In this week’s parsha, Vayeilech, Joshua’s appointment as successor to Moses is confirmed. Succession is a sensitive and challenging process fraught with both personal and political implications.
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What does it mean to stand firm, especially against all odds. The Jewish people’s resilience is unparalleled- 3500 of history, far outstripping the longevity of any other nation, culture, race or society by far. What is the secret of such resilience?
You plan. You work hard. And success comes. What next? Enjoy the fruit of your labours. Take a much-deserved vacation. Relax. Not according to the opening verse of this week’s Parsha, Ki Tavo. When success comes, the first thing you do is give part of it away!
People argue. When the argument becomes fuelled by emotion, the argument can escalate into war. When societies and countries argue, the venom may reach a critical point that war erupts. Judaism is a pacific pathway.. Jews are noted for being peaceful, living in a neighbourly way wherever in the world Jewish societies are found. Gentiles…
Society may have the wisest judges but without an effective police force, the judges’ wisdom remains but empty words. And the converse is also true: having a strong police force without the wise direction of judges leaves society at the mercy of indiscretion.
There is a wonderful teaching in Pirkei Avot, the section of the Talmud devoted to the wisdom-teachings of the Masters of old. Therein it is asked, “Who is the wise one” – and responds – “he who is able to see that which is to be born”. Cryptic it may seem, but is telling us,…
You recall the wonderful experience of walking upon the shore of the sea watching a beautiful sunset over the distant horizon, and becoming aware of your feet sinking comfortably into the wet sand. You turn around and see the freshly embedded footprints carved out in the sand and become aware of other faded footprints left…
We are all familiar with the anecdotal traveller who argues vehemently with the gate steward to allow him onto the plane though he has arrived too late, but to no avail – and then that very plane crashes. This is the theme of this week’s Parsha, Va-etchanan, where Moses pleads with G-d to allow him…
The book of Devarim is basically a repetition of the previous four books. So why repeat what we already have received?
Being the saddest day in the Jewish calendar, Tisha B’Av is commemorated with many of the traditions observed during the period of mourning for a loved a one. Many of the customs are observed form the evening of Tisha B’Av until the end of the day (25 hours later). The purpose is to bring an…
The 9th day of Av (Tisha B’Av) is a day of national Jewish mourning as it is also the anniversary of some of the of most tragic events to befall our people. Below is a list of major tragedies that occurred or began on this date. 1312 BCE – After the exodus from Egypt the…
The Megilat Eicha was written by the profit Jeremiah after the destruction of the First Temple on Jerusalem (586 BCE). We provide you with a very brief synopsis and a link to the full text below. Chapter 1Jeremiah describes the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the people – the sorrow, the betrayal, the…
A two part series presented by Rabbi Menachem Wolf exploring: How hate can be unlearned The spiritual power of reconciliation.How forgiveness redesigns the nature of creation itself Drawing on the wisdom of Kabbala and blending contemporary anecdotes Rabbi Wolf will hopefully free up much of your emotional capacity. Part 1 Part 2
