The Torah tells us that before the Israelites even knew what the mitzvahs were they accepted them unequivocally and unconditionally, telling G-d “we will do and we will hear.” The Talmud says that G-d responded in admiration, “Who revealed this secret to My children, the secret that the ministering angels use for …
The celebration of Tu B’Shevat — the 15th of the month of Shevat on the Hebrew calendar — is not mentioned in the Bible. The oldest reference is found in the Talmud, where Tu B’Shevat is called “the new year of the trees.” The Talmud ascribes significance to this date …
“And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh; and he said unto them: ‘Go, serve the LORD your G-d; but who are they that shall go?’ And Moses said: ‘We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks …
People often say, “If there is really a G-d, why doesn’t He do outright miracles anymore? I would believe in G-d if I saw the ten plagues in Egypt, the sea split or some other supernatural event.” In the past, G-d did miracles in order to prevent some terrible tragedy …
Awakening to the Role and Goal of Your Soul A good actor plays his part, but he doesn’t get lost in his part. He never forgets who he really is although fully immersed in his role. Similarly, you are a soul playing a character. And you, soul, are a ray …
At first glance prayer seems to be about whining and begging G-d, “Please heal this person … please bring me my soul-mate … please help my business, etc.” One could mistakenly think that G-d is holding out on us and gets pleasure watching us grovel. When we are faced with …
“For I made myself responsible for the naar youth — to my father, saying, If I do not give him safely back to you, let mine be the sin forever… For how shall I go up to my father, if the youth be not with me?” — Genesis 44:32-34 Although these words were …
I’ve often asked people to describe their image of a Torah sage or a Tzaddik (holy person). Most people imagine a frail old man, pale, stooped over and often wearing thick glasses. Why can’t the person also be a woman or a young dynamic robust fellow? But most people, when …
In this week’s portion, Jacob asks for peace and relaxation but G-d had another plan. “Jacob settled (down) in the land of his father’s dwellings, in the Land of Caanan.” — Genesis 37:2 The foremost commentator, Rashi, explains: Jacob wanted to settle down in tranquility but then the ordeal of …
Imagine you walk into a magic store where they sell special flashlights equipped with magic lights of different kinds. For example, you can buy the light of science, and when you point that flashlight at your hand, you see not a hand, but cells and blood vessels and tendons and …