I wrote about this last year, but I am writing about it again as I have more sources to share. First, let us discuss the

The first word in Parshat Vayikra seems strange in the way it’s written. Instead of writing the whole word, Vayikra, in the same size font,

I always wanted to learn martial arts as a child, but my parents didn’t let me. They were afraid I would use it on my

Cleaning ladies—don’t even get me started! Once, or maybe twice a week, she is welcomed into my house to decide where everything should go and

Two groups headed out on separate roads. One accompanied a coffin to the cemetery. The other escorted a couple to their wedding. They all froze

Many sensitive people have been struggling with the precise balance to strike in Purim celebrations this year. On the one hand, there is clearly a

I am writing from base while on shemira duty (guard duty). I have just returned from Gaza for a three day rest. A recent hot

One of my favorite lessons is Rabbi Menachem Leibtag’s approach to Megillas Esther which he reads as a satire. The Megillah, a story which every

וַיִּ֣בֶז בְּעֵינָ֗יו לִשְׁלֹ֤חַ יָד֙ בְּמׇרְדֳּכַ֣י לְבַדּ֔וֹ כִּֽי־הִגִּ֥ידוּ ל֖וֹ אֶת־עַ֣ם מׇרְדֳּכָ֑י וַיְבַקֵּ֣שׁ הָמָ֗ן לְהַשְׁמִ֧יד אֶת־כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֛ר בְּכׇל־מַלְכ֥וּת אֲחַשְׁוֵר֖וֹשׁ עַ֥ם מׇרְדֳּכָֽי׃ “But it was demeaning in [Haman’s]

At first glance, it seems like the holiday least appropriate for the situation in which we find ourselves—totally incongruent with our mood and state of