018 Current Events – Next next steps in Gaza
I'm frustrated by the ongoing stalemate over next steps in Gaza, where high-level talks involving Prime Minister Netanyahu, Jared Kushner, and U.S. representatives have hit a wall on advancing a 20-point plan—stage two can't begin because Hamas refuses to fully disarm and surrender weapons, even after most hostages, living and deceased, have been returned. A recent discovery of around 200 armed Hamas fighters trapped in a tunnel inside Israel's controlled zone has them pleading for U.S.-brokered negotiations to avoid capture or worse, but from Israel's view, they should have laid down arms long ago as part of the deal. The [...]
Misconceptions in the Torah, Kedusha and holiness
In this week's video, we tackle a fundamental misconception within the Torah: the meaning of Kedusha. Many people mistakenly translate this word as holiness, but I want to explain why that is actually a misnomer in a Jewish context. While holiness often implies an inherent, supernatural quality, the Jewish concept of being Kadosh is about being set aside for a sacred purpose. Whether it is an object dedicated to the Temple or our own lives as a people, Kedusha is a status we achieve through our actions and our commitment to a specific mission. By understanding that we are commanded [...]
The Sedra Vayakehl 5783
There is nothing quite like the smell of hot food wafting through a home on Shabbat morning. In this week's portion, Parshat Vayakhel, the Torah explicitly prohibits lighting a fire on the Shabbat day. This raises a fascinating question: If we cannot light a fire, how can we enjoy a hot meal? The answer lies in the Oral Law and the wisdom of our Sages. We learn that while lighting a fire on Shabbat is forbidden, benefiting from a fire lit beforehand is a fulfillment of Oneg Shabbat, the delight of the day. In this video, we explore why eating [...]
The Sedra Vayeshev 5783
This video explores a profound moral distinction in this week's Torah portion, Vayeshev, focusing on the difference between physical effort and intellectual effort regarding sin. Specifically, it examines Reuven's intervention to save Yosef by convincing his brothers to cast him into a pit rather than murder him directly. The discussion utilizes Jewish law and the teachings of Maimonides to explain why directly killing someone is deemed a graver sin than leaving them to die, highlighting that physical effort elevates the significance of an action. Finally, this lesson is applied to everyday life, urging viewers to put active effort into their [...]
20 Creativity Tips
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What’s On Your Booklist
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