Government
The role of government is to strike a balance between individual rights and the greater good of the community. Yet no political system has been able to perfect this balance.
A civilized nation needs to be built on a foundation of morality and ethics that is timeless and unconditional. At the same time, a nation’s survival is dependent on its constant progress and growth. Since people are bound to have vastly different beliefs, who should define the standards and morality and justice that must rule all people? At what point does a government intervene to keep an individual from harming himself or others? How do we avoid the abuse of power by government leaders? The challenge is to harness our freedom, to channel it for good and righteous purposes.
Korach: Why Do We Need Leaders?
‘Why do we need a leader’ is the precise theme of this week’s Torah portion. Korach challenges Moses to an important question about the need for leaders.
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Toldot: Mixing G-d and Politics
A response to the thousands of emails written about the previous essay which discussed the notions of “conservative” and “liberal” belief in America…
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Vayeitzei: Balance
The Torah chapters from the beginning of Genesis outline the story of our life’s mission and from here we can learn much about ourselves…
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The Rebbe on the Six-Day War
Three times in our generation G-d granted us an opportunity for the beginning of the Redemption but they were missed & it is the Jewish leadership to blame.
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Vayelech: A Year In Perspective
As we enter the new year, this essay reflects on the past year, the lessons learned, challenges encountered and meaning made…
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Why Do We Need a Leader?
Why do we need a leader? The so-called ‘leaders’ around us – political, business, sports, entertainment – are essentially at best nothing more that good administrators, or people driven by aggressive ambition that allowed them to climb the leadership ladder. I am not even addressing the rampant corruption surrounding leaders that we are all aware and reminded of continuously.
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Vayigash: 2006
As we conclude the calendar year – my 50th on earth – it’s an appropriate time to examine the past year’s events, and attempt to place them in perspective.
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Chanukah: An American Holiday
Both the American Revolution and Chanukah’s message of freedom and transcendence is as relevant today as it was two millenniums and two centuries ago.
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Joseph & Marx – Work & Alienation
Joseph possessed the unique power to integrate spirit and matter in an imperfect world where materialism dominates. Let us learn how this can be achieved.
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Future of the World
This week’s Torah portion deals with the theme of war. Here we take a look at two visions on the war against Israel.
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