by Mordechai Dixler | Nov 19, 2010 | Lifeline
Our world is one of many challenges — of that, there is no doubt. Interpersonal conflict, the temptation to be dishonest or to act improperly, physical threats to one’s well being — the challenges abound! To well-meaning people who seek to help...
by Mordechai Dixler | Nov 5, 2010 | Lifeline, What's happening
The Torah describes the personality of Jacob as “a pure man.” Some may find this surprising, since the Torah also describes Jacob tricking his father into giving him the blessings intended for Esau, and for devising a system through which he became wealthy...
by Mordechai Dixler | Oct 22, 2010 | Lifeline
When unexpected guests arrive at Abraham’s tent, the Torah repeatedly emphasizes his hurry to serve them: “He ran to greet them… Abraham rushed to the tent… he said, ‘Hurry!’… Abraham ran to the cattle…” This is...
by Mordechai Dixler | Oct 14, 2010 | Lifeline
In this week’s reading, our forefather Abraham is told to leave home. He is to journey to the Promised Land, where, G-d promises, Abraham will grow to be a great nation. But as we know, the Nation of Israel only develops after most of the intervening years are...
by Mordechai Dixler | Oct 7, 2010 | Lifeline
I don’t think I’m alone in feeling a sense of newness this week. The High Holidays and the subsequent 9-day holiday of Succos/Shemini Atzeres-Simchas Torah — all grouped, in the Al-mighty’s wisdom, at the beginning of the Jewish year —...
by Mordechai Dixler | Sep 17, 2010 | Lifeline
This year, Yom Kippur falls on Shabbos, the Sabbath. Yom Kippur itself is called “Sabbath of Sabbaths” in the Torah [Lev. 16:31] — but what is the connection? They seem to lie at opposite ends of the spectrum. On the Sabbath, we sit together with...
