Category Archives: Uncategorized

This lesson is almost so obvious that it’s frequently overlooked. As you know, operating according to Hillel, we add one candle each night of Chanukah. I want to thank my teacher and friend, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, for reminding me of … Continue reading →

Very little of the actual writings of the Ba’al Shem Tov, founder of Chassidism, have survived.  One of the few “authenticated” samples is his commentary on Psalm 107, which he recited before the mincha of Erev Shabbat, the afternoon prayer for Friday … Continue reading →

It struck me, in the beginning days of Chanukah, that the traditional approach to all of our holidays, Shabbats and other periodic celebrations more often than not hamstrings us. Until this year, in which I’ve been consumed with other learning … Continue reading →

Each moment is perfect, exactly what it needs to be. Each moment lasts only a הרף עין, haraf ayin, the wink of an eye, as it leads, inevitably, to the next perfect moment, exactly what it needs to be. The … Continue reading →

In past years, I’ve thought (and written) a lot about the conflict between the Greek approach to life as it opposed our ancestors’.  Although much richer in its reality, it represents to us the exclusively empirical approach which, in today’s … Continue reading →

I’ve never been, nor aspired to be a congregational rabbi and I’ve rarely worked with or through established institutions.  Nonetheless, in my role as teacher I’m frequently asked by people just starting their Jewish journey how to begin. In the … Continue reading →

Three people were given a book, a basic arithmetic textbook.  After many years, one student was able to recite the book from start to finish.  Not only that, she could tell you the exact word at every position of every … Continue reading →

Quiet down and quit sniping at each other!  It’s time for us to act like grown-ups. It’s time to learn and accept that some Jews will tend towards more observance and some towards less, and that many on both sides … Continue reading →

A single option strangles; too many paralyze. Perhaps it’s today’s immediate communication on the internet, but many of the rapidly-developing human crises, and not just those of the Torah-aware Jewish world, seem to be the result of literally all or … Continue reading →

As Jews in this world, what is our ultimate goal?  One very significant aspect of Torah and Mitzvot is that they are tools.  We’re taught, at least on those rare occasions where the lectures and lessons go beyond “God said … Continue reading →