A Lack of Urgency

Have you ever called 911 and gotten an operator on the phone who, while you were in an emergency situation, seemed as if you were talking about which movie you wanted to see? How about when you go to a store and the person behind the counter ignores you while she talks on the phone? Or when you...

09/17/2008 | 199 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

Against the Grain

The beauty of the world is an expression of Hashem’s handiwork. The blue sky, the mountains, the oceans, the trees, etc. are all expressions of His greatness. Two thirds of the world is covered with water. Below the Earth’s surface, we are captivated by the beauty of underwater sea life....

09/17/2008 | 153 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

Avoiding Arguments

The Torah says: “Do not be like Korach and his congregation” (Numbers 17:5). [On this, the Talmud explains:] “Anyone who promotes or maintains disharmony transgresses a Torah prohibition” (Sanhedrin 110a). Sometimes we attempt to display our superiority by correcting ot...

02/01/2008 | 364 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

Being Happy a Day at a Time

Everything is for the Best In reality, how much control do we actually have over our destiny? I'm sure that our actions give our destiny a direction, but it sure seems as if the events that take place in our life seem predetermined to a certain degree.

10/09/2007 | 303 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF

Being Happy a Day at a Time

Take Charge and Run Your Life How good does it feel when you do something that you've always wanted to do? I'm sure you already know it's quite gratifying. Then why don't we do this more often, you might ask? A lot depends on you and the type of person that you are. Try to fink...

02/01/2008 | 406 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

Happiness & Health

Judaism says “Happiness is not a happening. Happiness is a state of mind. You can have everything in the world and be miserable or have relatively little and feel a sense of joy.” The question that arises is: How is happiness related to health? Researchers have been studying well-be...

02/04/2008 | 439 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

Hashem Leads Your Footsteps

I won the split the pot! I won the split the pot! 8:30, Thursday morning, I got a call from the yeshivah to tell me the good news. Mrs. Levy?” the lady on the phone asked me. “Which Mrs. Levy is this?” “Evelyn,” I told her, “it's your friend of 20 yea...

09/17/2008 | 143 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

Human Dignity in the Torah

Scholars have noted that human rights are grounded in the Torah and Talmud. The same can be said of kvod habriot (human dignity), which is inextricably linked with human rights and belief in the brotherhood of all humankind. Kvod habriot is a core value of the Jewish religion. One who accepts ...

09/17/2008 | 192 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

Nazi Atrocities—Up Close

Our car traveled smoothly along the paved roads of the German countryside, making its steady way towards the horrific concentration camp. A wealth of natural beauty whizzed past the windows, sending messages of life and renewal to all who took the time to listen. I gazed in silent wonder at the fiel...

09/17/2008 | 197 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

Patterns & Traditions

Can we be so foolish as to think our world is random? The word ‘patterns,’ according to Webster's Dictionary, refers to “a person or thing considered worthy of imitation or copying, or, a model or plan used as a guide.” When we doubt Hashem's hand in all things, we must simpl...

02/01/2008 | 316 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

The GPS and Yom Kippur

I recently had the opportunity to travel with my wife from Cleveland to New York to attend a friend's wedding. Although we originally planned on flying, after learning that the wedding hall was almost two hours away from the airport, coupled with my propensity for getting lost in New York City, we d...

09/17/2008 | 122 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

The Thing About Dreams

It’s late September; last day of September actually. The summer is still hanging around, although the wind has been trying its best to push it away. The summer was something this year. Blue skies, trips to the beach, baseball, no homework, and cuts and bruises all around. When I was...

02/01/2008 | 334 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...

When The Endeavor to Be Helpful Is Helpful

When we meet someone in need, often the primary response elicited in us is to do something. Our child struggling with homework, complaining about a difficult social situation, or a plaintive appeal for help in doing something, will usually evoke a reflexive reaction of wanting to intercede, to do so...

02/01/2008 | 319 Hits | (0 vote) | Print | PDF | Read more...