ב"ה
Vayakhel-Pekudei 5767 - March 16, 2007
Living
Left or Right?
Left or Right? Each one seems to be presenting arguments with a valid core. Let us examine the Torah's perspective on the issues being debated.
Left or Right? Each one seems to be presenting arguments with a valid core. Let us examine the Torah's perspective on the issues being debated.
Sitting in a Café
A strange thing has happened since my diagnosis. It seems that G-d's voice has grown louder. Too loud, sometimes...
A strange thing has happened since my diagnosis. It seems that G-d's voice has grown louder. Too loud, sometimes...
Look Out For Those Pegs!
Building your child’s character requires focusing on the “big” issues; but it also means not neglecting the “minor pegs” grounding his values.
Building your child’s character requires focusing on the “big” issues; but it also means not neglecting the “minor pegs” grounding his values.
Parshah
The Parshah in a Nutshell
The Israelites donate abundant materials for the construction of the Tabernacle. The holy vessels, tapestries and walls are completed and the priestly clothes are sewn. Moses initiates Aron's family into the priesthood, errects the Tabernacle and the Divine Presence rests upon it.
The Israelites donate abundant materials for the construction of the Tabernacle. The holy vessels, tapestries and walls are completed and the priestly clothes are sewn. Moses initiates Aron's family into the priesthood, errects the Tabernacle and the Divine Presence rests upon it.
Community, Individuality, and Why It's Frustrating to Have a Brain
Vayak'hel and Pekudei: why they are joined (some years), why they are separated (other years), why Vayak'hel comes first, why Vayak'hel took Pekudei's name and Pekudei took Vayak'hel's, not to mention the fact that both Parshahs appear to be almost entirely superfluous
Vayak'hel and Pekudei: why they are joined (some years), why they are separated (other years), why Vayak'hel comes first, why Vayak'hel took Pekudei's name and Pekudei took Vayak'hel's, not to mention the fact that both Parshahs appear to be almost entirely superfluous
The Inside-Out House
Betzalel, the prototype architect, objected to the order. "A person first builds a residence," he argued, "and then makes its furniture..."
Betzalel, the prototype architect, objected to the order. "A person first builds a residence," he argued, "and then makes its furniture..."
The Antidote
Moses' first act after receiving Divine pardon for the Golden Calf sin was to gather the Israeites and speak to them regading the observance of the Shabbat. Couldn't Moses have found something more ennobling to tell them at that moment?
Moses' first act after receiving Divine pardon for the Golden Calf sin was to gather the Israeites and speak to them regading the observance of the Shabbat. Couldn't Moses have found something more ennobling to tell them at that moment?
The Nineteen-Year Marriage
The easiest thing to do would be to get a divorce and follow one path through life, but Jews are notorious for their refusal to accept the easier solution
The easiest thing to do would be to get a divorce and follow one path through life, but Jews are notorious for their refusal to accept the easier solution
The Moon and Us
To an ancient Greek or a Hindu, passive stillness is masculine, activity and motion are feminine. To a Taoist, action is masculine and passiveness is feminine. In other words, if it is a virtue it is masculine. The Jew turns the pyramid on its head
To an ancient Greek or a Hindu, passive stillness is masculine, activity and motion are feminine. To a Taoist, action is masculine and passiveness is feminine. In other words, if it is a virtue it is masculine. The Jew turns the pyramid on its head
Judaism
The Child and the Slave
Turnus Rufus asked Rabbi Akiva: “If your G-d loves the poor, why doesn’t He feed them?”
Turnus Rufus asked Rabbi Akiva: “If your G-d loves the poor, why doesn’t He feed them?”
The One Dollar Life
Open your wallet. Take out a single dollar bill. Place it on the table in front of you. Take a long, contemplative look at it. In many ways, this is the most spiritual thing you own
Open your wallet. Take out a single dollar bill. Place it on the table in front of you. Take a long, contemplative look at it. In many ways, this is the most spiritual thing you own
Israel Goy
How could a Jew be so indifferent to the needs of his brothers and sisters? People started referring to the rich miser in their midst as “Israel Goy,” and the epithet stuck
How could a Jew be so indifferent to the needs of his brothers and sisters? People started referring to the rich miser in their midst as “Israel Goy,” and the epithet stuck
Women
Brick by Brick
When the Jewish nation was still very, very young, we began setting aside materials for our own marital home. Our wedding was still hundreds of years, and hundreds of miles, away . . .
When the Jewish nation was still very, very young, we began setting aside materials for our own marital home. Our wedding was still hundreds of years, and hundreds of miles, away . . .
The Doctors Say I’m Dying!
A few years ago I was diagnosed with a terminal illness but was told that I had at least another twenty years to live. Last week, at my appointment, I was told that things had changed and I had at best another year or two left...
A few years ago I was diagnosed with a terminal illness but was told that I had at least another twenty years to live. Last week, at my appointment, I was told that things had changed and I had at best another year or two left...
Challah Role
I have found, in my experience of making challah, that there is a personal lesson and meaning not just in the final product of the bread we eat, but in the process of making this holy bread itself.
I have found, in my experience of making challah, that there is a personal lesson and meaning not just in the final product of the bread we eat, but in the process of making this holy bread itself.
Holidays
Passover A to Z
A quick overview of the Passover process, from preparing for Passover and the getting-rid-of-Chametz rituals, to all eight days of Passover. The details are in the links.
A quick overview of the Passover process, from preparing for Passover and the getting-rid-of-Chametz rituals, to all eight days of Passover. The details are in the links.
My Plastic Pharaoh
I'm glad my kids feel so free. As for me, I'm still a slave and Pharaoh, king of Egypt, never died. I labor for him all week long
I'm glad my kids feel so free. As for me, I'm still a slave and Pharaoh, king of Egypt, never died. I labor for him all week long
Telling Stories
Once upon a time, many years ago when we were little, we knew the importance of the story
Once upon a time, many years ago when we were little, we knew the importance of the story
Why should you awaken, and why should you arouse the love until it so desires?
— Song of Songs 8:4
Print Magazine
How to unmask a blessing in disguise:
Stare it in the face and say, “I know you are not just a lousy day or bad luck. I know you are a good friend—even if for the life of me I cannot determine how. I know there is only one Source of All Things, and nothing can convince me that evil descends from Above. Evil descends fr...
New on CoralSpringsChabad.org
Honor a Loved One Through the Timeless Gift of Mishnah Study
Honor a Loved One Through the Timeless Gift of Mishnah Study
Honor a Loved One Through the Timeless Gift of Mishnah Study