Originally featured on Arutz Sheva. I used to say that automatically, without much thought. Sure, I had been dreaming of Israel since childhood, but the concept of living in Israel was still a nebulous thought, a reality that seemed far removed from this bastion of Western Civilization, the United States. Fast forward to Pesach of… Continue reading “Next year in Jerusalem.”
We must start over every day, and sometimes many times each day. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov Chanukah, which comes from the Hebrew word for “dedication,” is a beautiful holiday of lights. During winter, the darkest time of the year, we light up the nights in remembrance of days long ago. Chanukah was a time of… Continue reading Rededication
How does one begin to recount all the memories of a place? How can I relate to you the smells of Machane Yehuda, the spices intermingling with the freshly baked loaves of bread, the vague odor of sweat and fish all merging with the cacophony of voices? The shouts of “Banana, banana, banana!” Can I… Continue reading A Taste of Israel
What do we do when we want God in our lives? We must invite Him in. Our relationship with God must be a constant invitation. In everything we do - "when you sit in your house, and when you walk on the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:7)… Continue reading Home
Do not fear for I am with you; be not discouraged for I am your God: I encouraged you, I also helped you, I also supported you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 When darkness falls, and the terrors of the night creep in, carry God's light with certainty, assured of His protection. When… Continue reading Fearless
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 