Category Archives: Uncategorized

The power of the internet and the news media has made the tragic massacres of school children in Connecticut, and, to a lesser degree (no less a tragedy, but less a focus of the world media), in China, the world’s … Continue reading →

While anchored to the wick, the flame strains to rise.  If it reaches its goal, it will detach from the wick and will then no longer be what it was.  No one can see what it is becoming.  The miracle … Continue reading →

From time to time, I help a friend lead a Mussar worksop.  A couple weeks ago we discussed the Middah, personality trait, of the Shevil HaZahav, The Golden Path of Moderation. The following are some thoughts I presented at that meeting. Mussar Midot … Continue reading →

For anything much more complex than, say, driving a nail into a board, direct action, surprisingly, is generally not very effective.  In fact, even for a task this simple, unless you intend to push the nail-head as hard as you can … Continue reading →

A catalyst is a necessary ingredient which creates, or at least facilitates, a reaction but which might not even be detected in the final product.  In many ways, Yitzchak represents this essential function.  Of the אבות, Avot, Patriarchs, he is … Continue reading →

Rabbi Twerski zt”l, in his book Malchut Shlomo, writes a very short piece for Parshat Noah.  He quotes the very beginning of the parsha, …אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת נֹחַ נֹחַ, “These are the generations of Noah, Noah…”and teaches that Noah was himself … Continue reading →

Yom Kippur is the climax of Tshuva, returning. The guiding principle in this period of time is that even though the subtleties of the process are infinitely beyond our comprehension, somehow we are each invited, as unique individuals, to restore … Continue reading →

The themes of Sin and Repentance predominate, beginning tomorrow evening and extending for Ten Days of Repentance through Yom Kippur when we chant together, אשמנו, בגדנו, Ahamnu, Bagadnu, We have become guilty, We have betrayed….  This always brings up the … Continue reading →