Author Archives: Harry Zeitlin

The smoke has cleared and the good guys won, but rather than any sense of justice done or victory over evil, I’m tense, depressed and waiting for the other shoe to fall.  In case you missed the news, the anti-semitic … Continue reading →

Each wind around my arm of the tefillin strap should activate one of the sefirot points in my body and in my soul.  They should connect with the sefirot of the Olam Gadol, the transcendent universe, joining my Olam Katan, the … Continue reading →

On Chanukah we begin by lighting one candle, the next night, two, the following night, three, until all eight are shining. Although there are opinions that the real mitzva each day is just the new candle, an important reason we’re … Continue reading →

Rebbe Nachman, discussing the guidelines of where the candles are to be lit, below 10 t’fachim (hand’s breadths), reminds us that the Shechina has never (either yet or since the churban (the destruction of the Temple)) entered that space below … Continue reading →

I think there’s a general consensus within centrist orthodox world that it’s fine for someone to be מחמיר, extra stringent, on themselves, but not to impose this on others. For many years I repeated this mantra, but now I’m not … Continue reading →

I wanted to let my previous article percolate over Shabbat, settle in the heart. At first glance, pre-Shabbat is a strange time to send out that message since the Shabbat Amida doesn’t contain the שמע קולנו (hear our voices) prayer … Continue reading →

I try to spend at least as much time and focus every day on מודים אנחנו לך (We Thank You–i.e. acknowledgement and gratitude for the many blessings we daily enjoy) as I do on שמע קולנו (Hear our voices–i.e. our … Continue reading →

Over the years, I’ve read many explanations and interpretations of the three types of leaving,  מארצך “from your land”, ממולדתך “from your birthplace” and ומבית אביך “from your father’s house”.  While I’m sure that others have as well, Rabbi Twerski … Continue reading →

A thought came to me about the transition of Moshe reviewing his life’s work, the new Nation of Israel, a work in progress (as it remains to this day), followed by the Creation itself.  “Sof Ma’aseh b’Machshava Techila”–Creation is aimed … Continue reading →