ב"ה

Vaeira 5768 - January 4, 2008

Judaism
Talking With G‑d

The essence of prayer has little to do with its content. This also explains why we pray when all is well.
Handle With Care

We were a group of five women, eager to fulfill this mitzvah. This was my first time and I was a tad anxious. But this was something I had wanted to volunteer for, so I came with a positive attitude.
A Joker’s Shabbat

As might be expected, Hershel the Hilarious was the most popular guy in Mosayov among the idle, the crude, the silly and the drinkers . . .
The Jewish Woman
Baby Steps

Some of my friends thought I was becoming "religious." That was a good one, considering I always thought an observant Jew was someone who noticed that the carpet needed a cleaning...
Mothering After Miscarriage

Now that I have been granted the child that I prayed for, and he does have special needs, I am finding that specialness more than I bargained for...
Parshah
The Parshah in a Nutshell
G-d promises to redeem the Israelites from their oppression. Moses and Aaron repeatedly demand of Pharaoh to let the nation leave. The Egyptians experience the first seven plagues: blood, frogs, lice, wild animals, pestilence, boils and hail.
Ten Ways to Destroy Your Life

Each of the 10 Plagues is another destructive trait for us to overcome and eradicate.
Two Rabbis One Shul

Sound like double trouble? Over-employment? The latest synagogue sitcom? Probably; but Jewish history is never probable.
Throw Small Stones

“Why does he hate me so much?” I remember hearing my own grandfather say of someone. “I never did him any favors!”
Is G‑d Vengeful?

So this is the famous Torah portion where we read about the beginning of the end of the Egyptians. Why all the violence?
An Environment Issue

Why did Moses insist on the Jews serving G-d in the desert?
What Is G-d's Answer?

Last week's Parshah concluded with the epochal exchange between Moses and G-d over the mystery of human suffering, in which Moses protested, "My G-d, why have You done evil to this people?" The opening verses of this week's Parsha contain -- we assume -- G-d's response. What does He say?
Chassidic History
Fire and Water

Which is it-- "O all who thirst, come for water" or "My words aret like fire"? Obviously, we much prefer to consume our studies than to be consumed by them...
News
College Students Help Out Israeli Victims of Terror

At the University of Arizona and Dartmouth College, students who went on birthright israel trips with their campus-based Chabad Houses decided to do something to help Israeli victims of terror.
What is an Alef? A dot above, a dot below, and a line in-between... The Alef of Torah is the 'Yud' above (G-d), a 'yud' below (the Jew), and a line of faith that joins them
— Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi