The Days of Awe and Sukkot: Parallel Lines

Blending the Wisdom of Age With the Energy of Youth

Translated by Hillel Fendel

When the Jewish Nation hesitates at important crossroads in history, it may be because we have to relearn how to use our unique national strengths – each of which is suited for a different generation.

Tu Bishvat – Planting the Jewish People in Their Land

Israel's wilderness stage is necessary preperation for entering the land, but cognition of the fact that the wilderness is not an end in itself constitutes affliction. The Jewish People were created with the purpose of living in the land of Israel.

Rabbi Akiva’s “Inside-Out” Redemption

The Yellow Light

Preparations for Passover include a thorough search for every crumb of leaven in the house. But is this what instills in us a sense of freedom? Is this in tune with the spirit of spring, in which we free ourselves soak in the fresh spring fragrance?

Prayer in Trying Times

If one receives Torah without possessing humility there is a chance that after receiving it he will forget that a great yoke rests upon him to exert himself on behalf of the Torah, to grow and develop in Torah.

The High (Quality) Holidays

We are in an hour of war. An hour in which the Almighty is very close to us. Those who reside in the Land of Israel, and who find themselves on the front line of the battle, are all messengers of God, faithfully carrying out His wishes.

The Pain of Destruction, the Pangs of Birth

Our redemption comes via our own self-sacrifice. Still, all exertion on our part is repaid for generously through God's attribute of mercy, through an outpouring of divine assistance to forward our redemption.

Redemption in its Own Good Time

Precisely a gradual redemption, a redemption which lacks splendor, which evolves slowly and is played out over an extended period of time - precisely this sort of redemption has the power to uplift all aspects of existence.

"The Very Same Fire" - Death and Redemption

One who receives something for nothing does not always know how to appreciate it as he should. The more we sacrifice ourselves for the sake of possessing the Land the greater will our bond with the Land be.

Purim - The War Against Evil

The greatness of Purim lies in the fact that it is a mundane day, an ordinary day. It reflects our true level. On Purim we deal with existence as it is, without any of the special defenses that set apart other holy days.

Shavuot and the True Value of Torah

On the Festival of Shavuot, we must remember this important point: Everything which we learn we learn because the Almighty commanded us to do so, and the true value of Torah study is that it gives vitality to all of creation.