ב"ה
Vayak'hel-Pekudei 5769 - March 20, 2009
Living
Why Did G‑d Give Me Mental Illness?
Every soul journeys down into this world with two suitcases. One is full of challenges; the other, the talents and strengths necessary to withstand those challenges. The first suitcase is opened for you; the second you have to open yourself.
Every soul journeys down into this world with two suitcases. One is full of challenges; the other, the talents and strengths necessary to withstand those challenges. The first suitcase is opened for you; the second you have to open yourself.
One for My Husband and One for Me
'Dubbela, why are you singing?' She asked, 'What's making you so happy?' I told her, 'It's my day today. I'm on my way to buy a lottery ticket and I'm sure that I'll win.'
'Dubbela, why are you singing?' She asked, 'What's making you so happy?' I told her, 'It's my day today. I'm on my way to buy a lottery ticket and I'm sure that I'll win.'
Taking G‑d to Court
Shouldn't G‑d be held accountable for all the suffering that He is aware of, and certainly is in the position to ameliorate? G‑d should be required to answer for His "missteps"—at least as they impact our lives!
Shouldn't G‑d be held accountable for all the suffering that He is aware of, and certainly is in the position to ameliorate? G‑d should be required to answer for His "missteps"—at least as they impact our lives!
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!"
Do You Live in a Fish Bowl?
As I gaze at them, I wonder about their perceptions of their home: Do our fish realize that this twenty gallon tank is just a tiny miniature replica of their authentic home, in some faraway lake or sea?
As I gaze at them, I wonder about their perceptions of their home: Do our fish realize that this twenty gallon tank is just a tiny miniature replica of their authentic home, in some faraway lake or sea?
Judaism
How Can the Rabbis Add to Torah?
Why do the rabbis add so many laws to the Torah? Isn't that what caused Adam and Eve to sin--the fact that Eve made unwarranted additions to G‑d's law?
Why do the rabbis add so many laws to the Torah? Isn't that what caused Adam and Eve to sin--the fact that Eve made unwarranted additions to G‑d's law?
A 3,300 year-old Environmental Protection Law
A closer look at a 3,300 year-old environmental protecttion law
A closer look at a 3,300 year-old environmental protecttion law
What's Wrong With Pre-Marital Intimacy?
I feel that intimacy is an important part of a relationship, and would create a very strong bond between us. So what's wrong with pre-marital intimacy?
I feel that intimacy is an important part of a relationship, and would create a very strong bond between us. So what's wrong with pre-marital intimacy?
The Jewish Woman
A Link In the Chain
So here I sit at my youngest daughter's siddur party, my digital camera poised in one hand, and my other hand wiping away a stray tear...
So here I sit at my youngest daughter's siddur party, my digital camera poised in one hand, and my other hand wiping away a stray tear...
My Mikvah Baby
I find myself praying and talking to Him like never before, finding the great relief of putting all my fears in His hands. I want the birth of this baby to highlight my journey to know myself and G‑d's presence in me...
I find myself praying and talking to Him like never before, finding the great relief of putting all my fears in His hands. I want the birth of this baby to highlight my journey to know myself and G‑d's presence in me...
Naama Shafir
Every Saturday, as the afternoon begins to draw to an end, some of the University of Toledo women's basketball players prepare to make a phone call. When the sun finally sets, they dial their teammate. "Naama, it's time to come out and play!" they sing to her...
Every Saturday, as the afternoon begins to draw to an end, some of the University of Toledo women's basketball players prepare to make a phone call. When the sun finally sets, they dial their teammate. "Naama, it's time to come out and play!" they sing to her...
Parshah
The Parshah in a Nutshell
The Israelites donate abundant materials for the construction of the Tabernacle. The holy vessels, tapestries and walls are completed and the priestly clothes are sewn. Moses initiates Aron's family into the priesthood, errects the Tabernacle and the Divine Presence rests upon it.
The Israelites donate abundant materials for the construction of the Tabernacle. The holy vessels, tapestries and walls are completed and the priestly clothes are sewn. Moses initiates Aron's family into the priesthood, errects the Tabernacle and the Divine Presence rests upon it.
Wise of Heart
Why does Moses issue a call for the “wise of heart”? Is this not a contradiction in terms? After all, wisdom is in the mind, while emotions are in the heart!
Why does Moses issue a call for the “wise of heart”? Is this not a contradiction in terms? After all, wisdom is in the mind, while emotions are in the heart!
A Silence Louder Than Words
On the 27th of Adar the Rebbe suffered a stroke, and spoke no more. How are we to view this event? What does it demand of us?
On the 27th of Adar the Rebbe suffered a stroke, and spoke no more. How are we to view this event? What does it demand of us?
My Grandma's Selective Memory
She built in America what architects of the land said could not be supported. But then, looking at blueprints, it can be hard to see passion.
She built in America what architects of the land said could not be supported. But then, looking at blueprints, it can be hard to see passion.
Raising Funds and Children
Men, women and children all lined up to contribute to the cause. One would hardly imagine that the children's gift made much of a difference to a project as grand as that of the Tabernacle...
Men, women and children all lined up to contribute to the cause. One would hardly imagine that the children's gift made much of a difference to a project as grand as that of the Tabernacle...
Community, Individuality, and Why It's Frustrating to Have a Brain
Vayak'hel and Pekudei: why they are joined (some years), why they are separated (other years), why Vayak'hel comes first, why Vayak'hel took Pekudei's name and Pekudei took Vayak'hel's, not to mention the fact that both Parshahs appear to be almost entirely superfluous
Vayak'hel and Pekudei: why they are joined (some years), why they are separated (other years), why Vayak'hel comes first, why Vayak'hel took Pekudei's name and Pekudei took Vayak'hel's, not to mention the fact that both Parshahs appear to be almost entirely superfluous
Jewish News
Legislators Laud Emissaries on Occasion of Ottawa Rabbinical Conference
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined members of the House of Commons in saluting the Canadian Federation of Chabad-Lubavitch as 100 emissaries gathered for a national conference on Parliament Hill.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper joined members of the House of Commons in saluting the Canadian Federation of Chabad-Lubavitch as 100 emissaries gathered for a national conference on Parliament Hill.
The Talmud (Berachot 6b) says, "A person should always be scrupulous about the Minchah prayer." The special quality of Minchah is that it comes in the middle of the day, when people are occupied and busy with their personal affairs, yet they interrupt these to pray to G-d.
— R. Schneur Zalman of Liadi (Hayom Yom, 22 Adar I
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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