ב"ה
Shelach 5770 - June 4, 2010
Living
Big Lies about Jews and Israel
When did the truth become something not to delve into and find, but to debate and fight over like a boxing match?
When did the truth become something not to delve into and find, but to debate and fight over like a boxing match?
Love the Stranger
More powerful than all his pain was the refined light shining out of this young but old man. He was simply an exquisite human being. With a special charm, clearly the result of years of struggle, he had emerged with a very rare type of warmth...
More powerful than all his pain was the refined light shining out of this young but old man. He was simply an exquisite human being. With a special charm, clearly the result of years of struggle, he had emerged with a very rare type of warmth...
Does BP Get Points for Effort?
If it's true that it's the effort that counts, then BP should get a Congressional medal of honor. So, is what we've been told all along true, that effort is the main thing?
If it's true that it's the effort that counts, then BP should get a Congressional medal of honor. So, is what we've been told all along true, that effort is the main thing?
Eat, Pray, Facebook
Leave a message in my inbox, send me a virtual holiday card, graffiti my wall. Flip through my photo albums for your entertainment and, should you still feel bored, my journal is available for midday reading. We seem to wear our persona on our screens, leaving almost nothing to the imagination...
Leave a message in my inbox, send me a virtual holiday card, graffiti my wall. Flip through my photo albums for your entertainment and, should you still feel bored, my journal is available for midday reading. We seem to wear our persona on our screens, leaving almost nothing to the imagination...
Staying in the Calm Zone
if you did not grow up with people who were so proactively working on their character traits, then you may have learned that the way to deal with stress is to slam doors, scream angrily, eat junk food, or freeze in depressive silence...
if you did not grow up with people who were so proactively working on their character traits, then you may have learned that the way to deal with stress is to slam doors, scream angrily, eat junk food, or freeze in depressive silence...
The Peace Flotilla
From every site, from every page, from every location, I behold a name I adore and believe in: "Israel… Israel… Israel… Israel…" The Holy Land, homeland of our ancestors and our own as well, is once again on the lips and pens of every people on earth.
From every site, from every page, from every location, I behold a name I adore and believe in: "Israel… Israel… Israel… Israel…" The Holy Land, homeland of our ancestors and our own as well, is once again on the lips and pens of every people on earth.
Each According to His Way
Oh, we might have one or two really easy children – children who were born sunny side up and barely need guidance from us. But many of us have children on the opposite end of the spectrum...
Oh, we might have one or two really easy children – children who were born sunny side up and barely need guidance from us. But many of us have children on the opposite end of the spectrum...
Chassidic Thought
A Story About a Prince
"Tell us a story, Grandpa!" begged the children. "Tell us a story about a prince..."
"Tell us a story, Grandpa!" begged the children. "Tell us a story about a prince..."
"Father, Father…"
I heard the voice of my 3 year old daughter Chanah, may she live, calling to me: "Father, father, where are you…? Father, father, answer me…", repeating her call twice and three times.
I heard the voice of my 3 year old daughter Chanah, may she live, calling to me: "Father, father, where are you…? Father, father, answer me…", repeating her call twice and three times.
How Truth Got a Life
The other morning, I woke up to discover a little truth. At least, it seemed like a truth to me, but I wanted to make sure. I figured a good philosopher could help me with that . . .
The other morning, I woke up to discover a little truth. At least, it seemed like a truth to me, but I wanted to make sure. I figured a good philosopher could help me with that . . .
The Jewish Woman
Sharing the World's Beauty
She turned round quickly and her flippers sent a cloud of tiny bubbles towards my mask. When they cleared I saw her signaling frantically: she clutched her throat a few times and then held her hand out towards me. The bubbles that were supposed to be drifting out of her mouth piece were no longer there...
She turned round quickly and her flippers sent a cloud of tiny bubbles towards my mask. When they cleared I saw her signaling frantically: she clutched her throat a few times and then held her hand out towards me. The bubbles that were supposed to be drifting out of her mouth piece were no longer there...
Starting the Day with Thank You
Whereas I used to groan as I glanced out the window into the semi-darkness, lately I have found a way to make waking up a more joyful experience, even when it happens at 5am.
Whereas I used to groan as I glanced out the window into the semi-darkness, lately I have found a way to make waking up a more joyful experience, even when it happens at 5am.
What the Men of Distinction Couldn’t Fathom
What were the calculations of ten of the spies that caused them to err so profoundly? And what did the women of Israel intuitively understand that these great “men of distinction” failed to comprehend?
What were the calculations of ten of the spies that caused them to err so profoundly? And what did the women of Israel intuitively understand that these great “men of distinction” failed to comprehend?
