were asked to help. The woman was eventually taken to a hospital, where she died a short time later...
Too Young to Worry About Money
Recently, I watched my daughter play "store" with her friend, and she put back some of her groceries because "she just couldn't afford them." It broke my heart.
Recently, I watched my daughter play "store" with her friend, and she put back some of her groceries because "she just couldn't afford them." It broke my heart.
What Spouses in Good Marriages Do
Whenever I would meet a long-married couple who appeared to have a good relationship, I would interview them about their marriage and listen to their stories. I began to recognize recurring principles...
Whenever I would meet a long-married couple who appeared to have a good relationship, I would interview them about their marriage and listen to their stories. I began to recognize recurring principles...
The Paradigm of Happiness
We've all met unhappy beauty queens and discontented millionaires. Marriages break up and dream jobs go sour. Is life just an endless conveyor belt of unmet expectations?
We've all met unhappy beauty queens and discontented millionaires. Marriages break up and dream jobs go sour. Is life just an endless conveyor belt of unmet expectations?
Aramaic: the Yiddish of the Middle East
While nearly no Jews still speak it or a modern version of it, Aramaic is an important part of Jewish literary and liturgical tradition.
While nearly no Jews still speak it or a modern version of it, Aramaic is an important part of Jewish literary and liturgical tradition.
Parshah
What Makes a Leader?
Reuben's descendents were destined to be the royalty of Israel. But alas, because of his shortcoming, that right was taken from him, and the kingship of Israel was transferred to Judah. But why Judah?
Reuben's descendents were destined to be the royalty of Israel. But alas, because of his shortcoming, that right was taken from him, and the kingship of Israel was transferred to Judah. But why Judah?
The Beheading of Esau
The deeper significance of the course of events which led to the burial of “Esau’s head in the bosom of Isaac.”
The deeper significance of the course of events which led to the burial of “Esau’s head in the bosom of Isaac.”
Twelve Cups of Tea
If life were a chessboard, would you be a pawn who can travel only in one direction?
If life were a chessboard, would you be a pawn who can travel only in one direction?
The Parshah in a Nutshell
Jacob blesses each of his sons before his passing. He is buried in the Cave of Machpelah in the Holy Land. Joseph dies at age 110, and asks his descendants to bury his remains in the Holy Land. This comes to pass only years later, upon the exodus from Egypt.
Jacob blesses each of his sons before his passing. He is buried in the Cave of Machpelah in the Holy Land. Joseph dies at age 110, and asks his descendants to bury his remains in the Holy Land. This comes to pass only years later, upon the exodus from Egypt.
Kabbalah on the Parshah
Selections from the teachings of the Kabbalistic masters on the week's Torah reading
Selections from the teachings of the Kabbalistic masters on the week's Torah reading
Jewish Stories
Apology Accepted
Quiet reigned in the little cottage; all the household members had long since retired for the night. Joyfully the host rushed about, serving his guest a glass of warm tea and pastry...
Quiet reigned in the little cottage; all the household members had long since retired for the night. Joyfully the host rushed about, serving his guest a glass of warm tea and pastry...
The Jewish Woman
On-Ramps, Off-Ramps, and Mommy Ramps
It seems like women return to the work force after years at home are altering the workplace, beginning with the advent of a whole new language...
It seems like women return to the work force after years at home are altering the workplace, beginning with the advent of a whole new language...
Not only the tribe of Levi, but any man of all the inhabitants of the earth, whose spirit has moved him and whose mind has given him to understand to set himself aside to stand before G-d to serve Him, to worship Him, to know G-d and walk justly as G-d has created him -- this man has become sanctified, a holy of holies, and G-d shall be his portion and his lot forever, and shall grant him his needs in this world, as He has granted the Kohanim and the Levites.
— Maimonides' Mishneh Torah, Laws of the Shemittah and Jubilee Cycles, 13:13
Print Magazine
“Every day, the Torah must be new to you.” (Sifrei)
Torah is our life, and life is here and now, forever new.
Which means that for you to be truly alive, the Torah you learn today must touch the core of your soul.
And the same tomorrow. And the next day as well.
To live with Torah is to be forever newly born.
Maamar...
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