Archive for November 2021
The Eternal Victory of Chanukah
One, less than serious, answer to the question of why we eat an abundance of fried foods during the glorious days of Chanukah is that we do so to counter the Greeks and their worldview. Because the villains of the Chanukah story exalted the human body and the beauty of its form, we eat particularly…
Read MoreAnd One for Your Friend
I’m still smiling as I recall this short, but super sweet episode that happened earlier this evening. I went to treat myself to some ice cream (self-care activity.) I was on my way to the second ice cream store, having not been able to decide what to get in the first. I thought maybe walking…
Read MoreHakitzu VeRanenu #17: The Supernal Source of “Pekidah” and “Zechirah”
In the early days of the stage of Pekidah, there was a strong sense of nationalism; personal sacrifice to return to the Land and rebuild it, to erect the world that had been destroyed. In truth, these feelings were – at their root – awesomely elevated, for the flowed forth from the future stages of…
Read MoreGrowing Up
You should see the way his eyes sparkle when he lovingly holds his brand new kippa in his small hands. You should see the smile, wide as the heavens above, that spreads across his face when he kisses his choo-choo-train emblazoned tzitzis that proudly declare in green lettering, “Ani Ben Shalosh!” It’s finally coming, his…
Read MoreHakitzu VeRanenu #16: Two Stages of Geulah – “Pekidah” and “Zechirah” (Part Two)
The foundation of the distinction between Pekidah and Zechirah and their natures is explained by the Ramchal (ibid): And you must know the Pekidah takes place through Yesod, while the revelation of Zechirah occurs through Tiferes. Therefore, these two movements provide strength to Moshiach Ben Yosef and Moshiach Ben David to bring about the final…
Read More