Editorial & Commentary

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.

Modern women feel pulled in too many directions.

I usually focus more on the more powerful nuclear reactions, where there is a very evident immediate effect. But who is to say that these subtle moments of grace are not at least as powerful, if not more so?

If the pragmatic circumstances of Shalo’s life gave me pause, the physical crises he had endured and wondrously overcome from birth onward completely bowled me over.

Life is hard. So many painful, disturbing and distressing events occur to us and to the world around us. Can we really be joyful in this kind of environment?

Did you know that there are no outright jokes about a rebbetzin? Are rebbetzins taboo?

So many times in my life I had planned out my future, and so many times I had been handed the unexpected. It struck me at that moment that I was experiencing the hand of G‑d literally reaching into my life and changing the course of my future.

With a little education—and a lot of help, support and advice from friends and others in my life—I decided to take the kosher plunge.

What is that smell I love . . . the smell that cries out to my soul? It’s the smell of Shabbat cooking, whether it’s matzah-ball soup or Moroccan fish, cholent, t’fina or kibbe hamda. It’s that smell of something special and familiar. The smell of Shabbat. The smell of home.

To be Jewish is to understand that there is much to do, that time is fleeting, and that each day affords us the priceless gift of life.

The trait of a good eye is not just about seeing others with a good eye, but about seeing life in general with a good eye.

I have questions. I’m still intrigued. But I am worried that the criminal charges will close that door. Why? Because I might see you as “other” and relate more to the “not me” part of your story.

My soul is awakened, as if it could hear someone calling its name. It stirs slowly at first and then begins to become fully alive, as if it finally has a purpose.

What, if any, possible knowledge of their Jewish heritage or ancestors was transmitted to them? What did they know about being Jews, and did this have anything to do with choosing Jewish wives, or was that simply a “coincidence”?

Judaism offers prayers to say for every occasion. But a few prayers said by women offer a distinct path to communicate with the Divine.

Aware I was breaking Shabbat, even as I continued to exercise this fanatical and futile habit, I was bombarded by thoughts like “It’s too late,” “It’s done,” “Why stop now?”

Here are five strategies that have worked in our family, helping us to banish cynicism and encouraging us to look at the world in a more cheerful, upbeat manner.

Most of us are largely worried and secretive about our finances.

You don’t need to be a therapist to be able to sit quietly with a person in pain and just be there.

The animal laws in the Torah suggest that animals are intelligent—maybe even more than we know they are.

I’m used to digging myself out of the foxhole through the help of friends, family, inspirational words of wisdom and mentors, ad infinitum.

Usually, when I realize what good has come from my life because of Judaism, I feel better about it and I get back to the place where I want to be.

Two people might have the same exact difficulty, but for one person it is a mediocre challenge, perhaps a level 5 test, while for another it may be excruciatingly difficult, a level 10 test.

While it’s commendable to work on developing our positive quality traits, it’s also important to our self-worth to recognize that we are whole and worthy beings with all sorts of emotions.

I was due to give birth in less than a week, and I still didn’t know the exact name to give our about-to-be-born son.

What was supposed to be a cruise full of packaged meals and solo praying became one of the most moving, inspiring and amazing Shabbat experiences of my life.

I looked into my purse and saw that I had about 12 dollars, which was over 100 dollars short of what I needed.

Accept. Tolerate. Be open. Yet at the same time: Care.

When a challenge seems too daunting to confront, some people simply choose to avoid it. The Rebbe Maharash, Rabbi Shmuel, takes a different approach.

Especially during wars or trying times, people question, “Isn’t it scary to raise a family there?”

Have you ever made great plans that went down the drain?

“Lady, I hate to break it to you, but it sounds like you’re having a conversation with yourself. Why bother?!”

In this world, we are given tools, many of them. We have medicines and machines, we have diets and therapies. All these tools, they are given to us to help us, like glasses for poor vision.

Peace, love and harmony. Coexistence and community. These rosy ideals are easy to dream and sing about, but so much harder to achieve in everyday life.

Which experience do you think is more elevated—dancing up a storm at a wedding, or talking to G‑d during your morning prayers? Savoring a fresh chocolate doughnut on Chanukah, or delving into a book of Torah?

I decided to visit a renowned raw-food healer and see what she thought about my passion for fruit.

These moments captured the essence of our people--the faith, the hope and the unity.

It's four o’clock in the morning when my alarm goes off.

You follow me around all day, watching how you can undo me. And undo me you do.