This week’s parsha describes the two very different situations in Jewish life that have been present throughout our long history as a people. One situation is when we inhabited and controlled our own land – the Land of Israel. That is clearly indicated in the opening words of the parsha – ki tavo – when you will come into your land. The second much more difficult situation is outlined... READ MORE →
This summer, as usual, Destiny Foundation conducted its annual weekend retreat at Kibbutz Lavi in the Lower Galilee section of Israel. Being the city dweller that I currently am, I must admit that I rarely leave Jerusalem and thus do not get to see and appreciate the natural beauty and wonders of our wondrous country. But the journey to and from Jerusalem-Lavi-Jerusalem (and by different routes)... READ MORE →
הקיץ ערכה קרן דסטני, כהרגלה, את מפגש סוף השבוע השנתי שלה בקיבוץ לביא שבגליל התחתון. כעירוני, מה שהנני כעת, אני מוכרח להודות שרק לעתים נדירות אני יוצא את ירושלים, ולכן לא יוצא לי להעריך את היופי הטבעי ואת נפלאות ארצנו... READ MORE →
פרשת השבוע מתארת שני מצבים שונים מאוד בחיים היהודיים, מצבים שהיו קיימים לכל אורך ההיסטוריה שלנו כעם. מצב אחד הוא כאשר אנחנו שוכנים בארצנו, ארץ-ישראל ושולטים בה. ברור שזאת הכוונה בדברי הפתיחה של הפרשה - "והיה כי תבוא" -... READ MORE →
Jewish homiletical tradition has dealt with the “enemy,” who is being warred against in the opening verse of the parsha, as being the evil instinct of the “warrior” itself. In the immortal words of the famous cartoon character Pogo, “we have met the enemy and they are us!” This is in consonance with the words of the Talmud that the opening topic of the parsha – marriage to the... READ MORE →
Charisma – the ability to attract others and make them believe in your persona, abilities and charm – is a much sought after commodity in today’s society. In the famous fable regarding the tortoise and the hare, even though the tortoise eventually wins the race, we would still, in the main, wish to be the hare. We love the flash of brilliant insight, the devastating quip, the broad... READ MORE →
Prayer, in its most formal sense, comprises an important part of daily Jewish life and ritual. Daily morning, afternoon and evening services are the staple rhythm of activities in every synagogue and home throughout the Jewish world. There are many dimensions of prayer in Jewish tradition and thought. And perhaps no subject has been explained and scrutinized as closely in the writings of the... READ MORE →
The Torah is in favor of a lawful, peaceful, ordered and fair society. In order to begin to achieve this lofty goal, the Torah commands us to have a competent legal system of judges and courts and also having police able to monitor and enforce the courts’ decisions and policies. The Torah demands this not only of Jewish society but of all of human society as well. A just and efficient... READ MORE →
Though Thomas Jefferson was undoubtedly a great intellect and a skilled political leader, I have never been given to carefully dissect his writings in order to discover subtle philosophical nuances and deeply hidden meanings. Usually, for me, only Torah contents are worthy of such scrutiny, for their messages are eternal and relevant for all times, circumstances and every generation - and indeed... READ MORE →
Moshe seemingly interrupts his long oration to the Jewish people about their history and destiny with a surprising review of the year’s calendar holidays. The calendar has always been central to Jewish life and survival. Under the dark regime of Stalin, Soviet Jewry was forbidden from owning or possessing a Jewish calendar. The depths of loyalty of Soviet Jewry, to their inner faith, is... READ MORE →
