Author Archives: Harry Zeitlin

A “mantra” of Kiruv organizations (institutions aimed at leading unobservant Jews into (usually) orthodox lives) has long been לעולם יעסוק אדם בתורה ובמצות אף על פי שלא לשמה, שמתוך שלא לשמה בא לשמה (….sh’mitoch s’lo lishma bo lishma), “One should engage with Torah and … Continue reading →

I am very taken with a recent article by Annika Hernroth-Rothstein, a young journalist. In it she makes the case that our instant, reflex-like response to every call for BDS and its ilk has, by our very opposition, given these essentially … Continue reading →

The most common sermon for Parshat Shelach is that bad-mouthing, יציאת דבה, (yetziat diba) Eretz Yisrael has disastrous results. The infamous Meraglim, scouts, return with a glowing report of Eretz Yisrael and then turn on it as אֶרֶץ אֹכֶלֶת יוֹשְׁבֶיהָ (Eretz Ochelet … Continue reading →

We all live in (at least) two worlds, which I’d like to distinguish here as the spiritual and the practical. My nature draws me to the spiritual/speculative, but I’m constantly dragged back “down to earth” by the practical. In many … Continue reading →

We live as a tiny group within the context of a very large and highly complex human society. There is much to be said for open and honest conversation with people of other faiths. With our mandate to be a … Continue reading →

I live in a state of constant dissatisfaction. No matter what I achieve, I want more. I know I can go further because others before me have. I’m not talking about money or recognition or even fingerboard dexterity on my … Continue reading →

There is as hidden conditional phrase that precedes every mitzva and halacha. It goes like this, “If you want to participate in refining the world and refining yourself, then do…..(or refrain from……)”. Torah and Mitzvot are not arbitrary. They’re also not … Continue reading →

I tried to fill myself with Torah this Shavuot. I recited the bulk of the traditional Tikkun, a “sampling” of the entire Torah which not only includes selections from the beginning and end of every parsha and every book of … Continue reading →

Although the period of time between Pesach and Shavuot, which by all rights should be filled with the joy and anticipation of receiving Torah, has been designated a time of semi-mourning with restrictions on weddings, shopping, music and other celebrations, commemorating … Continue reading →

שיר השירים ה:טו) שׁוֹקָיו עַמּוּדֵי שֵׁשׁ) His legs are pillars of marble (Shir HaShirim 5:15) The Rebbe Rashab (Shalom DovBer Schneerson), the fifth Lubavitcher Rebbe, refers to the Midrash (Midrash Rabba 10:1) which plays on the words שוק (shok), leg/thigh … Continue reading →