As we saw in the last piece, Pirkei Avot explains that the world was created for the glory of God. Though the whole universe proclaims
For Him Pirkei Avot ends with a powerful and critical message. Building off Sefer Yeshaya, the mishna writes, “Everything that Hashem created in His world,
אמר רבי חנינא הכל בידי שמים חוץ מ צנים פחים שנאמר צנים פחים בדרך עיקש שומר נפשו ירחק מהם (בבא מציעא דף קז:) אמר רבי
Though Hashem controls the world, we are responsible for doing our part. We do not determine the ultimate result but are responsible for making good
Chag Tu B’Shevat At first glance, Tu B’Shevat, the Rosh Hashanah for fruit trees (Mishnah, R”H 1:1-2), seems to be of mere technical significance—the calendar
An Unhappy Place Even though happiness is “the ultimate good at which all humans aim” (Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Book 1), the world has become a
God Intends The Good Yosef Hatzaddik was in a terrible situation. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, he had every reason to feel wronged.
After focusing on achdut over the past few weeks, we return to personal growth topics. In light of current events, we revisit the subject of
לא ארץ נכריה לקחנו, ולא ברכוש זרים משלנו. כי אם נחלת אבותנו שנכבשה בלא משפט, וכאשר היה לקל ידינו השיבונו אותה לנו (ספר המכבים א:טו:לג–לד
After decades of struggles and challenges, in Parshat Vayeshev, Yaakov Avinu aims to settle down and live peacefully. Instead, the conflict between Yosef and his
This week’s parsha describes Yaakov arriving at Shechem “shaleim, whole” (Bereishit 33:18). Rav YY Jacobson asks: “What a gift it is—to be whole, complete. To
Stone or Stones When Yaakov lay down to sleep at Har Hamoriah, he placed multiple rocks around his head (Bereishit 28:11). When he awoke, the
