The Praying Thief: Faith or Self-Deception? Imagine someone involved in financial fraud and actually asking G-d for help in the enterprise. It seems illogical but the person tells himself, “I support important charitable causes and with this endeavor I will be able to donate a wing to a hospital in Israel. Please, G-d, allow me […]

Our Mezuzah Has Seen It All Having a Mezuzah on a doorpost is an ancient Jewish practice whose source is found in the Torah. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your homes and your gates. (Deut. 11:20) It stands like a watchman every time we pass it when going in or out of […]

Doing Ritual Without Being Habitual This Parsha is a long speech given by Moses reiterating the basic deal the Almighty offers us: if we observe the mitzvot—even the “small” mitzvot—He will keep the promises made to our ancestors. A public speaking evaluator might analyze it in one of two ways: Moses’ speech was meticulously prepared with conscious […]

When playing basketball, you better be aware of the coach’s existence because it affects the way you conduct yourself at practice and at the game—even off season. If you get involved in an activity the coach frowns upon, it might jeopardize your chance of being successful on the team.  The same is true of being […]

 Consider the following:“Clean up the mess you made” (i.e., you made the mess, now clean it up).   “Go find the keys that you lost” (i.e., you lost the keys, now go and find them). “Fix the window you broke.” (i.e., you broke the window, now go and fix it).   “Throw out the food you burned.” (i.e., you burned […]

You will eat and be satiated and bless G-d, for the Land that He gave you.(ibid. 8:10).When we eat a meal with bread, we recite special blessings afterward, the source of which is found in the verse above. Two questions: (1) Does G-d really need my blessing? (2) Many world religions have blessings connected to […]

Prayer is a prominent topic is this week’s Parsha and its effects can never be overstated. We have no idea of its power, whether to alter a decree, to incur favor, or simply to demonstrate our love for the Almighty in recognizing all the goodness we-friends and family-receive. Emotionally healthy people pray for positive things; […]

Who feeds you manna in the wilderness, which your forefathers did not know, in order to afflict you and in order to test you; to do good for you in your end? (ibid. 8:16) Question: Why is manna-which fell daily-called an affliction and a test? Ancient Jewish wisdom says that the manna was Heavenly food; […]