ב"ה
Balak
Parshah
A Love (From) Hate Relationship
Balak hated the Jews—but for good reason; in his estimation, they presented a mortal threat to him. Balaam, on the other hand, like so many anti-Semites throughout the ages, hated the Jews for no reason at all...
Balak hated the Jews—but for good reason; in his estimation, they presented a mortal threat to him. Balaam, on the other hand, like so many anti-Semites throughout the ages, hated the Jews for no reason at all...
Balak's Bad Day
Balak was having a bad day. The Moab State Department has just sent him a memo that two mighty kings in the region had being defeated and killed by the invading Hebrews. Consumed with panic, he called a press conference...
Balak was having a bad day. The Moab State Department has just sent him a memo that two mighty kings in the region had being defeated and killed by the invading Hebrews. Consumed with panic, he called a press conference...
Sighting Moshiach
Is it true that he shall suddenly appear on a main street in Jerusalem, a poor old man spewing forth wisdom and declaring the time of redemption has arrived? If so, why will they not lock him up?
Is it true that he shall suddenly appear on a main street in Jerusalem, a poor old man spewing forth wisdom and declaring the time of redemption has arrived? If so, why will they not lock him up?
Of Donkeys and Discernment
G‑d has given us something far, far superior to "Donkeyvision": the challenge of liberty and the gift of discernment...
G‑d has given us something far, far superior to "Donkeyvision": the challenge of liberty and the gift of discernment...
Parshah in a Nutshell
Balak sends Balaam to curse the Jews. His talking donkey tries to stop him, to no avail. Each time he opens his mouth, Balaam ends up blessing the nation instead.
Balak sends Balaam to curse the Jews. His talking donkey tries to stop him, to no avail. Each time he opens his mouth, Balaam ends up blessing the nation instead.
Living
I Am My Father
I love my father because when I bow my head, close my eyes and think for a moment about who I am, my father is there. To want my father I just have to be his son...
I love my father because when I bow my head, close my eyes and think for a moment about who I am, my father is there. To want my father I just have to be his son...
Success and Failure
What is your objective? What will make all the sweat, strained muscles and endless hours in the gym worthwhile?
What is your objective? What will make all the sweat, strained muscles and endless hours in the gym worthwhile?
Doctors of Humility
How does he see that he may be holding a heart in his hand, but life is not in his hands, that he can make a man live or die, but has no right over life and death, and has no right to do anything but heal?
How does he see that he may be holding a heart in his hand, but life is not in his hands, that he can make a man live or die, but has no right over life and death, and has no right to do anything but heal?
Gaining Cooperation
Both husbands and wives can ask each other to change some aspect of their behavior in order to bring about improvement. This is not the same as trying to control one’s partner...
Both husbands and wives can ask each other to change some aspect of their behavior in order to bring about improvement. This is not the same as trying to control one’s partner...
Working With the Oppositional Child
Though much has been written on the topic of the “oppositional child,” techniques often deal with the child’s limitations, rather than focusing on his/her future potential...
Though much has been written on the topic of the “oppositional child,” techniques often deal with the child’s limitations, rather than focusing on his/her future potential...
Jewish Stories
Do You Have a Father?
What kind of question did Joseph ask his brothers? Doesn't everybody have a father?
What kind of question did Joseph ask his brothers? Doesn't everybody have a father?
The Homeowner
Instead of answering the chassid's question, Rabbi DovBer dispatched him to the town of Zhitomir. "Go visit my disciple, Rabbi Zev" he said. "Only he can provide you with the answer you seek"
Instead of answering the chassid's question, Rabbi DovBer dispatched him to the town of Zhitomir. "Go visit my disciple, Rabbi Zev" he said. "Only he can provide you with the answer you seek"
Unlimited Secrets
"Were all seawater ink and all the vast firmament paper, and all stalks quills, it would still not be enough for me to write down the wisdom I have acquired."
"Were all seawater ink and all the vast firmament paper, and all stalks quills, it would still not be enough for me to write down the wisdom I have acquired."
The Jewish Woman
Counting Other People’s Money
At each of their stops over their forty-year trek, the people made sure to erect their tents in a modest arrangement. Apparently, it was this exceptionally sensitive quality amongst them that made it impossible for Balaam to harm them.
At each of their stops over their forty-year trek, the people made sure to erect their tents in a modest arrangement. Apparently, it was this exceptionally sensitive quality amongst them that made it impossible for Balaam to harm them.
Regaining the Throne
The days before Mariam leaves are an emotional rollercoaster. "What am I going to tell the kids? They're so attached to her," I think, lying in bed and staring at the moon. "And what about me? I can't handle my family and run my business without her. And yet, in the midst of my panic, I become aware of a part of me that's rejoicing because Mariam is leaving...
The days before Mariam leaves are an emotional rollercoaster. "What am I going to tell the kids? They're so attached to her," I think, lying in bed and staring at the moon. "And what about me? I can't handle my family and run my business without her. And yet, in the midst of my panic, I become aware of a part of me that's rejoicing because Mariam is leaving...
Chassidic Thought
Is the World Really Getting Better?
You're always talking about how the world is ready and prepared for the Age of Moshiach. I don't see it. It looks like a pretty awful world to me...
You're always talking about how the world is ready and prepared for the Age of Moshiach. I don't see it. It looks like a pretty awful world to me...
The Baal Shem Tov on Perpetual Creation
Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov explained the process by which G‑d creates something from nothing. Like many of his teachings, it is revolutionary at the same time that it merely elucidates traditional, age-old teachings.
Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov explained the process by which G‑d creates something from nothing. Like many of his teachings, it is revolutionary at the same time that it merely elucidates traditional, age-old teachings.
Who Needs a Human Moshiach?
The mortgage broker is an impartial intermediary between the lender and the borrower. Moshiach plays a not-so-different role...
The mortgage broker is an impartial intermediary between the lender and the borrower. Moshiach plays a not-so-different role...
Seasons of the Soul
America: The Final Frontier
The challenge presented by the Soviet gulags and the KGB pale in comparison to the challenge we face in today's Western society.
The challenge presented by the Soviet gulags and the KGB pale in comparison to the challenge we face in today's Western society.
Define Your G‑d
What statement ends a discussion regarding the motive for odd, or even dangerous, behavior? What causes you to capitulate and say, “I get it, point made, actions justified, the end . . .”?
What statement ends a discussion regarding the motive for odd, or even dangerous, behavior? What causes you to capitulate and say, “I get it, point made, actions justified, the end . . .”?
The Arrest
I answered calmly and clearly: "I do not know which Schneersohn you seek. If you enter into someone's home, surely you know in advance who dwells there, and this drama is pointless"
I answered calmly and clearly: "I do not know which Schneersohn you seek. If you enter into someone's home, surely you know in advance who dwells there, and this drama is pointless"
Mitzvahs & Traditions
Thank G‑d for the Moon!
Once a month, as the soft, mellow light of the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah . . .
Once a month, as the soft, mellow light of the moon waxes in the sky, we recite a special blessing called Kiddush Levanah . . .
Did I ever despise the judgment of my servant and my maid when they argued with me? ... Did not my Maker make him, too, in the belly, and did not the same One form us both in the womb?
— Job 31:13, 15
Print Magazine
Between the brain and the heart lies a narrow strait called the neck.
This neck presents a major challenge, because the brain must ponder very deeply to squeeze its thoughts through such tight passage and reach the heart below.
But it is also a great advantage, because when the heart is thrown to and fro by the migh...
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