ב"ה
Shoftim 5765 - September 9, 2005
Torn Together
How do you know that something is truly one and not many parts sewn together? Try to tear it apart...
How do you know that something is truly one and not many parts sewn together? Try to tear it apart...
Parshah
Shoftim in a Nutshell
“Justice”—the very concept is said to be a Jewish contribution to the world. A glance at this week’s Parshah (equality before the law, due process, protection of criminals from vigilante vengeance, curbs on the behavior of kings, rules and ethics in warfare . . . ) shows why.
“Justice”—the very concept is said to be a Jewish contribution to the world. A glance at this week’s Parshah (equality before the law, due process, protection of criminals from vigilante vengeance, curbs on the behavior of kings, rules and ethics in warfare . . . ) shows why.
Current
Surviving the Storm
If we always knew what lay in store for us, then the good that results from our "wrong" decisions would be lost forever...
If we always knew what lay in store for us, then the good that results from our "wrong" decisions would be lost forever...
Story
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 . . .”
Torah, Slavery and the Jews
Yes, there's tension here, and as every good dramatist and massage therapist knows, tension is a good point to play with
Yes, there's tension here, and as every good dramatist and massage therapist knows, tension is a good point to play with
Written Word, Spoken Word
Compliments are rare. My critics are not shy and freely express their displeasure with my work. At the end of the day, I feel drained to my last drop of energy. So why do I bother teaching?
Compliments are rare. My critics are not shy and freely express their displeasure with my work. At the end of the day, I feel drained to my last drop of energy. So why do I bother teaching?
Should We Hate Them?
Many of us are not quite sure how to react towards terrorists who have no qualms about killing huge amounts of people. Should we be angry with them or should we feel sorry for them?
Many of us are not quite sure how to react towards terrorists who have no qualms about killing huge amounts of people. Should we be angry with them or should we feel sorry for them?
All About Elul
Elul is the sixth month in the Jewish calendar. A time of prayer and introspection, it is the prelude to the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Elul is the sixth month in the Jewish calendar. A time of prayer and introspection, it is the prelude to the High Holidays: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
The month of Elul is the month of reckoning. In the material world, if a businessman is to conduct his affairs properly and profitably, he must periodically take an accounting and correct any deficiencies... Likewise in the spiritual avoda ("work") of serving G-d: one must know the good qualities in one's service of G-d and strengthen them; one must also be aware of the deficiencies in oneself and in one's service, and correct these...
— Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak of Lubavitch (Hayom Yom, Av 27)
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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