1310 essays
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Essays on the weekly Torah portion, the holidays and Jewish thought.
Parsha Vayeira – The Natural Way Some religions glorify nature. Others shun the forces of nature. Judaism believes that the Torah was given to elevate nature. Parsha Vayeira – The Test After the Test The most important part of meeting a challenge is the follow up after meeting that challenge. Parsha Vayeira – Three Tiered Tarrying One of the challenges to our belief and anticipation for Moshiach is the fear of change. We can overcome that fear when we realize that all of the changes will seamlessly fit into our lives and unmitigated good will follow. Parsha Vayeira – Total Transparency The reason we revere Moses and Moses-like individuals is not because of their greatness but because they are so self-effacing and transparent that they channel G-d’s light without any filter. Parsha Vayeira – Walking Together Retirement is an invention of Western Civilization. Its underlying ethos is in direct opposition to the values of Judaism. no matter how great our early achievements, the Torah, Health permitting, wants us to “keep on trucking.” Parsha Vayeira – When Going Through the Motions Counts Many have wondered which is preferable: Good and sincere intentions without action or action without sincerity, The answer is action that impacts the world trumps sincerity without action. However, Judaism’s ideal is to combine the two. Parsha Vayeira – “Yes We Kain” There is a dichotomy between what is intended and what is actualized. G-d’s confirmation of His creation is what made the creation capable of fulfilling its mission. Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – Be Holy Holiness is defined by our ability to live a G-dly existence in all aspects of life. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – Don’t Let the Sodomite Salt Blind Our Open Eyes Blindness comes in many forms. The most challenging form is when our eyes our wide open with 20-20 vision, yet we fail to see the Divine in everything. This is the challenge of Galus-exile and will be remedied with Moshiach. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – Exile Is Not a Curse?! It is axiomatic in Judaism, that when a person is given a challenge, he or she is also given the ability to meet that challenge. Ours is the challenge of Galus. We have the capacity to meet that challenge by bringing the Redemption! ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – Honoring and Revering Parents Shabbos is our invitation to enter into G-d’s “space.” Honoring parents invites G-d to enter into our space. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – Help the Blind Galus-exile is a time of disrupted Shalom Bayis- Domestic Peace. It is caused by spiritual blindness. Moshiach will open our eyes to see the G-dly and goodly in everything and everyone. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – I Don’t Need Your Gold, I Want Your Soul Gold is a metaphor for spiritual wealth. In conventional times and situations one must search for and offer our “gold” to G-d. In unconventional times, like Yom Kippur, we must transcend the “gold standard.” We must give our pure untainted and unadorned souls to G-d. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHI Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – Judaism and the Occult One of Judaism’s many paradoxes is that it is simultaneously the most mystical and most rational belief system. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – L’chaim to Life – I There is an intrinsic quality to life. The greatest quality of life is the quality of life itself. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – L’chaim-To Life! Ii Life to be experienced in its fullest sense must be one of plurality dedicated to a singularity. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – Loving Yourself Self-Esteem should be replaced with Soul-Esteem, the true self ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – Live with Them The beauty of Judaism is that it allows us ot soar to the greatest spiritual heights but considers our transformation of the physical world its primary focus. Indeed, when we fuse the two movements together we get the Messianic symphony. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – Odd Combination Although it sounds irrational, the highest and lowest realms can reside in the same person or situation. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM Parsha Acharei-Kedoshim – One Day Yom Kippur is much more than a Day of Atonement. It is a day of “At-one-ment” where we experience total unity with G-d. ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM ACHAREI-KEDOSHIM