ב"ה
Bo 5770 - January 22, 2010
Parshah
Reality is Perception
Nature undergoes fundamental changes in reaction to the solar cycle. With the lunar cycle, however, the only substantial change is in our perception
Nature undergoes fundamental changes in reaction to the solar cycle. With the lunar cycle, however, the only substantial change is in our perception
The Kabbalah of Evil
The Zohar teaches that the power to oppose G‑d comes conversely from G‑d himself
The Zohar teaches that the power to oppose G‑d comes conversely from G‑d himself
The Moon’s Humility
The Jewish nation seems small and weak, but this is actually the key to our greatness. It allows us to reflect G‑d’s quintessential light to the world.
The Jewish nation seems small and weak, but this is actually the key to our greatness. It allows us to reflect G‑d’s quintessential light to the world.
Trapped? Not Trapped!
Is it fair to punish Pharaoh, if his refusal to recognize G‑d is forced upon him -- by G‑d Himself? Doesn't G‑d grant free will?
Is it fair to punish Pharaoh, if his refusal to recognize G‑d is forced upon him -- by G‑d Himself? Doesn't G‑d grant free will?
A Calculated Leap of Faith
Just imagine: Each morning when they woke up they were forced to look at their ex-deity—and then look themselves in the eye and ask whether or not they were ready to make this huge transition....
Just imagine: Each morning when they woke up they were forced to look at their ex-deity—and then look themselves in the eye and ask whether or not they were ready to make this huge transition....
Liberating Your Child
Do we dismiss our child's issues as insignificant? Do we reassure him that this "little" incident will pass, without validating what he is experiencing, in this moment?
Do we dismiss our child's issues as insignificant? Do we reassure him that this "little" incident will pass, without validating what he is experiencing, in this moment?
The Parshah in a Nutshell
G-d commands the first mitzvah: the calendar. The final three plagues are visited about the Egyptians: locusts, darkness and death of the firstborn. Pharaoh finally cracks and sends the Jewish people running. The holiday of Passover and the Passover offering are introduced.
G-d commands the first mitzvah: the calendar. The final three plagues are visited about the Egyptians: locusts, darkness and death of the firstborn. Pharaoh finally cracks and sends the Jewish people running. The holiday of Passover and the Passover offering are introduced.
Living
How Solid Is The Ground We Stand On?
For many a person of faith, the earthquake triggered a personal spiritual upheaval. A tragedy of such unthinkable proportions raises theological questions. Why does G-d allow such suffering?
For many a person of faith, the earthquake triggered a personal spiritual upheaval. A tragedy of such unthinkable proportions raises theological questions. Why does G-d allow such suffering?
Praying for Baby Aliza
In North Miami Beach, Florida, on August 23, 2007, a family barbecue was transformed from simple summer fun to a catastrophic event which would permanently alter the lives of the Schwab family...
In North Miami Beach, Florida, on August 23, 2007, a family barbecue was transformed from simple summer fun to a catastrophic event which would permanently alter the lives of the Schwab family...
LIFE: Linking Intelligence, Feeling, and Emotion
In reality, the seed of pain becomes the seed for growth. When you discard the pain, you throw away the information it can give you...
In reality, the seed of pain becomes the seed for growth. When you discard the pain, you throw away the information it can give you...
What If I Don't Like My Kids?
Although parents don't like to say this aloud, it's a fact that they sometimes don't like their children...
Although parents don't like to say this aloud, it's a fact that they sometimes don't like their children...
Jewish Stories
Heshy with His Hand Out
Michael had spent those precious two days moping around his heavily mortgaged home, dwelling on the millions he'd lost in the stock market the preceding Thursday...
Michael had spent those precious two days moping around his heavily mortgaged home, dwelling on the millions he'd lost in the stock market the preceding Thursday...
The Rusty Penny
It seems that this stingy man, despite his considerable wealth, was loath to share his blessings, no matter how worthy or urgent the cause. Rabbis and beggars alike avoided his home.
It seems that this stingy man, despite his considerable wealth, was loath to share his blessings, no matter how worthy or urgent the cause. Rabbis and beggars alike avoided his home.
A Soldier’s Blessing
I was at my father’s side in the empty prep room. The room was silent; just the two of us. Suddenly—this could happen only in Israel—someone swung open the door and jabbed his head in. “I’m looking for my friend . . .”
I was at my father’s side in the empty prep room. The room was silent; just the two of us. Suddenly—this could happen only in Israel—someone swung open the door and jabbed his head in. “I’m looking for my friend . . .”
Chassidic Thought
The Moon and Us
To an ancient Greek or a Hindu, passive stillness is masculine, activity and motion are feminine. To a Taoist, action is masculine and passiveness is feminine. In other words, if it is a virtue it is masculine. The Jew turns the pyramid on its head
To an ancient Greek or a Hindu, passive stillness is masculine, activity and motion are feminine. To a Taoist, action is masculine and passiveness is feminine. In other words, if it is a virtue it is masculine. The Jew turns the pyramid on its head
To Forgive is Divine
At 8:15, I presented the questions to my friends. The first: what would it cost you to forgive? Pens quietly scratched paper, and reason silently scratched the surface of emotion...
At 8:15, I presented the questions to my friends. The first: what would it cost you to forgive? Pens quietly scratched paper, and reason silently scratched the surface of emotion...
The Jewish Woman
The Bottom Line
I was demanding a point blank answer to my question. "Please listen to exactly what I am asking. I just want to know – what’s my bottom line here? That’s all I care about."
I was demanding a point blank answer to my question. "Please listen to exactly what I am asking. I just want to know – what’s my bottom line here? That’s all I care about."
Healing Comes in Layers
I was horrified at the thought of an open gaping hole, and could not imagine how it was going to heal and not get infected. In fact I obsessed about it and it took me a good few days before I could even look at it...
I was horrified at the thought of an open gaping hole, and could not imagine how it was going to heal and not get infected. In fact I obsessed about it and it took me a good few days before I could even look at it...
The Sincerity of Simplicity
She smiled brightly at me. Her smile was contagious. She couldn't contain her excitement anymore and I put down my book to listen...
She smiled brightly at me. Her smile was contagious. She couldn't contain her excitement anymore and I put down my book to listen...
All the glory of the King's daughter is within; her raiment is superior to settings of gold
— Psalms 45:14
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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