Have you ever fallen in love? You know, the head-over-heels, sweaty palms, heart pounding, can-think-of-nothing-else kind of love? If you have, it is sadly somewhat likely that you also have fallen out of love. While there are wonderful couples who manage to keep the love going strong for the long term, the fifty-plus-percent divorce rate …
“Let them eat cake!” Popularly attributed to Marie Antoinette, this quote has entered our lexicon as an expression of the callousness and obliviousness of the royalty and upper class to those less fortunate. Although the attribution to Marie Antoinette is doubtful, the concern that those in power not lose touch with the masses is an …
A corpse. A corpse on Union Street, New Orleans. It is seven years later and I still cannot get the vision out of my mind. In the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the New York Times ran a story* about a corpse that remained on the street for days, without anybody giving it much more than a …
“I don’t care what anyone else thinks, I do what I know is right!” Ever come across someone with this attitude? Have any friends or relatives like that? Strong minded. Not easily swayed by trends and fads. A person of principle. While such people are usually not exactly the warm and fuzzy types, making them …
Parshas Re’eh – Doing What’s Good and What’s Right Read More »
As someone with a lousy (read: nonexistent) sense of direction, a GPS is one of the best gifts I ever received. However, even the GPS was no match for my poor (read: nonexistent) sense of direction – I still managed to “outsmart” it and get lost; though it admittedly occurred with less frequency. So I …
The words parents hate to hear…”But Ma, all the other kids have it!” (Spoken in an appropriately whining, nagging tone.) Parents hate to hear it because it is so effective. We can’t seem to say “no.” But it’s ultimately to our child’s, and society’s, detriment. This week’s Torah portion discusses the Rebellious Child, one who …
Immediately following its opening sentences, the Shema contains the following powerful verse: “And you shall love the L-rd, your G-d, with all your heart, all your soul, and all your resources” (Deuteronomy 6:5). This raises an obvious question: Can one be commanded to love? Love is the most sublime of human emotions, originating from the depths of ones …
Parshas Ve’eschanan – Saying “I Love” and Meaning It Read More »
It’s that time of the year again. Shofars are blowing, apples are dipping, briskets are cooking, and honey is sticking. But, most importantly, G-d Himself is calling. With apologies to Andy Williams, this is the most wonderful time of the year. Now admittedly, many Jews view the “Days of Awe” as more awful than awesome, but that …
Parshas Nitzavim/Vayelech – The Most Wonderful Time of Year Read More »