Leading to Greatness
The exchange was brief and simple in its content, yet profound in its implications. One morning this past summer, I davened at a shul in Passaic, New Jersey. Passaic was our new home as of mid-July,...
View ArticleA Tragic, Shameful End
Throughout the past week we have thanked Hashem for the improbable defeat of the powerful Seleucid forces by a small, untrained band of Jewish fighters. We also celebrated the story’s one open miracle,...
View Article‘No Lord, Not Me!’
Humility is perhaps the least understood quality a person may possess. Often it is perceived as a form of meekness, a reticence that stems from a lack of self-confidence or an unwillingness to stand up...
View ArticleFrom Good to… Good Enough?
I can testify from experience, however, that despite such experience and/or training, top-tier leaders often begin their tasks unprepared for the rigors of their new position, particularly when the...
View ArticleWalking A Mile With Their Cell Phones
For our children, technology is not just another activity that is forbidden on Shabbos.
View ArticleNot Your Ordinary Scribe
As a guide to others and a foremost member of the Great Assembly, Ezra provided strong leadership and a moral conscience to a people that had lost its way.
View ArticleThe Painful Path To Destruction
For breaking his oath of allegiance, Tzidkiyahu was forced to witness the death of his sons before he himself was blinded and exiled to Babylon.
View ArticleIs An Ideological War Winnable?
"If Israel's offering of land, economic improvements, and even autonomy will not help, what will?"
View ArticleBack To School: Make This Year The Year
While there is no formula that will work for everyone, there are some strategies that if followed carefully and consistently can help our children – and us – gain the most from the upcoming school year.
View ArticleThe Official Holiday Of Jewish History
Of all the Jewish holidays, I would say Sukkos is far and away the least appreciated.
View ArticleDriven To The Truth
Where did this incredible strength come from? What drove these Jews, who had nearly lost all of their national identity and spiritual connectivity, to risk their lives by standing up against one of the...
View ArticleHerod: Hasmonean Death Knell
He ruthlessly crushed the revolt, and, despite lacking official Roman sanction, ordered the rebel leaders put to death without trial.
View ArticleChallenging The Status Quo
Great leaders like Miriam and like Sarah Schenirer possess the capacity to challenge the status quo that confronts them.
View ArticleUnrestrained Joy
A central concept in any discussion about happiness is achieving clarity. “Ain simcha ela k’hataras hasefeikos” – there is no joy as that experienced with the removal of doubt.
View ArticleCombatting the Haman of Today
The Holocaust was the latest attempt of Amalek to destroy the special bond that we enjoy with God.
View ArticlePurim Fest 5775
Until recent times, every powerful nation that has ever ruled the world has been fundamentally anti-Semitic.
View ArticleFrom Rejection To Redemption
In which specific respects are we to attempt to “relive” yetzias Mitzrayim?
View ArticleThe Chillul Hashem Of Disrespecting Non-Jews
We must create an atmosphere of complete intolerance for such conduct, while reminding our children that we can take pride in our unique and distinctive purpose without knocking others.
View ArticleSeeing The Bigger Picture
The reaction is so strong that nine times out of ten, parents engage in some form of coping mechanism before arriving at a level of acceptance of a special-needs diagnosis.
View Article
