1310 essays
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Essays on the weekly Torah portion, the holidays and Jewish thought.
Parsha Emor – No Holds Barred Education Our youth is more receptive today to the message of Judaism, particularly its spiritual and mystical dimension. Our youth’s rebelliousness is an asset and a blessing if channeled into rebelling against the spiritual status-quo. Parsha Emor – Soul Bank and Trust Company Doing good does not always yield good results in the present day and age. All of our Mitzvos are stored in a bank. In the Messianic Age we will be able to cash in and fully enjoy on all the good that we do today. Parsha Emor – The Life Affirming Kohain The inevitability of death is grossly exaggerated. Judaism believes not only in the immortality of the soul, but also in the eventual restoration of the body in the Messianic Age. The Kohain represents embracing life. Parsha Emor – The Significant Insignificant Omer Nothing in life is insignificant. Indeed, some of the most exciting discoveries are in those aspects of life that appear tangential and marginal. Parsha Emor – The Ultimate Synthesis Modern science claims that humans are really advanced animals. Torah maintains that we are G-dly beings cast in an animal body. Our goal is to tame and transform the animal within. Parsha Emor – Transcending Our Nature Judaism focuses on the need to change our negative traits. Chassidic thought goes a step further. We also need to change the nature of our positive character traits. Parsha Vayeira – 30 and 36 Tzadikim to Bring Moshiach Not all Tzadikkim are created equal. Some focus on the royal aspects of life in anticipation of the future Messianic Age. Others empower us to fight the darkness of exile. The ideal tzadik is to combine both approaches. Parsha Vayeira – A Rebel Without a Cause In Jewish thought, there is a strong bond that connects the pioneers with those who complete the task. The pioneers were the Patriarchs and we, the generation that will bring the Redemption, are the ones who make all the efforts of the past bear fruit. Parsha Vayeira – Dietary Laws Observed The saga of Abraham and the angels teaches us something about what makes humans unique and even superior to angels. That is why we received the Torah and not them. Parsha Vayeira – Happy for Someone Else’s Happiness for You There are many levels of happiness. The basic level is happiness for the good we receive from G-d. The next level is the happiness we feel for the good that others receive. A higher level is the happiness we feel for the happiness of others. The highest is the happiness we feel when others feel happ Parsha Vayeira – Home Sweet Home Of the three human necessities, food, clothing and shelter, the Torah places an even greater emphasis on shelter. Shortage of food makes us hungry. Lack of clothing renders us cold. Homelessness denies us our human dignity. Parsha Vayeira – In the Midst of the City A few Inspirational People can Change an Entire City. A few good deeds, nay, even one, can save the world and bring Moshiach! Parsha Vayeira – Laugh Last G-d has great expectations of His people. Particularly in our age as we stand on the cusp of the Final Redemption. Parsha Vayeira – Laughing Our Way to Redemption There are three ways we can view G-d’s role in our lives. The first is to see His role in nature. The second is to see his role in inspiring us with His wisdom. The third is to see His supernatural role. Parsha Vayeira – Mine Is Mine and Yours Is Yours—this Is the Way of Sodom Giving with the wrong intention is still a Mitzvah. However, even a Mitzvah can be tainted with Sodomite insensitivity. Our challenge is to remove the smallest residue of Sodomite blindness from our Mitzvos. Parsha Vayeira – Mamre’s Advice Accepting advice from others is virtuous on two counts. It gives you objective analysis and it also uplifts the advisor and allows him or her to enter into your world. Parsha Vayeira – Sealing Off the Two Open Sides of the Alley There are three sources of influence in our lives: Internal, Mentor and Community. Our generation is fortunate to have the best of all three. Parsha Vayeira – Slouching Towards Gemara Evil has to be fought on all fronts. We must focus on evil actions as well as evil ideas. Parsha Vayeira – The Desert, Land and Sea All of life’s challenges are best met when we approach them with the Abrahamic virtue of love and kindness. Parsha Vayeira – The Laugh of the Future Laughter comes in two forms; for the here and now and for the future. Laughter for the here in now is human; laughter for the future is Divine.