by Mordechai Dixler | Nov 7, 2019 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, Abraham is called an Ivri, a Hebrew, for the first time. “And it was told to Abraham, the Hebrew… (Genesis 14:13).” What is the meaning of this word Ivri, one of the most common descriptors of the Jews? An Ivri, simply,...
by Mordechai Dixler | Oct 31, 2019 | Lifeline
At the end of last week’s portion, Bereishis, we were introduced to Noah, the one man who found G-d’s favor in the debased generation of the flood. This week the portion opens, “These are the children of Noah” — but the Torah then...
by Mordechai Dixler | Oct 24, 2019 | Lifeline
When I finish a book, I most often have little desire to read it again. I even feel somewhat relieved that I’ve made it through the few hundred pages, even if I enjoyed the journey. It is rare to find a book so rich with ideas or intriguing characters that I...
by Mordechai Dixler | Oct 10, 2019 | Lifeline
The Siddur describes the holiday of Sukkos as “Our time of happiness.” After the intense and cleansing High Holy Days, we can now rejoice with our Creator, celebrating our renewed relationship. Also, if we consider the agricultural cycle in Israel (or most...
by Mordechai Dixler | Oct 3, 2019 | Lifeline
We are now in the middle of the Ten Days of Repentance, culminating with the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah, which just passed, was the Day of Judgment for the new year. Many have asked a simple, yet compelling question: why shouldn’t we first have...
