Ki-Teitzei
Going out to war is not always a bad thing – so long as it is going “out” to war and not going “in” to war.
A plethora of Mitzvoth, connections, are iterated: from captives, burial, and found objects, to laws of mixology, intimacy, and immoral behavior. Laws of slavery, military camps, and economics, to marriage, fiscal responsibly, and divorce. Amalek (also symbolic of doubt) is the mortal the Jewish people. We always must remember Amalek and how they tried to squash our freedom as we left Egypt. We must erase any semblance of this darkness from the face of the light earth.
Ki Teitzei: Time To Sing
I realized and continue to realize the deep grief of so many tormented souls; children whose lives were forever altered because of a self-indulgent, sick adult.
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Ki Teitzei: Religion and Dysfunctionality
Our calling is to marginalize (and possibly eliminate) so-called “religious” behavior that feeds the stereotype of close-minded, unevolved and condescending religiosity. And more importantly, reintroduce the alternative – faith and religion that allows man to actualize and shine in his full glory.
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Time To Sing
I realized and continue to realize the deep grief of so many tormented souls; children whose lives were forever altered because of a self-indulgent, sick adult.
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Ki Teitzei: Nine Eleven
September 11 marks the day when this battle turned global. Now our time has come to not be afraid, but to rise to the occasion and find ways to bring on personal and global redemption.
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Ki Teitzei: Childhood Innocence and Blood
Beheading of Steven Sotloff: At times like this don’t you just want to curl back up into your fetal-like childhood innocence? An essay on staying innocent in a psychotic world.
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Intimations of Divorce
The fact that divorce is possible within human marriages is the result of the existence of the concept of “divorce” in the marriage relationship between G-d and man.
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The Immigrant’s Credo
A letter from the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe discussing Divine Providence and G-d’s help with sustenance.
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Financial Fears
A rabbi rebukes two men, a miser and a charitable man, for dealing with money fearfully.
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The Difficult Lamb
The meekness of the sheep, no matter how difficult a problem it poses, can also be reclaimed as a virtue.
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A Haven In Time
The twenty-nine days of Elul offer an isle in time, a sanctum for introspection and self-assessment, for atonement and rehabilitation.
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Amalek’s Number
Amalek is doubt. Baseless, irrational doubt that cools the fervor of holiness with nothing more than a cynical shrug.
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The Rebbe on the 60’s
G-d is not asking that we demolish walls or break down doors, only that we open up to him as the point of a needle.
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Staying Married
The Baal Shem Tov told a story of a dejected bride. The story is an allegory for the Jewish people’s relationship to G-d.
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Remember What Amalek Did to You: Symbols of Wine and Vinegar
A Chassidic discourse on “Remember what Amalek did to you on the road when you were going out of Egypt.” The symbolism of wine and vinegar.
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A Cup of Vinegar
What is the connection between Shabbat and Amalek and why did the people of Israel have a problem with remembering both?
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Ki Teitzei: United Or Ununited States ?
Vital life issues about the nature of the universe and our place in it are answered in the opening verse in this week’s Torah portion…
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Ki Teitzei: I Am To My Beloved and My Beloved Is To Me
In the last few centuries different approaches developed to find some way to relieve the tension between faith and modernity. This essay considers this idea
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Work and Play – Yesterday and Today
Work and play- a critical examination of the difference between an American and European approach to the work/life balance, which poses fundamental questions…
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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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I Am to My Beloved and My Beloved Is to Me
G-d and daily life simply doesn’t get along. Is there a simpler way to define the grand Tzimtzum? Is there a more tangible expression of the Tzimtzum?
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Are you Battle-Weary? Transcending Life’s Struggles
The secret to winning your battles lies not in your fighting skills and strategies, but in your attitude and mindset even before you engage in battle.
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Winning Life’s Battles
Do you feel the world is a war zone and your life, a series of ongoing battles — psychological, emotional, at work, at home, with family, friends, or strangers? Does the world you live in tend to feel friendly or hostile?
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