We often think life is unfair. It helps to look back on our lives and at history. We usually discover that G-d pays His debts. In the end, everything is fair.
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Tetzaveh »
Stones that Open A Heart
This week, we study the vestments worn by the High Priest as he performed his service in the Temple. The High Priest represents the epitome of holiness; he is the closest a human can be to G‑d. Selected to represent the entire nation in prayer, supplication, offering, and song to the Almighty, he embodies divine service. He is G‑d’s servant par excellence, the earthly manifestation of G‑dliness.
His vestments were carefully designed by G‑d down to the finest detail. This is both astounding and fascinating. The Creator of heaven and earth—the designer of endless galaxies, limitless beauty, exquisite depth, and brilliant wisdom—assumed the role of a clothes designer to clothe the High Priest. The product of Divine imagination was breathtaking: a beauty unparalleled in the annals of human design. Read the full story »
Your Body Is a Temple
The Torah whispers a radical idea in our ears: G-d said to Moses: “Make for Me a sanctuary, and I will dwell in them.” Not “in it,” but “in them” — within the people who build it.
G-d dwells within each of us. Every one of us can become a sanctuary. We can turn our bodies into G-d’s temple.
Make G-d Your Partner
What are your morning rituals? What rituals does G-d want for you? How do they make you G-d’s partner?
The Gift of Being “Extra”
When we are jealous, we measure our value by others’ success. We can’t be like others. We were born to be ourselves. When we accept that limitation, we begin to shine.
Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself
When you trust in G-d, you know that circumstances and people can’t harm you. You have nothing to fear but fear itself.
Why Jews Need An Army
When we want to pray, our minds wander; it is a battle to maintain concentration. When we want to give to charity but feel drawn to use the money for ourselves, we are at war with ourselves. When we struggle with lust, greed, dishonesty, pride, anger, and envy, we are at war.
Fostering Empathy In Our Children
Moses was chosen for his empathy. He learned empathy from his parents. We mold our children into what we model for them. It is our sacred duty to model empathy.
Don’t Waste A Crisis
You can be free wherever you are. Even if your body is incarcerated, your mind and soul can be free.
A Diaspora Blessing that Gives us Courage
Every Friday night, we bless our children with the words, “May G-d make you like Ephraim And Manasseh.” Why them of all people in Jewish history?
Parsha Insights »
Vayikra: Love
True love can only emerge when two people perform acts of love for each other. I am not talking about the shallow love that people describe when they talk about falling in love. That kind of love is skin deep. I am not even talking about the kind of love …
Yearly Cycle »
Shofar: A Wake Up call
The Fire Marshal
The Hebrew month of Elul is upon us. During the course of this month we sound the Shofar every day in preparation for the Rosh Hashanah holiday that is soon approaching. The story is told of a young man who was instructed by the village elders to travel …
Concepts »
Chanukah: Menorah on Masada
Mass Suicide
When you climb to the top and hike to the back you will discover a giant Chanukah Menorah on Masada and you have to wonder why. What is the connection between the story of Chanukah and the fortress of Massada? To answer this question we must go back to …
Rabbi’s Desk »
What Can We Do?
These past two days have been the most difficult for our people in the last fifty years. It was Simchat Torah, a time for rejoicing, yet it was a time of horror. Nearly a thousand members of our family were brutally murdered, more than a hundred were taken hostage, and …
