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CONVERSATIONS WITH G-D
Generally, we use our verbal skills to communicate our needs to others, or to respond to others’ needs. There is usually a utilitarian goal in mind — a piece of information we wish to hear, or a request we would like to convey.
But these conversations, as important as they may be, do not [...]
Continue reading about Dude are you talking to yourself again
Moses Vs Ego
“An egotist is a self-made man who worships his creator.”
—John Bright, 19th century British Statesman
Leaders must believe in themselves—otherwise no one else will. Their confidence in their abilities must be strong as well as resilient.
But they cannot allow self-assurance to become arrogance. As one saying puts it: “It’s okay if other people think [...]
Continue reading about Moses Humblest Man on the Planet says he.
MUNDANE SPIRITUALITY
Spirituality gets a bad rap. Mention the word to the average fellow and it will probably evoke images of eastern gurus dressed in psychedelic caftans chanting at dawn. Even those more Jewishly inclined will most probably aver that to be spiritual you need to have a long white beard, talk softly and spend full [...]
Continue reading about I Spirituality Mundane or did God Just Talk to me
JUSTICE
The great part of this weeks’ Parsha is concerned with laws of society (damages, criminal law, debts, etc.), an area popularly regarded as beyond the strict province of “religion.” Our world has succeeded in defining the rightful sphere of religious influence, immunizing other aspects of life from the demands and criteria of religion. Morality itself [...]
LUFTMENTSH
Once upon a time, Yiddish speaking Jews coined the phrase luftmentsh to describe that incurable dreamer type who is always building castles in the sky. Luft means air and someone who lives in the air with pie-in-the-sky fantasies qualifies for this title of dubious distinction. “If only this deal comes off, I’ll be set for [...]
Murderers and thieves are punished: Logical.
Your ox gores mine — you pay: Logical.
Don’t mistreat widows, orphans or converts: Logical.
Don’t boil a kid in its mother’s milk: ????
This week’s Torah reading is called Mishpatim, which literally means “laws” but refers specifically to the logical, self-evident systems that all societies in all eras have accepted and protected.
However, [...]
When every dimension of heaven was folded upon the Earth at the reception of the Torah, as fine bed sheets upon a mattress, it was then that G-d said, “I have come to my garden, the place I most desired from the beginning.”
The angels were stunned. Here they are, praising their Creator in sublime harmony [...]
In Parshas Mishpatim there are many laws. The vast majority are civil laws. Among them, however, are laws which reflect the depth of sensitivity of The Creator.
“When a man will steal a bull or a lamb, and sell it or slaughter it, he shall restore five bulls for the bull (he stole), and four sheep [...]
Continue reading about Parshas Mishpatim – The Perfect Blend
For decades, athletes sought to break the four-minute mile. Sports writers wrote off this potential feat, claiming that human athletic prowess had reached its zenith. Then along came an Englishman, Dr. Roger Bannister in 1954, and without realizing it, propelled human potential to dizzier heights. He also heralded the mind-over-body movement that continues to dominate [...]
