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 →
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 →
One of the impossible tasks in human life is undoing the past. Perhaps even more tragic, and even unfair, is judging the past by current norms and standards. Yet no matter what we attempt, the past always rises up to bite us. Since all of us make mistakes in our lifetimes, the past is always a danger to us. In the scheme of things we are always remembered for our past failings rather than for... READ MORE →
It should be obvious to all except the most delusional of us that Europe does not like Jews, Judaism, Israel and anything that reminds it of those subjects. Germany almost banned circumcision. They reasoned (?) that since the baby didn’t consent, his civil rights were being violated. But vaccinations are certainly allowed without the baby’s permission, as is enforced school attendance and... READ MORE →
Part of the collateral damage being inflicted upon our current Western democratic society by the loosening of all moral and legal restraints on speech, assembly and sexuality is that there is apparently no longer any meaning to the concepts of shame and disgrace. Unbridled arrogance and inflated personal ego rule the world of politics, religion and public life. A convicted felon serves as one... READ MORE →
חלק מהנזק הסביבתי שנגרם לחברה הדמוקרטית המערבית מביטול כל המגבלות המוסריות והחוקיות על דיבור, התכנסות ומיניות, הוא שמושגים כמו בושה וחרפה איבדו כל משמעות. יהירות שלוחת רסן ואגו אישי נפוח שולטים בעולם של הפוליטיקה,... READ MORE →
המהפכה האחרונה במצרים, שסילקה את האחים המוסלמים מהשלטון (זמנית?) משקפת את חוסר היציבות המתמשך ואת הסערות שמאפיינות את העולם הערבי. המערב וארצות הברית הופתעו ונדהמו, כרגיל, מאירוע ולא היו מסוגלים להשפיע על... READ MORE →
The recent revolution in Egypt that removed the Moslem Brotherhood from power (is it only temporarily?) reflects the ongoing instability and cross- currents that dominate the Arab world. As usual, the Western world and the United States were surprised and overwhelmed by the event and completely impotent in attempting to influence this outcome. The mindset of the West, proven over and over... READ MORE →
There was a time not that long ago when those entering the field of the clergy did so in response to what they felt was a calling. This meant that there was somehow a Heavenly instinct within them that called them to the service of their faith and its adherents. This idea was promulgated and publicized especially after the Reformation changed the face of religion in Europe in the non-Jewish... READ MORE →
פעם, לא מזמן, אנשים שבחרו לעסוק בכמורה עשו זאת מפני שהם הרגישו שזה הייעוד שלהם. זאת אומרת שהיתה להם מין תחושה משמים שקראה להם לשרת את הדת שלהם ואת מאמיניה. הרעיון הזה הופץ והתפרסם בעיקר אחרי שהרפורמציה שינתה את פני הדת... READ MORE →
