ב"ה
Shoftim
Seasons of the Soul
The Month of Elul: Insights, Stories and Observances
A History of Elul... A Haven in Time... Reviewing the Year... Month of the Bride... The King in the Field... All about Elul -- the month that G-d feels closer to us and we feel closer to Him
A History of Elul... A Haven in Time... Reviewing the Year... Month of the Bride... The King in the Field... All about Elul -- the month that G-d feels closer to us and we feel closer to Him
The Month of the Bride
In every relationship, there are times when the “male” or giving partner takes the initiative, and times when the “female” or receiving partner is the first to express her feelings.
In every relationship, there are times when the “male” or giving partner takes the initiative, and times when the “female” or receiving partner is the first to express her feelings.
Quantum Repentance
Imagine if you could turn your very worst liabilities into your most precious assets--using both cutting edge science and state-of-the-art religion, i.e., Judaism
Imagine if you could turn your very worst liabilities into your most precious assets--using both cutting edge science and state-of-the-art religion, i.e., Judaism
G-d on the Campaign Trail
How does G-d prepare for His annual reelection? Does He just sit up there in His "palace" trusting in our good sense to proclaim Him king once again? Does He go after the vote, mingling with the masses, pressing the flesh, kissing babies?
How does G-d prepare for His annual reelection? Does He just sit up there in His "palace" trusting in our good sense to proclaim Him king once again? Does He go after the vote, mingling with the masses, pressing the flesh, kissing babies?
Mitzvahs & Traditions
Psalms and Jewish Prayer for Healing
For time immemorial, whenever Jews found themselves in difficult situations, whether individually or communally, they would open up the Book of Psalms and use King David’s ageless poetic praises and supplications to beseech G-d for mercy...
For time immemorial, whenever Jews found themselves in difficult situations, whether individually or communally, they would open up the Book of Psalms and use King David’s ageless poetic praises and supplications to beseech G-d for mercy...
The Month of Elul
Elul is a time to review the past and look at where you’ve come in life. “The King is in the field,” meaning that the G‑dly spark within you is much more accessible, as long as you search for it.
Elul is a time to review the past and look at where you’ve come in life. “The King is in the field,” meaning that the G‑dly spark within you is much more accessible, as long as you search for it.
Chassidic Thought
Heading for the Peak
Every day, I’m faced with the challenge of scaling my inner self, reaching the peak of my psycho-spiritual range, lifting myself from the base of life’s mountain.
Every day, I’m faced with the challenge of scaling my inner self, reaching the peak of my psycho-spiritual range, lifting myself from the base of life’s mountain.
Where Are the 600,000 Letters of the Torah?
The black are the letters we see, while the white, the inverse space between the black, are the letters we don't see. Some souls, like the black letters of the Torah, have a clear purpose and focus. Others are more like the white letters...
The black are the letters we see, while the white, the inverse space between the black, are the letters we don't see. Some souls, like the black letters of the Torah, have a clear purpose and focus. Others are more like the white letters...
How To: "Soul Accounting" in 5 Steps
I've been told that in the month of Elul, we are supposed to do a cheshbon hanefesh – "an accounting of the soul." Though I have a bachelor's degree in mathematics, I still can't figure this one out.
I've been told that in the month of Elul, we are supposed to do a cheshbon hanefesh – "an accounting of the soul." Though I have a bachelor's degree in mathematics, I still can't figure this one out.
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.
Parshah
Leave the Do-Gooders Alone
Just because you decided against leaving your footprints in the sands of time, that's no excuse for knocking other people off their feet.
Just because you decided against leaving your footprints in the sands of time, that's no excuse for knocking other people off their feet.
Thinking or Feeling—Which Is More Important?
The tree’s greatest benefit is the fruit it produces; man’s greatest hallmark is the fruit of his intellect—the knowledge being absorbed by his emotions to create the proper feelings, and then actions.
The tree’s greatest benefit is the fruit it produces; man’s greatest hallmark is the fruit of his intellect—the knowledge being absorbed by his emotions to create the proper feelings, and then actions.
What You Obviously Don't Know
One of the most fascinating clauses in the Torah's criminal justice system is the law of the "indefensible criminal." If the evidence against the accused is so compelling that not a single one of the 23-member tribunal is inclined to argue in his favor, he cannot be convicted!
One of the most fascinating clauses in the Torah's criminal justice system is the law of the "indefensible criminal." If the evidence against the accused is so compelling that not a single one of the 23-member tribunal is inclined to argue in his favor, he cannot be convicted!
The Blame Game
While no one will argue that man’s psyche is a tabula rasa, the question is: to what extent do we control the choices that we make? Whom can I blame? Where does my choice begin?
While no one will argue that man’s psyche is a tabula rasa, the question is: to what extent do we control the choices that we make? Whom can I blame? Where does my choice begin?
The Human Tree
A look at the various parts of the tree—roots, trunk, branches, leaves, fruit and seeds—and their corresponding elements within the human being
A look at the various parts of the tree—roots, trunk, branches, leaves, fruit and seeds—and their corresponding elements within the human being
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.
Jewish Stories
"Just One Blast!"
"Today we do not blow Shofar. Tomorrow morning, we will blow the shofar in shul." The child did not comprehend the reasons. He kicked and screamed, telling his Zeide, "One more blast! One more blast!"
"Today we do not blow Shofar. Tomorrow morning, we will blow the shofar in shul." The child did not comprehend the reasons. He kicked and screamed, telling his Zeide, "One more blast! One more blast!"
The Man Who Crossed the River with a Kerchief
"Perhaps I can help you," said the Baal Shem Tov. On small slips of paper he wrote, in simple Yiddish, "morning prayers," "addition for Mondays and Thursdays," "for Shabbat," and inserted them in the innkeeper's siddur
"Perhaps I can help you," said the Baal Shem Tov. On small slips of paper he wrote, in simple Yiddish, "morning prayers," "addition for Mondays and Thursdays," "for Shabbat," and inserted them in the innkeeper's siddur
Living
A Letter to Shlomo
As the beloved counselor of the oldest bunk of 14 teenagers, they quickly understood something was wrong with me. They probed hard and found out that, somewhat like E.T., I needed desperately to “phone home”—to connect with Shabbat...
As the beloved counselor of the oldest bunk of 14 teenagers, they quickly understood something was wrong with me. They probed hard and found out that, somewhat like E.T., I needed desperately to “phone home”—to connect with Shabbat...
When I Forgave G‑d
The King is in the field. Okay, we know that the King refers to G‑d. What about the rest? What is the field? What does it mean that G‑d is in the field? And what am I supposed to do about it, if anything?
The King is in the field. Okay, we know that the King refers to G‑d. What about the rest? What is the field? What does it mean that G‑d is in the field? And what am I supposed to do about it, if anything?
Tuning In
We spew fountains of information aimed at helping them grow and improve. It seems counterintuitive that we should stop talking and listen...
We spew fountains of information aimed at helping them grow and improve. It seems counterintuitive that we should stop talking and listen...
The entire world is a very narrow bridge, and the most important thing is not to be afraid at all
— Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
Print Magazine
What Is Alef? (A Point Above, a Point Below)
What is an alef?
A point above, a point below, and a line between.
Whatever we may understand of Him
is but an infinitesimal point above.
The only way we can join with Him
is as an infinitesmal point below.
And what empowers us to become this zero-point below
that resonates with the infinite-point above?
Our awe...
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