ב"ה
Lech-Lecha 5769 - November 7, 2008
Living
Why Do We Send Our Children to School?
Kids have a right to know the objective of the hours they spend in school. Sadly, often the message they get is misleading.
Kids have a right to know the objective of the hours they spend in school. Sadly, often the message they get is misleading.
Sanctity in Bergen Belsen
Of the 6,000 girls who left left Auschwitz in the infamous 6-week "death march" to Bergen-Belsen, 400 survived. This is the story of one survivor
Of the 6,000 girls who left left Auschwitz in the infamous 6-week "death march" to Bergen-Belsen, 400 survived. This is the story of one survivor
Life's Detours
After exulting in a tranquil week surrounded by the simple beauty of nature, we were ready to plunge back into the onslaught of life, with renewed vigor. But apparently our van had a mind of its own...
After exulting in a tranquil week surrounded by the simple beauty of nature, we were ready to plunge back into the onslaught of life, with renewed vigor. But apparently our van had a mind of its own...
Chassidic Thought
“My Name is . . . and I am a Human Being”
Imagine asking a Jew, “Did you ever eat on Yom Kippur?” and he answers, “I felt hungry in my stomach.”
Imagine asking a Jew, “Did you ever eat on Yom Kippur?” and he answers, “I felt hungry in my stomach.”
The Last Jew
Where is the world’s most ordinary place? A fifteen days’ journey from Jerusalem, in a field on the banks of the Euphrates.
Where is the world’s most ordinary place? A fifteen days’ journey from Jerusalem, in a field on the banks of the Euphrates.
Do Jews Believe in Karma?
In ancient Egypt, it was called "ma'at," in Greek, "heimarmene" or "fate" and in Germanic, "wyrd." Basically, the idea is: You can't escape the system
In ancient Egypt, it was called "ma'at," in Greek, "heimarmene" or "fate" and in Germanic, "wyrd." Basically, the idea is: You can't escape the system
Parshah
The Parshah in a Nutshell
Abram travels to Canaan, Sarai is taken captive by Pharaoh, and Lot settles in the evil city of Sodom. G‑d promises the Land of Israel to Abram’s descendants. Ishmael is born, Abram becomes Abraham, Sarai becomes Sarah, and they are promised a son. Abraham circumcises himself.
Abram travels to Canaan, Sarai is taken captive by Pharaoh, and Lot settles in the evil city of Sodom. G‑d promises the Land of Israel to Abram’s descendants. Ishmael is born, Abram becomes Abraham, Sarai becomes Sarah, and they are promised a son. Abraham circumcises himself.
The Birth of Moral Selfhood
"Leave your land, your birthplace and your father's house, and go to the land I will show you." These words are among the most consequential in the history of mankind
"Leave your land, your birthplace and your father's house, and go to the land I will show you." These words are among the most consequential in the history of mankind
The Abraham Principle
On closer inspection, it seems more akin to ecology than to ethical monotheism... yet this one elegant idea developed by a child some 3,800 years ago, has transformed the world forever
On closer inspection, it seems more akin to ecology than to ethical monotheism... yet this one elegant idea developed by a child some 3,800 years ago, has transformed the world forever
Eagle or Teddy Bear?
Not only Teddy, but the One whom this nation pledges that it is under, has softened into someone cuddly to whom we intone pledges and sing that he bless us . . .
Not only Teddy, but the One whom this nation pledges that it is under, has softened into someone cuddly to whom we intone pledges and sing that he bless us . . .
Never Too Old to Travel
The information the Torah “neglects” to tell us regarding Abraham and Sarah’s youth teaches a lesson about our spiritual journey through life.
The information the Torah “neglects” to tell us regarding Abraham and Sarah’s youth teaches a lesson about our spiritual journey through life.
It's Been Done Before
Sometimes it can be frustrating being a Jew. No matter what you do, one of your grandfathers or grandmothers has already done it. How can one ever do anything original with such ancestors?
Sometimes it can be frustrating being a Jew. No matter what you do, one of your grandfathers or grandmothers has already done it. How can one ever do anything original with such ancestors?
The Third Millennium
Infancy, self-sufficiency and synthesis -- the story of mankind from the Garden of Eden to Noah’s ark to Mount Sinai.
Infancy, self-sufficiency and synthesis -- the story of mankind from the Garden of Eden to Noah’s ark to Mount Sinai.
The Jewish Woman
When and Where?
There are moments when she is very happy. She is happy in her spacious rooms, happy for the companionship. She calls me Mother now...
There are moments when she is very happy. She is happy in her spacious rooms, happy for the companionship. She calls me Mother now...
Jewish News
Campus Jewish Groups Highlight Cancer Awareness by Going Pink
The pink tablecloths and plates had never particularly caught her eye before, but by the time Raizy Rubin noticed the donations from a local party supply store, the color had a new significance.
The pink tablecloths and plates had never particularly caught her eye before, but by the time Raizy Rubin noticed the donations from a local party supply store, the color had a new significance.
From the time that G-d said to our father Abraham, "Go from your land..." and "Abraham went on, journeying southward", began the process of "birurim" -- of extracting the sparks of holiness that are scattered throughout the universe and buried within the material existence... By the decree of Divine providence, a person wanders about in his travels to those places where the sparks that are to be extracted by him await their redemption.
— Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch (1860-1920)
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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