Mail -- it's one of those things you cannot live with and cannot live without. On the one hand it is a useful way of communication, on the other hand, it never seems to stop and it just keeps piling up. As a rabbi, you might not be surprised to learn that almost every Tzedaka organization in the world seems to have my shul on their mailing list.
I am embarrassed this morning. I am embarrassed for two reasons. I am embarrassed that this week my computer imploded and I am faced with the loss of all of my 'creative writing' for the past five years. Why I am embarrassed about this? I am embarrassed that I am so upset about this!
There is a place tucked away in the alleyways of the Holy City; its structure is not grand and it has no massive lobby and certainly no parking lot. The building is not impressive and it is not on the list of the ten ‘must see' places on most people's itinerary when they come to Israel. That's too bad, because it really is a place to visit. It is a place to daven. It is a place to learn.
As I glanced at the news this morning, I could not help but feel pain and sympathy for the survivors of the massive earthquake which racked Nepal on Shabbos. As of this writing, there have been over 4,000 confirmed deaths and that number may rise in the coming days.
On March 9, 1959, “Barbie” was born. Since then, “It is estimated that over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold worldwide in over 150 countries, with Mattel claiming that three Barbie dolls are sold every second.” (Wikipedia) The iconic doll which has become symbolic of the unique American materialistic culture has been the object of both communal desire and controversy. The doll's critics have claimed, “the doll gave girls
There are no words which can be said. There are no words which can console. There are no words which can ease the pain. The heart is pained, the eyes are full of tears and the entire body is numb. As we slept soundly in our beds on Friday night, a Beis
