There is a Gemara (Talmud) in Ta’anit which has bothered me for many years. In it (23a), Rabbi Yochanan tells us that all his life, Choni HaMa’agal (of “circle-in-the-sand-until-it-rains” fame) […]
jewish thought
Actions Over Words When it comes to the practice of our Judaism, people often say it’s important to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. This means that it’s […]
One of the things Hashem (God) has blessed us with, in the miraculous workings of our body, is peripheral vision. This refers to the ability to detect motion and movement […]
The Conversation About Celebrities Some years ago, I was speaking to a respected rabbi, and the topic turned to celebrities and stars. I spoke about how overblown egos and salaries […]
Where Do Ideas Come From? I recently wrote about miniatures, like small bottles of liquor or toiletries, and how people have an unusual affinity for them. One of my readers […]
The Challenge of Purim Drinking This Purim, I shared a rather unpopular idea at my Purim seudah (party). I referred to the well-known and oft-quoted words of the Shulchan Aruch […]
As I sit here writing this piece in Jerusalem, I’m enjoying a brief respite from the near-constant sounds of the new train station being built right outside my window. It […]
As December marches on towards the end of the year, I’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon. All sorts of companies are producing “Year in Review” e-mails to remind me of my […]
In Mishlei, King Solomon tells us, “Daaga b’lev ish, yashchena;” If a person has worry in his heart, he should quash it. The Gemara1 teaches that R’ Ami and R’ […]
One of the hardest of the Ten Commandments is the direction that we not be jealous. Not killing, not stealing, not worshiping idols? I think most of us feel pretty […]
