The Pandemic took a toll on all of us. We lost loved ones and lost our sense of connection and togetherness. In Israel as well, many were impacted by Covid. Tour guides were among the most affected by the disappearance of tourists. Meir and Nesanel, my two older sons, are both licensed tour guides, and... Read more »
Hey there! 👋 This is Episode 1 of 10 of XL on the Soul. I hope you enjoy it! (Here’s a link to the Intro to the Series in case you missed it.) There’s SO MUCH stuff going on in our lives: work, school, relationships, the personal stuff we’re working through. It’s easy to feel... Read more »
In previous productivity steps we planned our work (Step 1), put systems in place to keep our people informed and in sync (Step 2), rolled up our sleeves to get work done (Step 3), and identified strategies to sustain the momentum we’ve built (Step 4). This post goes deeper on Step 5, Leading for Maximal... Read more »
Time sometimes allows memories to fade. Sometimes, time causes memories to intensify. The latter is the case with me. This past Sunday was the seventh Yahrtzeit of my mother Leah bas Meir and Ita A” H. My mother’s life was one of the wandering Jew. She lived in various Jewish neighborhoods, which time and time... Read more »
IS THE CHOSEN PEOPLE A RACIST IDEA? Part 1: Defining the Meaning of “Chosen People” The Questions – “Chosen People” raises many different questions: Why does any group need to be chosen or different from everybody else?2. Is the existence of a single chosen group within mankind an ideal situation?3. What exactly does it mean to be chosen?4.... Read more »
Recently, we spoke about ayin tovah – positive perception of others. Ayin tovah is a beautiful thing. It’s something we all value. Something we all wish we were better at. Because, yes, many of us could do with a fair measure of ayin tovah improvement. Why? Why do so many find it so challenging to... Read more »
The special simcha of Purim is built upon the contrast between what many call coincidences and what we understand are actually hidden miracles. Let’s begin with an obvious question. Why is the holiday called “Purim” (a drawing of lots)? Why doesn’t it have a name which is related to one of the main themes of the... Read more »
In previous productivity steps we planned our work (Step 1), put systems in place to keep our people informed and in sync (Step 2), rolled up our sleeves to get work done (Step 3), and identified strategies to sustain the momentum we’ve built (Step 4). This post goes deeper on Step 5, Leading for Maximal... Read more »
We are already in the midst of this joyous month, when many authorities maintain that increasing simcha is an obligation throughout the entire month. There is a discussion in the Achronim regarding leap years when there are two months of Adar, if this increased level of joy commences with the first day of Adar I... Read more »
In memory of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who deeply felt and beautifully sang the song of Torah, Jewish life, and Hashem’s world. Torah as Song One would have expected the Torah to conclude with a seminal law or philosophical idea. Instead, it ends with Shirat Ha’azinu — with song. Chazal understood this usage of the term... Read more »
