When Fear is Required
One of the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov is found in a popular Jewish tune: "All the world is a very narrow bridge, and the main thing is not to be afraid at all." He was speaking about the physical world—because, when it comes to fear of Heaven, just the...
Abraham “the Hebrew”
Since the horrific massacres that took place in the Land of Israel earlier this month, students on campus have faced rallies for "Palestine" that quickly devolved into explicit Jew hatred. Earlier this week, so-called protesters discovered that there were Jews...
The Truly Good, the Mediocre… and the Evil
“These are the products [children] of Noach; Noach was a righteous man, pure in his generation, and Noach walked with G-d… And G-d said to Noach, the end of all flesh comes before me, for all the earth is filled with Hamas because of them, and behold, I will destroy...
The Brotherhood and Depravity of Man
Two thoughts come to mind from our parsha, the reading this week. First of all, the notion of a “brotherhood of man” comes from our Torah; it is one of its first lessons. Today this is such a common idea that we don’t give it much thought, but in reality it is quite...
The Luxury of Austerity
On the Mitzvah of dwelling in a Sukkah, the Torah says, "In order that your generations will know that I placed the Children of Israel in Sukkos when I brought them out of the Land of Egypt; I am Hashem Your G-d" [Lev. 23:43]. What is the "knowledge" that we gain by...
The Power of Bad Habits
"Is this the way you pay Hashem back, foolish nation and unwise…" [Deut. 32:6]. The Talmud teaches (Tamid 32b) "Who is Wise? The one who sees the future." This is not a reference to prophecy, but to the ability to perceive the logical consequences of our actions. One...
A Fresh Start
The Torah portion of Nitzavim is always read immediately before Rosh HaShanah, the New Year. It seems that our Sages knew that reading what the Nation of Israel was told then, at the end of Deuteronomy, would place us in the right frame of mind. If someone thinks that...
Appreciating Gift and Giver
Please learn & pray for the recovery of Menachem Mendel Chaim ben Mirel. Our reading begins with the offering of Bikkurim, the first fruits, in the Holy Temple. At the end of the process, the Torah says "And you shall be happy with all the goodness that Hashem...
Try, or Try Not. There is no Do.
One of the more famous lines of the Star Wars franchise comes at a point when the mentor and teacher, Yoda, cajoles the protagonist, Luke, into attempting a task that the latter has already claimed cannot be done. Cowed into submission, Luke says, "alright, I'll give...
To Heel the World
Our reading this week begins with an unusual word in its opening verse: "And it will be that as a consequence [Eikev] of listening to these judgments, guarding and doing them, that HaShem your G-d will guard for you the Covenant and the kindness which He swore to your...
Come Together… Under Me
When, thousands of years ago, our Sages instituted the annual cycle of Torah readings, they established the calendar such that this week's reading, Devarim, opening the Book of Deuteronomy, universally comes during the week of the Ninth of Av. 9 Av, of course, is the...
Finding Fault or Favor
The Torah says that "the nation shall judge," and a verse later, "the nation shall save" [Num. 35:24-25]. The Talmud learns from the juxtaposition of these verses that the Sanhedrin, the High Court, should side with saving the accused, try to find merit for him, and...
