Living Torah Archives

At the first possible opportunity, we begin teaching our young about their precious heritage. And while the obligation to educate our children only begins once they reach the age of five or six, there is much we can teach them even before then. More

At the first possible opportunity, we begin teaching our young about their precious heritage. And while the obligation to educate our children only begins once they reach the age of five or six, there is much we can teach them even before then.

It is a time honored custom among Jewish women to imbue their children, from the youngest age, with a deep appreciation for the gift they’ve been given. A practice that is sure to lay a strong foundation for their future, as well that of the Jewish people.

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Every child has natural born traits, some positive, some negative. As the child grows and develops, it is the parent’s sacred duty to reinforce the positive ones, and address the negative ones. More

Every child has natural born traits, some positive, some negative. As the child grows and develops, it is the parent’s sacred duty to reinforce the positive ones, and address the negative ones.

But how does one go about changing seemingly natural tendencies? The Torah guarantees us that even inborn traits can be overcome, provided one is ready to rise to the challenge.

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The names of the Jewish festivals and other dates on the Jewish calendar are all in Hebrew, the Holy Tongue. There is, however, one exception: The festival of Purim. More

The names of the Jewish festivals and other dates on the Jewish calendar are all in Hebrew, the Holy Tongue. There is, however, one exception: The festival of Purim.

Purim is named after the pur – the lot – not a Hebrew word, but one from the language of Ancient Persia, as the Scroll of Esther itself makes sure to point out. This emphasis on the mundaneness of the name Purim teaches an important lesson in the way a Jew should interact with his non-Jewish surroundings.

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Maimonides teaches that “genuine” repentance is when the “Knower of Secrets,” G-d himself, can attest that a person will never commit the same sin again. Yet practically, Jewish law judges a person only by his current, observable deeds and not by what he has in his heart, or what the future may hold. More

Maimonides teaches that “genuine” repentance is when the “Knower of Secrets,” G-d himself, can attest that a person will never commit the same sin again. Yet practically, Jewish law judges a person only by his current, observable deeds and not by what he has in his heart, or what the future may hold.

When it comes to repentance, there is no limit to how much a person can grow, yet even on its most superficial level, it has the power to redeem.

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Every child has natural inborn traits, some positive, some negative. These often become apparent in the earliest stages of childhood. It is the parent’s sacred duty to caution the child against the negative ones and to teach him discipline More

Every child has natural inborn traits, some positive, some negative. These often become apparent in the earliest stages of childhood. It is the parent’s sacred duty to caution the child against the negative ones and to teach him discipline, despite any protests by the child. The child will thank the parent for the rest of his life.

But how can one change inborn nature? And what if the child already grew up without discipline, or the discipline he was given had no effect on him?

G-d, in the Torah of Truth and the Torah of Life, guarantees every person that he can “choose life.” It may come easier to some children to learn discipline, while for others the challenge may be greater. But one thing is certain: if a specific tendency is harmful to one’s wellbeing – contrary to Torah’s commandment to “Guard your life very carefully,” then with the proper effort it can certainly be overcome.

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