“And you shall be happy in all that the Lord your G-d has given you” (Deut. 26:11) Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. — Hellen Keller Money can’t buy you happiness, but …
“Teshuva (repentance), tefilah (prayer), and tzedakah (charity) annul (even the most) severe decree.”—-From the Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur prayers The Talmud teaches: “Tzedaka saves from death.” When we need an incredible influx of life force — because we are facing impending physical death or impending spiritual death, the act …
When we read the Torah, some of its laws disturb our moral sensitivities. When this happens we must remind ourselves of the purpose of the Torah. Not all the laws of Torah represent its ideals. Some of them may even seem to contradict the very ideal that they are serving …
“Since the thoughts concerning G-d in their basic elements are unclear, G-d’s being as conceived by the multitudes — and even by the individuals who should be their leaders — is that of a ruthless power from whom there is no escape…”Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (1865-1935)“Yisuriim Mamreikiim” Not so long …
“I (G-d) will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto you (Moses); and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him” (Deut. 18: 18) The Torah claims that G-d revealed Himself to the entire …
“Thou shalt not harden thy heart, nor shut thy hand from your needy brother; surely open thy hand to him.” — Deut. 15:7-8 The Talmud teaches: “Tzedaka [commonly translated as charity] saves from death.” When we need an incredible influx of life force — because we are facing impending physical …
The Torah recounts how, before Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the first set of the tablets of the Ten Commandments, G-d told him that the Jewish people have created an idol — a golden calf. But Moses wasn’t alarmed; he was determined to bring the Jewish people the …
“You who are bonded with the Lord, your G-d, are alive, totally, today.”— Deuteronomy, 4:4 G-d wants to give us the greatest pleasure — His presence in our lives; to feel connected to Him. We are therefore, commanded, “To love the Lord your G-d, listen to His voice and bond …
There is a phenomenal Midrash (Jewish Oral Tradition) on Eicha that describes G-d in a state of agony. “Woe, what have I done?” G-d wails. “I have destroyed the Temple; I have cast out my children! What have I done?” An angel comes to G-d and says, “Do not cry, …
Many years ago, when I returned from a trip to Israel, my parents picked me up at the airport and sadly told me that we were going to the funeral of my cousin, who had been killed in a car accident. At the funeral, the rabbi said something that angered …