Archive for November 2020
Don’t Ruin the Rare “Neshama Sighting”!
You are at the zoo with the family on a lazy summer Sunday. As you enjoy watching the cute little Capuchins perform their antics and marvel at the majesty of the elephants, something catches your eye. You notice a crowd of people crowding around one of the enclosures over by the lions or the bears.…
Read MoreThe Greatness of the Mekablim
It has long been suggested that the world is split into two kinds of people – givers and takers; “Mashpi’im u’mekablim”. I think this truth comes to the fore particularly in the area of Torah study, especially with regard to matters of “hashkafa”. There are those who feel comfortable wading into the vast ocean of…
Read MoreUnderstanding “Chassidishe Kana’us”
I received the following question and thought it might be something others have wondered about as well. I know the answer is more complicated than can be properly treated over a short Facebook message, but I think it is a start. Question: Hi! I have a question about the different sects of chassidut… These sects…
Read MoreA Sentence is Completed
A few minutes ago, I was working on a future book, merrily pounding out words on the keyboard and minding my own business when something suddenly caught my eye. As I typed, I noticed a small creature, so tiny it was barely there at all, scurrying frantically between the keys on my laptop. It is…
Read MoreThe Ocean of the Talmud
The term “Yam HaTalmud” traditionally serves as a metaphor for the Gemara’s breadth. However, perhaps even more so, it must be seen as a reference to its awesome and mysterious depth. The black and white columns of static letters ebb and flow; questions and answers, challenge and resolution, Halacha and Aggadah. Those with sensitive hearts…
Read MoreLikutei Moharan – Where to Begin?
Although it is known as one of the most difficult and formidable of the Chassidic works, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov’s Likutei Moharan also contains lessons that are more easily understood which prove very useful for beginners who seek a doorway into this wondrous world of Torah thought. In this list, I have, b’siyata d’Shmaya, compiled…
Read MoreTeshuvah
A blank paper A ready pen A steady hand An open mind A broken heart Wrapped as one in The gentle stillness before Sunrise Silent melodies Endless opportunity Echo in the corridors of Spaces not yet Formed All is still All is ready “Ana zamin l’m’hevi” Ready to become.
Read MoreBirkhas Kohanim at the River Danube
A poetic tribute to the 20,000 victims of the Danube River massacre of December 1944 – January 1945. Yehi zichram baruch. Hashem yinkom damam. They leave their shoes At the River Danube And the gates of an Altar called Auschwitz The Chazzan’s Voice It echoes Along the banks Of a raging river It sings softly,…
Read MoreVision at Neilah
We can never stop mourning That which we never truly lost The end of the destruction – The beginning of the rebuilding A two-thousand-year process Of pain and prosperity Mortar-mixing, bricklaying, interior designing Work-related injuries Freak accidents Casualties Menorah made out of Blown-out candles Mizbeach made out of Six Million sacrifices Building the spiritual structure…
Read MoreThree Candles
Wall of candles Wall of warmth A strong scent of melting wax fills the corridor Readying to enter the silent chamber of prayer and tears Hopeful Alone A single candle flickers I knock I enter The tears flow A year later Shattered halves reunited Blissful Thankful Dry bones brought to life I return to this…
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