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Parashat Behukotai
“If you keep my commandments, I will give rain in their season.” The Torah describes abundant material blessings for the observance of its statutes. However, motivation by reward and punishment is a juvenile concept. Mature thinking people do good for the sake of doing good. Although belief in reward and punishment is one of […]
Pure Hatred
The Roman emperor Hadrian was a known anti-semite. Once, during a public appearance, a Jewish passerby respectfully greeted the emperor. “How dare a Jew be so brazen as to greet me in public?” cried Hadrian. “Have him killed!” At the emperor’s next appearance, a Jew who happened to be in the area was careful to […]
Parashat Emor
During these weeks between Passover and Shavuot, we have a custom of studying the Ethics of our Fathers. In chapter one Hillel the Elder said, “if not now, then when?” Hillel’s famous statement is a bit puzzling. The simple answer to his question is, “later!” Why can’t we take care of whatever it is […]
If we teach respect, we will find love!
“Children, Mom just called and asked that we stop at the local supermarket.” “But, Dad, isn’t that out of our way?” “That’s right! And it’s a perfect opportunity to show Mom how much we love her! Children: Love is when you go out of your way for someone, not when you get your way through […]
Parashat Aharei Mot
A student once saw the great sage Hillel leaving his academy. He approached the sage and asked him where he was going. “I am going to do a Mitzva for someone poor and forsaken,” Hillel answered. Noting his students bewilderment, he then explained, “I am going to feed my body, it is totally dependent upon […]
