ב"ה
Tazria-Metzora 5770 - April 16, 2010
New Moshiach & Redemption Site
Into a world where time was seen as a series of endlessly repeating cycles, Judaism brought the idea that we are going somewhere. The idea of progress. The idea of resolution. The idea of the Moshiach (Messiah) and a Messianic Era.
How much do we know about this central Jewish belief?
Standing in the last days of the Jewish month of Nissan – the month in which it is said the Messianic Redemption will occur – we present to you a new, easy-to-navigate “Moshiach 101” site.
Find answers to questions like:
- Will we still have free choice?
- What role will Elijah the Prophet play?
- Will miracles become commonplace?
- What is the nature of the “new Torah” we will study?
- In what body will a reincarnated soul return?
- And what’s this about the battle of Gog and Magog?
And finally, what can we do to make all of this happen sooner?
May we very soon experience the coming of Moshiach firsthand!
Judaism
A Psychotherapist in Auschwitz
Realizing that the odds of his survival were small, Frankl had what he describes as "perhaps his deepest experience in the concentration camps"
Realizing that the odds of his survival were small, Frankl had what he describes as "perhaps his deepest experience in the concentration camps"
Are We Obsessed with Prohibitions?
A challenge was recently issued to me by a Jew who describes himself as “positively oriented.” The G-d of Torah, he maintains, is one of wrath, vengeance and prohibitions, whereas his G-d is filled with love...
A challenge was recently issued to me by a Jew who describes himself as “positively oriented.” The G-d of Torah, he maintains, is one of wrath, vengeance and prohibitions, whereas his G-d is filled with love...
What Do You Really Want?
The extraordinary message expressed by circumcision is what caused it to rise to the top of the list of rituals our enemies sought to eradicate time and again throughout our history. But what is this message?
The extraordinary message expressed by circumcision is what caused it to rise to the top of the list of rituals our enemies sought to eradicate time and again throughout our history. But what is this message?
Pirkei Avot: Ethics of the Fathers
Ethics of the Fathers is a tractate of the Mishna that details the Torah's views on ethics and interpersonal relationships. Enjoy insights, audio classes and stories on these fascinating topics.
Ethics of the Fathers is a tractate of the Mishna that details the Torah's views on ethics and interpersonal relationships. Enjoy insights, audio classes and stories on these fascinating topics.
Parshah
Four Reasons Why You Should Gossip
It is our patriotic duty. It’s all in the name of G-d. We don’t mess with tradition. And it’s much easier to put down others than to climb up yourself.
It is our patriotic duty. It’s all in the name of G-d. We don’t mess with tradition. And it’s much easier to put down others than to climb up yourself.
A Land Beyond Toys
Even if this life was here the whole time, if I just noticed it, then it is new...
Even if this life was here the whole time, if I just noticed it, then it is new...
Healing Hubris
Perhaps the metzora's isolation is not just for him to sense the distance from other people caused by gossip, but also to see how foolish a sense of superiority is...
Perhaps the metzora's isolation is not just for him to sense the distance from other people caused by gossip, but also to see how foolish a sense of superiority is...
The Gossiper and the Priest
I find the swing from inspiration and proactivity to be a lifelong dance. For a stretch of time I devoted most of my day to Torah study, surrounded by mentors who spoke the message of
G-d’s unity through their teachings and their conduct. And then it was over . . .
I find the swing from inspiration and proactivity to be a lifelong dance. For a stretch of time I devoted most of my day to Torah study, surrounded by mentors who spoke the message of
G-d’s unity through their teachings and their conduct. And then it was over . . .
Your Own Choice
Your Judaism, the fact of your being a Jew in the world today and having all those laws and traditions in your background--is this something you chose?
Your Judaism, the fact of your being a Jew in the world today and having all those laws and traditions in your background--is this something you chose?
Speak Nicely, but Clearly
"I went to a psychiatrist and he helped me solve my problem," said the compulsive shoplifter. "I don't feel guilty anymore"
"I went to a psychiatrist and he helped me solve my problem," said the compulsive shoplifter. "I don't feel guilty anymore"
Mirror, Mirror, On The Wall
"A person can sees every kind of blemish," rules the Talmud, "except for their own"
"A person can sees every kind of blemish," rules the Talmud, "except for their own"
The Last Creation
The Torah teaches that the human being the most superior of all creations. It also states that man is inferior to all other creatures. Both statements are correct...
The Torah teaches that the human being the most superior of all creations. It also states that man is inferior to all other creatures. Both statements are correct...
The Wonder That Is Woman
Everyone can become a “mother.” What comes naturally to the female half of creation can be learned and assimilated by all, and not only in giving birth to children, but in every one of life’s endeavors.
Everyone can become a “mother.” What comes naturally to the female half of creation can be learned and assimilated by all, and not only in giving birth to children, but in every one of life’s endeavors.
The Parshah in a Nutshell
The dynamics of birth and the covenant of circumcision, the power of speech and the plague of whiteness, contaminating blood and purifying pools of water.
The dynamics of birth and the covenant of circumcision, the power of speech and the plague of whiteness, contaminating blood and purifying pools of water.
