Bring a Chair I have already written in this space about the need for enormous sensitivity during this period, about the need for a safe,

 “ ְהִי רָצוֹן שֶׁתִּשְׁרֶה שְׁכִינָה בְּמַעֲשֵֹה יְדֵיכֶם”” — May God’s Shechina (spirit) rest upon you. This is one of the most beautiful brachot one can

  Light and Joy, Gladness and Honor … in Goebbels’ Retreat Just before Purim, I received this incredible photo which shows a turnabout reminiscent of

On the 14th of Adar, we celebrate Purim. The principal mitzvot of the holiday are reading Megillat Esther, giving gifts to the poor, sending packages

Lighting Our Own Flame A few years ago, a rabbi visited a school in Alaska to speak about Judaism. At the end of his lecture,

Anticipating the Month of Joy It feels like we are on an emotional roller coaster: We are feeling deep mourning for all those who were

Coming Down From Sinai Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz derives an important life lesson from this week’s Torah portion of Mishpatim. He writes: “The most unusual part

What Is Your Response to Reality? I am writing from the plane, on my way to New York, to meet more of the Jews who

Parshat Beshalach: Complaining During The Miracle One of the most incredible texts I have ever encountered explores a verse from this parashah, describing the Splitting

The Jews of October 8 “Since October 7, we’ve been making Kiddush every week. No matter where we are or who is present, I will

What the Families Of the Hostages Need Now We are in the midst of an extremely tense and turbulent time with the drawn-out return of