12 Lessons
Where Was G-d in the Holocaust?
The question in the headline is not one that is simply "asked;" it is rather cried out in pain! Unlike many questions that do not have an intellectual answer – such as, "Where was G-d when a baby died yesterday? Where was He during a variety of catastrophes that have occurred throughout history, some even worse than the Holocaust?" – it is specifically the Shoah that continually ignites anew the "Where was G-d?" debate. Delving deeper, we note that the reason for this actually directs us towards a more profound issue. Our question is actually a cry of despair that the Shoah appears to justify. For the Holocaust did not sprout up in a vacuum
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Nissan 28 5782
Teshuva: Don't Expect a One-Shot Deal
Yom Kippur is less than a week away, and for many of us, its approach is cause for unease and disquiet. Precisely during this period of the holy High Holidays, poisonous doubts creep into our thoughts and hearts: "Last year I asked forgiveness for my sins and errors; I prayed from the depth of my heart; I promised myself I would not fall into the same traps – and behold, it didn't work! So what's the point of all my teshuva [commitment to return to one's true inner self]? Will anything be different this Yom Kippur than last time or the time before?"
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Tishrei 4 5782
Why a *Nation* Is Needed to Fulfill G-d's Plan
The Divine Idea reaches full expression only in the form of national Jewish life in the Jewish land – and not simply via individuals, no matter how righteous they may be.
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Elul 19 5781
The Value of Nationhood
Translated by Hillel Fendel
In the Book of Shmot, we are no longer individuals, as in Breishit, but rather begin to appear in history as a Nation. Why is a national framework so critical?
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Sivan 14 5781
A Little Order in the Turmoil
It is possible to see order even in the turmoil we are in. Order meaning control; control means that there is direction and there is a purpose; in other words, there is Gd!
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Sivan 2 5781
A Very Pessimistic Man
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Tamuz 11 5780
A Second Wave of Postponing Our Immediate Needs and Satisfactions
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Sivan 9 5780
What is to become of our money?
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Iyar 17 5780
The month of Iyar-"for I am the Lord, who heals you".
Rabbi Haggai Lundin
Beginning of history
The concept of time was created on Nissan. Until then, people lived as the Egyptian lamb - without a shepherd and without purpose.
Rabbi Haggai Lundin
Adar - the month of laughter
The month of Adar is known to be the month of happiness and laughter. Laughter appears when a person feels full identification with a particular content. The month of Adar is a month of a great effort to compare our will with the will of God.
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Shvat 5773