ב"ה
Shoftim 5768 - September 5, 2008
Seasons
A Brief History of Elul
On the 1st of Elul, Moses climbed Mount Sinai for a third forty-day stay--forty cosmic days which unleashed the power of teshuvah for all generations....
On the 1st of Elul, Moses climbed Mount Sinai for a third forty-day stay--forty cosmic days which unleashed the power of teshuvah for all generations....
Elul Observances in a Nutshell
Introspection and stocktaking, mercy and forgiveness, sounding horns and whispered psalms, prayer, charity and repentance . . .
Introspection and stocktaking, mercy and forgiveness, sounding horns and whispered psalms, prayer, charity and repentance . . .
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?
A Tzaddik’s Repentance
When the two pupils approached, they saw their master sitting in the snow, weeping and praying. They hurriedly departed from that place.
When the two pupils approached, they saw their master sitting in the snow, weeping and praying. They hurriedly departed from that place.
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
Living
High Heels and High Holidays
During services today, my three-year-old daughter ran into the shul, parading in my wife’s high-heeled shoes. She is presenting graphically what we are all trying to do emotionally and spiritually. She is working on elevating herself just a few inches.
During services today, my three-year-old daughter ran into the shul, parading in my wife’s high-heeled shoes. She is presenting graphically what we are all trying to do emotionally and spiritually. She is working on elevating herself just a few inches.
I Kept My Promise to Mama - Even in Auschwitz
Standing stoically in her usual regal manner she continued: "My dear children, when the Gestapo come and get us, I do not know what will be. One thing I ask of you. Please take care of each other."
Standing stoically in her usual regal manner she continued: "My dear children, when the Gestapo come and get us, I do not know what will be. One thing I ask of you. Please take care of each other."
Me? Special?
We have a tendency to focus on our imperfections. But how many of us are equally honest about our strengths?
We have a tendency to focus on our imperfections. But how many of us are equally honest about our strengths?
Bringing the Inside Out
My friends in recovery have a saying:"We are only as sick as our secrets.” I keep on hearing this, but I have a hard time accepting this idea. I have always wondered: After all, isn't it important to have some privacy?
My friends in recovery have a saying:"We are only as sick as our secrets.” I keep on hearing this, but I have a hard time accepting this idea. I have always wondered: After all, isn't it important to have some privacy?
Parshah
The Parshah 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.
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!
We Are One
Some folks think of people much as we think of cars on a highway: each with its own origin and destination, relating to one other only to negotiate lane changes and left-hand turns. But people are not cars.
Some folks think of people much as we think of cars on a highway: each with its own origin and destination, relating to one other only to negotiate lane changes and left-hand turns. But people are not cars.
Manipulation
The Torah describes man as the "tree of the fields." I've personally never understood the analogy. What character traits or growth-ring patterns can a tree achieve to compare to ourselves?
The Torah describes man as the "tree of the fields." I've personally never understood the analogy. What character traits or growth-ring patterns can a tree achieve to compare to ourselves?
An Impartial Judge
Can a bribed judge be impartial? How about if the “bribe” was given on the condition that the judge issues a fair verdict—no matter whom it will favor?
Can a bribed judge be impartial? How about if the “bribe” was given on the condition that the judge issues a fair verdict—no matter whom it will favor?
Resisting the Pressure
The asheira was a beautiful tree which was so enchanting that people used to worship it...
The asheira was a beautiful tree which was so enchanting that people used to worship it...
Dying for Life
The biblical laws of war have much to teach us about the routines of life in every age
The biblical laws of war have much to teach us about the routines of life in every age
The Jewish Woman
The Gift of the Present
When they clapped after the lullaby, it reminded me of the sound of dirt being shoveled over a grave...
When they clapped after the lullaby, it reminded me of the sound of dirt being shoveled over a grave...
Hand in Hand
The collective vessel of the people of Israel is an organism unto itself, that has its own life path and journey from birth to maturity . . .
The collective vessel of the people of Israel is an organism unto itself, that has its own life path and journey from birth to maturity . . .
In the Shadow of the Tractor
Despite the distance of a few feet between us, we are worlds apart. A few meters away, ominous even at rest, sits a parked bulldozer. It casts an enormous shadow over the playground. I look at the mother, the bulldozer. The mother. The bulldozer...
Despite the distance of a few feet between us, we are worlds apart. A few meters away, ominous even at rest, sits a parked bulldozer. It casts an enormous shadow over the playground. I look at the mother, the bulldozer. The mother. The bulldozer...
I am to my beloved, and my beloved is to me
— Song of Songs 6:3
Print Magazine
When the Creator came to create the human being, Truth said, "Do not create him, for he is full of lies.
Kindness said, "Create him, for he will do acts of kindness."
What did the Creator do? He cast Truth earthward, and created the human being.
That is why it says, "Truth will sprout from the earth."
—Midrash Rabba
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