CategoryRosh Hashana

A special peace-deal was signed this week in Washington, which ignored the dictums of “land-for-peace” or the “two-state-solution.” Where did those ideas come from, and what ensured Israel’s establishment?

The Baal Shem Tov taught that everything we see and hear can teach us a lesson in serving G-d. COVID has seen a rise in dog-ownership. What lesson can we learn from dogs and their relationships with humans?

Concepts that have become the lingo in the past half a year, like recession, debt and stimulus, all have Jewish parallels. How do Jews deal with a spiritual recession?

Many people would be happy to delegate Mitzvos, like Tefillin, Shabbos and Yom Kippur. Still, we are told to do them ourselves. Because, just as in your own business, “nobody is going to do the dirty work for you.” How does that apply to Jewish education?

Rosh Hashanah prayers have a unique focus on G-d “remembering” various women in Jewish history. The common thread – He “remembered” them with a child. On the importance of bringing Jewish children into the world – both physically and spiritually.

The Baal Shem Tov taught that G-d grants us a good year on credit. We might assume that we don’t pay very well, but the Rosh Hashanah prayers reflect our relationship with G-d as His only child, and for an only child, there is always more credit available.

How are we to judge a politician, a potential suitor, or prospective work partner? Do we dig deep into their past or evaluate them in the current state? The answer can teach us a lesson about how we approach questions about Judaism, and how we approach G-d on Rosh Hashanah.