This week, we witnessed a remarkable miracle in which, despite the danger, no lives were lost. The Rebbe’s teachings about Entebbe and the blessing of Shehecheyanu show us the difference between a great rescue marked by loss and a complete miracle in which everyone comes home safely.
The Candy that Became a Tradition
Sometimes the things that become part of Jewish life are not the things anyone planned or designed to become traditions. Sukkot and the Four Species teach us that every Jew has a different role, and that at every stage of life, there is something unique that we can contribute to the whole.
Can AI understand the language of animals?
Scientists today are using artificial intelligence to try to understand the language of animals, but Jewish tradition tells us that there were people who could already understand what animals were saying. The Torah gives us a fascinating perspective on the voices of the animal world.
Why Doesn’t Sukkos Have Its Own Signature Dish?
Every Jewish holiday revolves around an iconic food, but Sukkos seems to lack its own unique dish—unless eating itself is the entire point.
When the Ocean Comes Closer
Sometimes we think our lives are standing on solid ground, only to discover that the ground beneath us can change. On Yom Kippur, the story of Jonah reminds us that life is like a stormy sea, and that Torah and mitzvot give us the vessel we need not only to survive, but to help others reach their destination.
Kol Nidrei: More Than Winning the Lottery
Israel’s remarkable numbers tell a story that statistics alone cannot explain. Behind the country’s longevity, strong families, and high levels of happiness is a deeper Jewish idea: a meaningful life is not a life without problems, but a life in which we know that we are part of something greater.
Kol Nidrei: Our Father or Our King?
When we ask G-d for a good year, we call Him "Our Father" (Avinu) and "Our King" (Malkeinu)—because love draws us close, but reverence keeps us going.
The Jewish view of a Four Day Workweek
In recent years, there has been extensive public discussion about a four day workweek. The idea is no longer merely theoretical, and it raises a deeper question: if technology eventually frees people from the need to work, what will they do with that freedom?
The Rebbe’s Shofar Was Not a Sad Sound
Rosh Hashanah is more than the Day of Judgment. On this day, we come to crown G-d as King over the world, willingly accepting His sovereignty upon ourselves. The story of Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks offers a powerful insight into the meaning of the shofar on this day.
Why Dance on Judgment Day?
A high school student once told me that in sign language, a Jew is shown as someone with a beard — and that made me wonder: how would you sign “chasid”?