ב"ה
Yitro 5770 - February 5, 2010
Judaism
Can You Sell Your Soul to the Devil?
The idea of "selling one's soul to the devil"—meaning, becoming a slave of the devil in exchange for favors provided—does not exist in Torah. Jewish ethical works do describe instances where one can be somewhat "possessed" by evil drives. But even that state is always reversible.
The idea of "selling one's soul to the devil"—meaning, becoming a slave of the devil in exchange for favors provided—does not exist in Torah. Jewish ethical works do describe instances where one can be somewhat "possessed" by evil drives. But even that state is always reversible.
Who Needs Darkness?
Why does our Creator plunk us down into despair, misery and sorrow and then ask us to struggle toward the light? Why not put us in the light in the first place?
Why does our Creator plunk us down into despair, misery and sorrow and then ask us to struggle toward the light? Why not put us in the light in the first place?
How Can the Commentaries All Be Right?
There are so many differences of opinion as to what happened and what it means--how can they all be right?
There are so many differences of opinion as to what happened and what it means--how can they all be right?
Jewish Stories
I Can't Say Goodbye, Yussie
He proceeded to the end of the hall and knocked on the bedroom door. He heard the whimpering of a dog inside. The rabbi took a deep breath and turned the doorknob...
He proceeded to the end of the hall and knocked on the bedroom door. He heard the whimpering of a dog inside. The rabbi took a deep breath and turned the doorknob...
Road Work
Near the park, we were forced to detour via a parallel street. At the next traffic light, the Rebbetzin said to me: “I heard a woman screaming. Can you go back and see what that was about?”
Near the park, we were forced to detour via a parallel street. At the next traffic light, the Rebbetzin said to me: “I heard a woman screaming. Can you go back and see what that was about?”
The Loan
Rabbi Shmuel was very careful in keeping the accounts of the free-loan fund, marking every transaction carefully in his books...
Rabbi Shmuel was very careful in keeping the accounts of the free-loan fund, marking every transaction carefully in his books...
Pushcart Prophet
"No, no," came the impatient reply from within. "Everything is in perfect condition. There's no need for any repairs"
"No, no," came the impatient reply from within. "Everything is in perfect condition. There's no need for any repairs"
Parshah
How Moses Celebrated His Achievements
How is one meant to be both successful and humble, when ego seems like the inseparable companion of success? A lesson from Moses, the only person the Torah refers to as "humble."
How is one meant to be both successful and humble, when ego seems like the inseparable companion of success? A lesson from Moses, the only person the Torah refers to as "humble."
On An Eagle's Wings
Why did the Almighty choose the imagery of an eagle to describe His love for and providence over us? One question - five explanations
Why did the Almighty choose the imagery of an eagle to describe His love for and providence over us? One question - five explanations
Echoes
The word entered me like tiny pieces of a puzzle that found the space, or impression, that was carved exactly to fit their dimensions
The word entered me like tiny pieces of a puzzle that found the space, or impression, that was carved exactly to fit their dimensions
Wanted: Childish People
To the child, "yesterday" is code word for "completely irrelevant past," and "tomorrow" is code word for "utterly irrelevant future."
To the child, "yesterday" is code word for "completely irrelevant past," and "tomorrow" is code word for "utterly irrelevant future."
The Third Month Family
“My children are constantly fighting with each other,” laments Susan, a mother of three. “Will there ever be peace in my home?”
“My children are constantly fighting with each other,” laments Susan, a mother of three. “Will there ever be peace in my home?”
The First Commandment
How the First Commandment, "I Am the L-rd your G-d", and the Sixth Commandment, 'Do not kill", are one and the same
How the First Commandment, "I Am the L-rd your G-d", and the Sixth Commandment, 'Do not kill", are one and the same
The Parshah in a Nutshell
The Israelites camp opposite Mount Sinai, and declare their willingness to perform G-d’s will. G-d proclaims the Ten Commandments, but His voice is too intense for the Israelites, and they beg Moses to be their intermediary.
The Israelites camp opposite Mount Sinai, and declare their willingness to perform G-d’s will. G-d proclaims the Ten Commandments, but His voice is too intense for the Israelites, and they beg Moses to be their intermediary.
Living
Mintsha’s Miracle
Suddenly—but maybe not so suddenly—it’s as though a bizarre spell has been cast upon your beautiful three-year-old. You begin the appointment maze . . .
Suddenly—but maybe not so suddenly—it’s as though a bizarre spell has been cast upon your beautiful three-year-old. You begin the appointment maze . . .
Unbreakable Faith
After reading this brave boy's words, I couldn't help but wonder: how could such a young boy demonstrate this inner fortitude in a moment of so much anguish?
After reading this brave boy's words, I couldn't help but wonder: how could such a young boy demonstrate this inner fortitude in a moment of so much anguish?
Touring Israel With Kids
Climbing up Masada at dawn? Breathtaking. Placing notes between the cracks of the Kotel? Uplifting. Taking your family on a trek through the Jewish homeland? Priceless.
Climbing up Masada at dawn? Breathtaking. Placing notes between the cracks of the Kotel? Uplifting. Taking your family on a trek through the Jewish homeland? Priceless.
How to Get Your Spouse to Want to Change
When we feel understood, honored and loved, we are more likely to listen to others' concerns about changing an aspect of our personalities.
When we feel understood, honored and loved, we are more likely to listen to others' concerns about changing an aspect of our personalities.
Getting Kids to Help
We find it easier to do the job ourselves rather than spare the time and energy it takes to teach our children to do it. But it's our job to teach them to be givers...
We find it easier to do the job ourselves rather than spare the time and energy it takes to teach our children to do it. But it's our job to teach them to be givers...
Will Ladino Rise Again?
Apart from a small group of enthusiasts and academics, the Jewish world has taken little notice of Ladino's demise...
Apart from a small group of enthusiasts and academics, the Jewish world has taken little notice of Ladino's demise...
The Jewish Woman
Dear Neshama'le
Dear Neshamal'e , decided to write you. I wanted to begin with 'My Neshama'le or 'our Neshama'le, but mainly you are His Neshama'le...
Dear Neshamal'e , decided to write you. I wanted to begin with 'My Neshama'le or 'our Neshama'le, but mainly you are His Neshama'le...
What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?
I took my dreams of planting patches of beauty, of roaming, and of beauty and wrapped them up carefully in crinkly tissue. Then I put them in a place where the light of hope and striving for a dream never reach...
I took my dreams of planting patches of beauty, of roaming, and of beauty and wrapped them up carefully in crinkly tissue. Then I put them in a place where the light of hope and striving for a dream never reach...
Soul of a Jew
The moment we choose, the choice is not free. But is chosen choice chosen, or given really?
The moment we choose, the choice is not free. But is chosen choice chosen, or given really?
KabbalaOnline.org
More than the calf desires to suck, the cow desires to nurse
— Talmud, Pesachim 112a
Print Magazine
In the Temple in Jerusalem was a seven-branched menorah.
That is us, the Jewish people.
Each of us is a flame. One flame burns softly. Another burns with a roar. Until seven branches are filled with millions of distinct, unique flames.
All are drawn upwards, all yearning to reunite with their Beloved above.
...
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