Editorial & Commentary

Is your friend fuming because you disappointed them for the 100th time? Are you running late again? Did you tell an itsy-bitsy “white lie”?

Aren’t we all looking for greater spirituality in our lives?

Anyone with any knowledge about the natural way of trees would say it should have died.

As my daughter grows and reaches new milestones, I cannot help but watch my reactions to her with a kind of curiosity.

By improving my relationship with myself, there is a ripple effect in my home and an improvement in my relationships with others.

We’re given a message through advertising and social media that you can or should do it all. We’re being sold that success is doing everything right, and, of course, doing all that as you appear beautiful and calm.

Yelling causes damage, irreparable damage, to the environment, to our relationships, to our psyches and nervous systems, and to our mental and physical health.

When I follow my inner voice—what I call “a whisper from G‑d”—without question or hesitation, I never know where it will lead.

We may not remind people of their past misdeeds, insult someone, tease them, bully them, threaten them or in any way use words to cause them pain or anguish. Even hinting at something that might cause them pain is not allowed.

We live in a youth culture that idolizes youth and prizes innovation. Judaism, however, while recognizing the benefits of youth, vaunts the wisdom and experience of old age, and urges us to respect and listen to the older generation.

Loving yourself and knowing your strengths are vital to being a successful person. Here's how to do it.

The Torah instructs us to be kind to animals, and to treat them with respect and consideration because they are creations of G‑d.

We’ve all heard the expression, “Funny you don’t look Jewish,” or “I knew you were Jewish by just looking at you.” Jews seem to have internal radar for identifying one another. It isn’t just a Semitic appearance or the Je ne sais quoi of Jewishness. It is, actually, the neshama—the Jewish “soul” radiating outwards that we recognize in each other.

We need to plug in. We need to recharge our spiritual batteries. What good is our life and our actions in this world if they are devoid of spiritual energy?

The natural process that forms pearls is something many of us can relate to.

There are two ways to live life: focus on what you lack (and you’ll be miserable) or focus on what you have (and you’ll be happy). It’s as simple as that.