To see the Promised Land, without understanding what it is
Like Moshe, we have yet to ascend the mountain and there to gain a broader perspective of our destiny and days to come.
Like Moshe, we have yet to ascend the mountain and there to gain a broader perspective of our destiny and days to come.
What Yom Kippur should accomplish within each of us.
We don't know why G-d created the world, nor why He gave us free will, but we can hopefully see and understand the gift of T'shuva.
The all important part of a Torah Life – gratitude and happiness.
We keep all mitzvot and shun all prohibitions because that's what G-d wants. After that we can spend a lifetime trying to understand better.
The ups and downs of different authority systems.
The gentle path to walk according to the Jewish laws and tradition.
This is the main goal of Parshat Eikev: Hear what your mouth is talking about.
Raise eyes heavenward and worship the sun or the moon or the stars - not to replace G-d, but to serve Him by honoring his creations.
How many Jews today, Torah observant Jews, do more than pay lip-service to the building of the Third Beit HaMikdash?
We did a great job of creating vibrant Jewish communities all over the world. But now we should be living in Eretz Yisrael.
Our package deal from G-d consists of the whole Torah - Written and Oral, Talmudic and Rabbinic Law, and a mix of Minhag and Tradition.
We need to ask and answer the question - In which direction are we headed?
We need to be especially appreciative to G-d for fighting for us.
What's the meaning of the enigmatic mitzvot? How does it affect us?
The 'story' of the Meraglim and the 'story' of Korach's rebellion are not just once-upon-a-time a long time ago stories.
How do we correct a sin that affects an entire people?
We can chose to reject the words of the majority who would rather remain in the Midbar and rally to the side of Yehoshua and Kalev.
GALUT is evolving into GEULA right before our eyes. We are not there yet, but we are progressing in the right direction.
We are at a symbolic crossroad with Bamidbar and Yom Yerushalayim being one right after the other.
Our challenge, as has been the challenge of every generation since Nationhood, is to improve as individual Jews and as part of Klal Yisrael.
G-d had a special interest in giving the people of Israel the Torah at Mount Sinai, outside of Israel. What is the reason?
The State of Israel opened the door to a country to any and all Jews who want to come here.
Some thoughts about the days that a part mournful and part celebration of the indestructibility of the Jewish heart and soul.
Shabbat HaGadol is more than a pointer towards Pesach - it is the major postscript to it.
Our partnership with G-d in setting up the calendar.
A Jew is supposed to be a good partner to his/her soul, meaning, to live a Torah life.
We need to seriously change our attitudes towards how we argue with each other.
We should remember what Amalek did to us, and other Amaleks throughout history have done to us
We are each part of Klal Yisrael. A singular unit, also with Mitzvot. Both identities are who we are. Neither should negate the other.
We are repeatedly commanded to build the Tabernacle. Is this a parable that is supposed to throw at our lives here and now?
The golden calf was a demonstration for our being human beings. Now we can improve.
Can a superior man also engage in simple, everyday actions?
About Parashat Terumah.
We might not always live up to that level of commitment to G-d, but that is our target.
Understanding Torah and mitzvot is important, but must never be thought of as a condition.
Our knowledge of what G-d did for us - and continues to do for us - is extremely crucial to our lives as Torah Jews.
A look at the close connection between our calendar and our partnership with God.
Maybe we don't have new prophecy today, but we certainly have prophecy in our time.
“It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to.”
Do we really accept that the ways of Torah are pleasant and that we can improve keeping the Torah for ourselves and for our fellow Jews?
Mitzvot and brachot are meant to teach us to appreciate being alive and active in the world that G-d gave us.
Is everything perfect? Not yet. But with G-d's help and our continued efforts, we'll get closer and closer.
We must be grateful for every positive step on our way.
The roots of anti-Semitism already begin with the hatred Eisav had for Jacob.
We need to protect ourselves and fight hard when necessary. We need to beseech G-d to protect us until we will not have to fear anymore.
The art of blessing to use your day well.
Different aspects of prayer, both important.
Being part of the whole does not negate our individual identity as single solitary Jews.
We each should develop a personal relationship with G-d. His covenant is between Him and me. And my children and grandchildren.
We believe that we are chosen and challenged for a spiritual quest like no others. But we need to remember that we are human beings and Jews
This conveys to us the responsibility that every single person has towards the global concern for beneficial rain.
The amazing thing about Judaism (one of the most amazing things) is that we are a horizontal people as well as vertical.
What Yom Kippur should accomplish within each of us.
We don't know why G-d created the world, nor why He gave us Free Will, but we can hopefully see and understand the gift of T'shuva.
There are Jews who do keep the mitzvot, but they do not keep them with joy. They need to be shown the beauties of a Torah way of life.
The Torah forbids pulling a band wagon with an elephant harnessed with two giraffes - as we find in Dr. Seuss's book.
The ups and downs of different authority systems.
The gentle path to walk according to Jewish laws and the tradition
This is the main goal of Parshat Eikev: Hear what your mouth is talking about.