A hug conveys a special sense of esteem, fraternity and love. Hug your cherished family members.

While a hug is an appropriate way to express a sentiment of love to a family member, the Torah requires the person with covetous desires to overcome or suppress those prohibited thoughts. To appreciate the Torah’s teaching to love God and thereby avoid inappropriate feelings that appear to be normal human emotions, read this enlightening thought entitled “Can the Torah Forbid Feelings that are Part of Normal Human Emotions?” from Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald’s Torah message on this week’s Torah portion, Yitro. Out of respect for the Sabbath, please consider printing it on Friday afternoon if you plan to read it on Shabbat.