"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 When catastrophe strikes and disaster befalls you, be assured of only one thing: that God is with you. There are no certainties in life.… Continue reading Plans
The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 The seed of wisdom may be born of fear, but its roots and its fruit are found in love. Where fear of punishment festers, true wisdom cannot reign. Each action is driven by a… Continue reading Wisdom
Place me like a seal on your heart, like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death, zeal is as strong as the grave; its coals are coals of fire of a great flame. Song of Songs 8:6 Love: the greatest, most precious gift. The purest energy, one which cannot be… Continue reading Recognition
One for each night They shed a sweet light To remind us of days long ago... -Oh Chanukah As the candlelight of the menorah flickers and dances, as the light floods the darkest days of the year, our joy and celebration is touched with a melancholy spanning generations. Chanukah, which comes from the Hebrew root… Continue reading Lights
Hashgacha pratit. Divine providence. It's the thread that runs through the fabric of our universe. The point where two roads meet unexpectedly, where worlds collide and familiar faces say, "I know you. I've seen you before." It's hearing the words we need to hear at the exact moment we need them. It's the dawning realization… Continue reading Hashgacha Pratit
This pulsing city, with its stone ramparts and golden sunrise, seems to emanate its own unique energy. The soul of Jerusalem, that city of fire, breathes new life into us and revitalizes the spirit. The aura here is one of mounting tension, of the best and worst varieties. This is the center of the universe,… Continue reading Ode to Jerusalem
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, has passed. The great ledger has closed. But is our time for atonement truly finished? The Hebrew word most commonly associated with atonement is teshuva. During the weeks leading up to Yom Kippur, it is our objective to do teshuva, atone for our sins, ask forgiveness of those we've wronged, and await our… Continue reading Return
Tomorrow is Rosh Hashannah, the New Year for Jews all around the world. Rosh Hashannah is not only the Jewish New Year: it is also more accurately known as the Day of Judgment, or Yom HaDin. Are you ready for judgment? Is anyone ready? The frenzy of the world has reached a deafening speed. The… Continue reading Day of Judgment
The fall is for the sake of the ascent. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, Likutei Moharan II, 12 When the profundity of the world escapes you, search even more diligently for God. The destination, after all, is the journey. When darkness overcomes, lack of inspiration creeps in, and the mundane overwhelms your sphere of existence, remind… Continue reading The Fall
The great secret - the key to everything - is love. Our ability to love is evidence for God's existence. Without God, there is no love. And in fact, we are taught by the wisdom of our ancestors that God created us because He loved us. When Genesis says that we are created "in His… Continue reading Love
The Singing Soul 