The Mizmor dedicated to Shabbat encourages singing Hashem’s praises: “Tov l’hodot laShem u’l’zamer l’shimcha elyon.” [Sefer Tehillim 92:2-3] It continues with the famous pasuk: “L’hagid ba’boker chasdecha, v’emunat’cha ba’leylot.” We should speak about Hashem’s kindness in the “boker (morning)” and His faithfulness in the “leylot (nights).” [1] The Mizmor uses the term leylot to refer […]
We would like to return to the subject of personal growth after focusing on achdus over the last few weeks. In light of current events, let’s focus on the subject of suffering. Though we hope and pray for the best, suffering is a part of life, and is difficult to handle. In addition to dealing […]
After decades of struggles and challenges, in Parashat Vayeishev, Yaakov Avinu aims to settle down and live peacefully. Instead, the conflict between Yosef and his brothers rips Yaakov’s family apart. Triggered by their father’s favoritism of Yosef, as well as Yosef’s dreams, the brothers plot to murder Yosef in cold blood. Eventually, they relent and […]
This week’s parashah describes Yaakov arriving at Shechem “shalem whole.” Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson askes, “What a gift it is to be whole and complete. To be wholesome, unified, integrated, and holistic. How many of us can claim to be whole?” Nowhere does the Bible describe a human being in such a way that he or she was […]
Thanksgiving is a very important holiday for me, and my family and we celebrate it by incorporating both Jewish and American traditions. Our seudah is lavish with extended family joining us and I look forward to the holiday specific “simanim” foods served. (My mother, a veritable “First Lady of Poultry,” makes spectacular turkey that […]