Love and Reverence
This Shabbat, think about all the wonderful gifts that you have been given by our Father in heaven. When Joseph revealed himself to his brothers with the words “I am Joseph,” why did he…
The Cedar and the Hyssop: A Lesson In Humility
One of the most challenging categories of Jewish law is the one associated with lashon harah (which literally means ‘evil speech’ and refers to gossip and slander). What is assumed…
Bo 5760-2000
"Rational Love and Emotional Love: A Lesson from T'fillin" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this coming week's parasha, Parashat Bo, we read of the concluding three plagues: locusts,…
Chastisement with Love
“Reprove a wise man, and he will love you” (Proverbs 9:8). Not too many people respond to criticism with increased affection. Even when it comes from someone whom they know has the best…
A Love Song For Shabbat
The relationship between God and the Jewish people is often compared to a marriage. This is one of the reasons why Lecha Dodi (Come My Beloved)*, the refrain of which refers to…
Love in the Liturgy
Most people would identify prayer as a vertical endeavor: Mortals communicating with God. Yet, as we will learn, there is a beautiful custom to begin our prayers by thinking horizontally,…
Work of Love
“Shemayah said: Love work; scorn public office [positions of prominence] and seek not undue intimacy with the authorities” (Pirkei Avot/Ethics of the Fathers 1:10). When conjuring up…
Forgiven Love – A Parable
The last parasha (weekly Torah reading) of the Book of Exodus focuses almost exclusively on the conclusion of the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Already though, a fair number of…
Rebuke With Love
When having to punish or rebuke, it can still be done with love and compassion.
Love Those with Whom You Disagree
Practice the love of those who are different from you, which was one of the great lessons of Rav Kook.