Hope Against Hope

Hope Against Hope

Yaakov’s sons saw their brother Yosef as a threat, and devised a plot to kill him. The oldest brother, Reuven, seeing that his brother Yosef was about to be killed, quickly came up with a plan. Reuven said, “Do not spill his blood. Throw him into this pit...
Is it Plugged in, Sir?

Is it Plugged in, Sir?

A tale told by technical support engineers goes as follows: Larry was happily browsing online when his new computer suddenly went blank. He pressed the power button on and off multiple times, but that didn’t help. Knocking the monitor, banging on the keyboard,...
Penniless Donors

Penniless Donors

Jacob, fleeing from the threat of his brother Esau, was alone in the desert, homeless and penniless. That night he slept on the desert floor, and when he awoke he prayed to G-d for safety and his basic necessities. His simple prayer ended with the pledge “All...
Eat Your Heart Out

Eat Your Heart Out

I have never been to an engagement party, a wedding, or even a birthday party that didn’t have refreshments, if not a full course meal. What’s a party without food and drinks? Of course, the reason for this staple of merriment is that the hosts of the...
Astounding Surroundings

Astounding Surroundings

The benefits of having good neighbors are well known. A good neighbor will keep an eye on your house when you’re away, take in your mail, water your plants, and feed your fish. Good neighbors will watch out for you, greet you on your walk around the block, and...