Challah: a Step-by-Step Guide
In its more widely-known usage, challah refers to the two loaves of bread that form the core of the Shabbat meal. But in its more basic, biblical meaning, challah is the piece of dough that is separated and consecrated to G-d every time we bake bread
In its more widely-known usage, challah refers to the two loaves of bread that form the core of the Shabbat meal. But in its more basic, biblical meaning, challah is the piece of dough that is separated and consecrated to G-d every time we bake bread
Jewish Stories
Father's Day - Part III
"Every father wants his children to grow up and be better than him. I just didn't expect it so soon," he said. Solomon could not see his face. It was framed in shadows. His father bent down and kissed Solomon on his forehead...
"Every father wants his children to grow up and be better than him. I just didn't expect it so soon," he said. Solomon could not see his face. It was framed in shadows. His father bent down and kissed Solomon on his forehead...
A Whisper in Time
As the procession approached the location for the chupah they were encountered by a solitary Jew in a wagon, a stranger that no one recognized....
As the procession approached the location for the chupah they were encountered by a solitary Jew in a wagon, a stranger that no one recognized....
When the Town Robber Gave Charity
As she was washing, a known local robber and swindler swiped the ring and ran off... She shrieked that the robber just made off with her ring. "It is worth 100 coins!"
As she was washing, a known local robber and swindler swiped the ring and ran off... She shrieked that the robber just made off with her ring. "It is worth 100 coins!"
A Tale of Two Cows
Many of the Baal Shem Tov's ways seemed strange to an outsider, but his disciples knew that in the end -- even if it took years -- all would be understood
Many of the Baal Shem Tov's ways seemed strange to an outsider, but his disciples knew that in the end -- even if it took years -- all would be understood
Parshah
Belief in Yourself
They’d stumbled into a surreal and morbid nightmare, it seemed. A successful offensive, whether by land or sea, seemed fantastical—to everyone in the reconnaissance unit, that is, but Caleb and Joshua...
They’d stumbled into a surreal and morbid nightmare, it seemed. A successful offensive, whether by land or sea, seemed fantastical—to everyone in the reconnaissance unit, that is, but Caleb and Joshua...
The Evil Elitists
Moses was worried that his group of leaders and “visionaries” would fall into the alluring trap of elitism. It wasn’t a prophecy—it was just a hunch. What he did know was that Joshua would succeed him as leader of the Jewish people...
Moses was worried that his group of leaders and “visionaries” would fall into the alluring trap of elitism. It wasn’t a prophecy—it was just a hunch. What he did know was that Joshua would succeed him as leader of the Jewish people...
Mission Possible
The spies brought back an honest report. G-d was unhappy with its contents. Is it fair to punish someone for expressing an honest opinion?
The spies brought back an honest report. G-d was unhappy with its contents. Is it fair to punish someone for expressing an honest opinion?
Toddling
Think back twenty, forty, sixty or eighty years, to the day that you learned how to walk. What you sensed but could not understand then, will tell you much about what you understand but cannot sense today
Think back twenty, forty, sixty or eighty years, to the day that you learned how to walk. What you sensed but could not understand then, will tell you much about what you understand but cannot sense today
On Life's Terms
Like the scouts, we were tragically mistaken. G‑d desires that He be found in reality. Whether or not we are up to the task is irrelevant. It is not on our power that we rely, but on His...
Like the scouts, we were tragically mistaken. G‑d desires that He be found in reality. Whether or not we are up to the task is irrelevant. It is not on our power that we rely, but on His...
Parshah in a Nutshell
The twelve spies return with giant fruit, frightening the Jewish people, who complain and receive a severe punishment. Laws of challah and tzitzit. A man publically desecrates Shabbat, and is put to death.
The twelve spies return with giant fruit, frightening the Jewish people, who complain and receive a severe punishment. Laws of challah and tzitzit. A man publically desecrates Shabbat, and is put to death.
Mitzvahs & Traditions
The Mezuzah
It’s not a Jewish doorbell. It’s a home security device called a mezuzah. The software inside this gadget is a scroll with the words beginning, “Hear O Israel, the L‑rd is our G‑d; the L‑rd is one” . . .
It’s not a Jewish doorbell. It’s a home security device called a mezuzah. The software inside this gadget is a scroll with the words beginning, “Hear O Israel, the L‑rd is our G‑d; the L‑rd is one” . . .
Tallit and Tzitzit
This is no fringe mitzvah! The tallit and tzitzit serves as constant reminders of our obligations to G-d and our fellows.
This is no fringe mitzvah! The tallit and tzitzit serves as constant reminders of our obligations to G-d and our fellows.
When you come into the land which G-d is giving you... You shall take of the first of the fruit of the earth... and put into a basket. And you shall go to the place which G-d will choose to have His Name dwell there...
— Deuteronomy 26:1-2
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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