January 2013 - Silence / Sh'tika
“To everything there is a season . . . a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3)
As January begins, a time for silence seems like a belated Chanukah gift. December was hectic, active and loud. And . . . something inside of us might crave a bit of quiet.
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December 2012 - Moderation / M'tinut
“Moderation” . . . not a topic that often comes up in the month of December. In fact, this month is typically defined by excesses: gift giving, eating, celebrating, and traveling. And so, I would argue, what could be a better time to practice this middah or Jewish value of moderation?
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November 2012 - Friendship / Y'didut
"When you're down and troubled, and you need a helping hand...you've got a friend." (Carole King)
Where would we be without our real friends? They pick us up, they challenge us to grow, they laugh at our jokes, they have our trust...and we have theirs. Read more of this article...
May 2012 - Serenity / Menuchat ha-nefesh
September - October 2012 - Giving Justly / Tz’dakah
It’s not unusual to hear the following on a Sunday morning at our school: “Mom, don’t forget, I need some money for tz’dakah.” Obligingly, the parent reaches into her purse or behind the seat of the car and pulls out a few coins for the child to give to charity.
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May 2012 - Serenity / Menuchat ha-nefesh
Ah...serenity. Flowing water and a cool breeze. Meditation broken only by the song of a bird in the trees. True peace. But is the Judaism?
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April 2012 - Order /Seder
“All of your actions and possessions should be orderly -- each and every one in a set place and at a set time. Let your thoughts always be free to deal with that which lies ahead of you.” (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Lefin of Satanov)
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March 2012 - Truth /Emet
In Hebrew, the word “emet” / “truth” is spelled aleph-mem- tav. Our rabbis teach us that because these are the first, middle, and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, "emet"/truth is all-encompassing.
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February 2012 - Compassion /Rachamim
The Hebrew language is generally built on three-letter roots. For instance, kodesh, k’dushah, kaddish, and kiddush all have the root letters koof, dalet and shin and all relate to holiness or sanctity. Rachamim, the Hebrew word for “compassion” is built on the three letter root: resh, chet, mem, or “rechem”, the Hebrew word for “womb.”
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January 2012 - Joy /Simchat
The Book of Proverbs teaches: “A joyful heart makes for good health; despondency dries up the bones.”
Thank you for your recommendation Dr. Proverbs. Would you like to see me for a follow-up? On some level, many of us recognize that good health and happiness are interrelated. And yet, achieving a level of “joy” / simchat can seem illusive. Read more of this article...
