Rock of Ages let our song, Praise thy saving power; Thou amidst the raging foes, Wast our sheltering tower.
The Sages teach us that an angel teaches the entire Torah to an embryo in utero. Then just before he is born, the angel taps him on his upper lip and he forgets it all – and this is the reason why people have an indentation right under their nose. But if so, why does…
GOOD MORNING! It appears that society is becoming incredibly sensitive. When I have the temerity to include a current political example to illustrate a point about Jewish values, people take offense. When I discuss the evils of Hamas – a truly vile terrorist organization whom I cannot imagine anyone seriously defending –I receive emails such…
Since October 7, 2023, surrounded by accusations against Israel and distortions about what it means to be a Jew, you may be feeling conflicted emotions regarding your Jewish identity. It’s essential to resist the lies that the world wants you to be about being Jewish today in order to reclaim your authentic identity as a…
Death warrants signed. Gallows constructed. Genocide imminent. Then, everything flips. The villain hangs in place of the hero. The king’s seal used to condemn now authorizes deliverance. A concealed queen reveals her true identity and saves her people. This dramatic reversal—this “v’nahafoch hu“1 (and it was turned upside down), as the Book of Esther itself describes…
Every year, on the Shabbat before Purim, we read Parshat Zachor, the Portion of Remembrance, reminding us of the obligation to wipe out the evil nation of Amalek. The Torah tells us that the reason for this is that the Amalekites attacked us whilst they were in the desert, and consequently we are commanded to…
The suit makes the man, or so they say. But in Judaism, it goes much deeper – clothing makes us human. When God became the first fashion designer in the Garden of Eden, it wasn’t about protection from the elements or even modesty alone. It was about something far more profound. In this week’s Torah…
It is by any standards a strange, almost incomprehensible law. The Torah writes: Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God….
Were These Historical Figures Good for the Jews? 1 / 6 Nikola Tesla His revolutionary achievements included inventing the Tesla coil, developing alternating current power systems, and even remote control technology. But were his attitudes concerning the Jews progressive or regressive? Good Bad Tesla has been accused of being antisemitic due to some derogatory quotes…
After 491 days in Hamas captivity, and the murder of his wife, two daughters and brother, Eli Sharabi has emerged with a perspective that defies comprehension. “I’m lucky,” he says, a statement that seems impossible coming from a man who has endured unimaginable suffering and devastating loss. Sharabi shared his harrowing experience with Israeli Channel…
Today, many people struggle as never before to discover their purpose as distinct individuals. This isn’t surprising given the bombardment of information, images, and choices that our brains struggle to process. The steady encroachment of AI adds to our sense of insecurity about our unique value and usefulness. But finding our purpose is an essential…