Jewish Stories
Visit From a Holy Man
On those rare occasions when we could coax my mother to speak about her war experiences, she would always begin with a wistful, nostalgic depiction of her very typical, very normal childhood. "The world was different when I was little," she would croon.
On those rare occasions when we could coax my mother to speak about her war experiences, she would always begin with a wistful, nostalgic depiction of her very typical, very normal childhood. "The world was different when I was little," she would croon.
A Water-Carrier Named Shmuel
Late in the afternoon, the Rebbe emerged from his room and instructed that the circumcision commence. The only clue to his delay was the mysterious sentence that passed his lips, "Ay... the Polotzk burial society..."
Late in the afternoon, the Rebbe emerged from his room and instructed that the circumcision commence. The only clue to his delay was the mysterious sentence that passed his lips, "Ay... the Polotzk burial society..."
Moshiach in the Air
Rabbi Mendel went to his window and sniffed the air. "No," he said, "unfortunately, the redeemer has not yet arrived"
Rabbi Mendel went to his window and sniffed the air. "No," he said, "unfortunately, the redeemer has not yet arrived"
The Clock
All throught the night, whenever this clock sounded the hour, the guest leapt from his bed and danced for joy. "it's quite an ordinary clock," said the surprised innkeeper
All throught the night, whenever this clock sounded the hour, the guest leapt from his bed and danced for joy. "it's quite an ordinary clock," said the surprised innkeeper
Jewish History
In the First Place, Go Over!
The life and teachings of Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, the fourth Chabad Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Maharash
The life and teachings of Rabbi Shmuel of Lubavitch, the fourth Chabad Rebbe, known as the Rebbe Maharash
Rabbi Chaim Vital
After Rabbi Isaac Luria passed away, at the young age of thirty-eight years, Rabbi Chayim became the leader of the Kabbalists and continued to teach what he had learned from his great master...
After Rabbi Isaac Luria passed away, at the young age of thirty-eight years, Rabbi Chayim became the leader of the Kabbalists and continued to teach what he had learned from his great master...
Living
Batting 1.000
The 6’1” attorney with a kippah not only helps his players negotiate contracts and develop marketing and public relations strategy, he also plays other significant roles on their playing field – that of a shrink, rabbi, and watchful big brother...
The 6’1” attorney with a kippah not only helps his players negotiate contracts and develop marketing and public relations strategy, he also plays other significant roles on their playing field – that of a shrink, rabbi, and watchful big brother...
Incarceration As a Modality of Punishment and Rehabilitation
Under America’s criminal justice system, we have incarcerated more than two million of our fellow citizens in federal, state and county facilities. In contrast, the concept of prison does not appear anywhere in Judaism...
Under America’s criminal justice system, we have incarcerated more than two million of our fellow citizens in federal, state and county facilities. In contrast, the concept of prison does not appear anywhere in Judaism...
When Your Children Delete You...
If you were a loving parent and feel as if you've been thrown out in the cold, you are, no doubt, grief-stricken and bewildered, wondering how this could happen
If you were a loving parent and feel as if you've been thrown out in the cold, you are, no doubt, grief-stricken and bewildered, wondering how this could happen
Empty Nest
At a crowded family table, nobody will notice if Mom and Dad don't have much to say to each other. Yet at a table set for two, there is nobody else's noise to hide behind...
At a crowded family table, nobody will notice if Mom and Dad don't have much to say to each other. Yet at a table set for two, there is nobody else's noise to hide behind...
I can’t. He can. Let Him.
G-d is saying,"Just as my love for your ancestors compelled me to schlep them out, so too, my love for you can be trusted to schlep you out of the narrow places of your own thinking."
G-d is saying,"Just as my love for your ancestors compelled me to schlep them out, so too, my love for you can be trusted to schlep you out of the narrow places of your own thinking."
The Jewish Woman
Transformation Through Fear
When we incorporate restraint into our lives (whether its origin is fear, awe, respect or opposition), we counterintuitively open another realm of possibility, and actually enhance our loving connections . . .
When we incorporate restraint into our lives (whether its origin is fear, awe, respect or opposition), we counterintuitively open another realm of possibility, and actually enhance our loving connections . . .
Eating Disorders
Occasionally my eight year old daughter will pat her round little belly and ask me if I think that she is fat. She is a little chubbier than some of her friends. Should I put her on a diet?
Occasionally my eight year old daughter will pat her round little belly and ask me if I think that she is fat. She is a little chubbier than some of her friends. Should I put her on a diet?
Riding Out the Storm
I don’t give into these explosions of emotions. But to my shock, dismay and even guiltl, they keep on coming
I don’t give into these explosions of emotions. But to my shock, dismay and even guiltl, they keep on coming
Such is the liar's fate: even when he speaks the truth he is not believed
— Avot d'Rabbi Nathan
Print Magazine
Due to the limitations of your reality, some of your best friends can enter only incognito.
In fact, the really big ones sometimes sneak in disguised as ugly monsters and vicious enemies. Otherwise, the guards at the gate would never permit them entry.
These are the events optimists call “blessings in disguise.”
Here’...
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