ב"ה
Lech-Lecha 5770 - October 30, 2009
Living
Can You See the Rainbow?
Think about it: our behavior is our feedback to G‑d, our response to His gift of life, as clouds are earth's feedback (in the form of vapor) to the warmth of the sun...
Think about it: our behavior is our feedback to G‑d, our response to His gift of life, as clouds are earth's feedback (in the form of vapor) to the warmth of the sun...
A Heavenly Show
Some of the firecrackers made loud swooshing noises as they exploded. Others were virtually silent. The firecrackers that crackled the loudest didn't necessarily produce the brightest results...
Some of the firecrackers made loud swooshing noises as they exploded. Others were virtually silent. The firecrackers that crackled the loudest didn't necessarily produce the brightest results...
Jews Down Under
The first Jews to arrive were about 1,000 convicts, who landed on the Aussie shores between 1788 and 1852. Few of them were violent, and most were shoemakers, tailors, watchmakers, grooms, ostrich-feather manufacturers, silk-glove makers...
The first Jews to arrive were about 1,000 convicts, who landed on the Aussie shores between 1788 and 1852. Few of them were violent, and most were shoemakers, tailors, watchmakers, grooms, ostrich-feather manufacturers, silk-glove makers...
She Won't Commit
My girlfriend of two years isn't sure she wants to get married. She just says she feels "it" hasn't clicked. I felt a click a long time ago and would very much like to marry and spend my life with her. What can I do?
My girlfriend of two years isn't sure she wants to get married. She just says she feels "it" hasn't clicked. I felt a click a long time ago and would very much like to marry and spend my life with her. What can I do?
I Can't Stop Nagging!
I badger my husband for everything, from the tie he chooses to wear, to the way he talks to me, to the odd hours he keeps. Of course, my criticism doesn't help anyone. How can I learn to bite my tongue?
I badger my husband for everything, from the tie he chooses to wear, to the way he talks to me, to the odd hours he keeps. Of course, my criticism doesn't help anyone. How can I learn to bite my tongue?
Should Parents Apologize to their Children?
There are many parents who present themselves to their kids as if perfect. Such parents never apologize for anything because, in their opinion, they are never wrong. At the same time, they may be very hard on their children...
There are many parents who present themselves to their kids as if perfect. Such parents never apologize for anything because, in their opinion, they are never wrong. At the same time, they may be very hard on their children...
Jewish Stories
Septic Sam
Rabbi Levi looked down at the old man and sighed. It was sad to come to this, he thought, dying all alone in a hospital room, with no family or friends to give testimony to the life he led.
Rabbi Levi looked down at the old man and sighed. It was sad to come to this, he thought, dying all alone in a hospital room, with no family or friends to give testimony to the life he led.
The Nazi Accomplice in the Circumcision
The woman seemed oblivious to my words. "A knife," she repeated. "I must have a knife. Now. Before it is too late"
The woman seemed oblivious to my words. "A knife," she repeated. "I must have a knife. Now. Before it is too late"
A Business Proposal
I returned to my compartment in a state of confusion. The last thing I had expected from the Rebbe was a business tip
I returned to my compartment in a state of confusion. The last thing I had expected from the Rebbe was a business tip
Judaism
Evolution and Its Moral Consequences
It's more than a question of which theory or theology is more convincing. Beliefs have consequences
It's more than a question of which theory or theology is more convincing. Beliefs have consequences
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
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.
Parshah In Depth
A summary and overview of the week's Torah portion with selected readings from the midrash and commentaries
A summary and overview of the week's Torah portion with selected readings from the midrash and commentaries
Jew: Noun or Verb?
Wouldn't the Biblical narrative flow better if we knew a little more about Abraham, its main character? Why was he singled out for a resettlement mission that promised huge dividends? What had he done to merit fathering G‑d's chosen nation?
Wouldn't the Biblical narrative flow better if we knew a little more about Abraham, its main character? Why was he singled out for a resettlement mission that promised huge dividends? What had he done to merit fathering G‑d's chosen nation?
Trust and Respect
Abraham’s plan would effectively remove himself from Pharaoh’s hit list . . . and make Sarah available for Pharaoh’s hedonistic abuse! Talk about a lack of chivalry! Is this Abraham, the first Jewish husband and the ultimate mentch?
Abraham’s plan would effectively remove himself from Pharaoh’s hit list . . . and make Sarah available for Pharaoh’s hedonistic abuse! Talk about a lack of chivalry! Is this Abraham, the first Jewish husband and the ultimate mentch?
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
A Journey with an Unknown Destination
The roadmap leading us on or spiritual journey has very precise directions. The only thing missing from the directions is the destination.
The roadmap leading us on or spiritual journey has very precise directions. The only thing missing from the directions is the destination.
The Three Journeys of Abraham
What drives a man to leave his “land, his birthplace, and his father’s house” for an unknown destination? Yet driven we are, in search of something more than what our parents, teachers--indeed our very nature and genes--have to offer.
What drives a man to leave his “land, his birthplace, and his father’s house” for an unknown destination? Yet driven we are, in search of something more than what our parents, teachers--indeed our very nature and genes--have to offer.
Seasons
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.
Jewish Mother's Day
The 11th of Cheshvan, the day of passing of our matriarch Rachel, is truly the Jewish Mother's Day...
The 11th of Cheshvan, the day of passing of our matriarch Rachel, is truly the Jewish Mother's Day...
Should Jews Celebrate Halloween?
I know its origins aren't very "Jewish," but I'm worried that my kids will feel left out if they can't go trick-n-treating in the neighborhood...
I know its origins aren't very "Jewish," but I'm worried that my kids will feel left out if they can't go trick-n-treating in the neighborhood...
The Jewish Woman
Jewish News
Jewish “Heroes” Finalists Announced
Organized by the umbrella organization of North American Jewish communities, the Jewish Communities Heroes contest asked rank-and-file Jews to nominate individuals who have positively affected the lives of others.
Organized by the umbrella organization of North American Jewish communities, the Jewish Communities Heroes contest asked rank-and-file Jews to nominate individuals who have positively affected the lives of others.
After 80 Years, Commentary Sees Light of Day
Drawn from a collection of scholarly thoughts penned more than 85 years ago, a recently published Torah commentary sheds light on the insights of a Russian-born Chasidic rabbi who earned a reputation as an erudite teacher, editor and expert on Jewish law.
Drawn from a collection of scholarly thoughts penned more than 85 years ago, a recently published Torah commentary sheds light on the insights of a Russian-born Chasidic rabbi who earned a reputation as an erudite teacher, editor and expert on Jewish law.
One who locks the doors of his courtyard and feasts and drinks with his children and wife on the festivals, but does not feed the poor and the embittered -- this is not the joy of mitzvah but the joy of his stomach
— Maimonides
Print Magazine
True peace is not a forced truce, not a homogenization of differences, not a common ground that abandons our home territories.
True peace is the oneness that sprouts from diversity, the beauty that emerges from a panorama of colors, strokes and textures, from the harmony of many instruments each playing a unique part, n...
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