Sparks – by Rabbi David Aaron
(print version)
Bonding or Bondage
Why Serve the Divine?
...
Small Tastings of Torah, Judaism and Spirituality from Rav Binny Freedman
(print version)
Having only recently completed their basic training, they...
Sparks – by Rabbi David Aaron
(print version)
Dating the Divine
Celebrating love
...
Small Tastings of Torah, Judaism and Spirituality from Rav Binny Freedman
(print version)
An open road, on a beautiful day, your kids in the back seat, perhaps a packed picnic lunch; what could be more perfect? What thoughts go through your mind at such times? Is your mind focused on all the challenges tomorrow always seems to bring, or do you take the time to appreciate the moment? Are you listening to the news about a recent referendum vote, the country...
Sparks – by Rabbi David Aaron
(print version)
Wonder Bread
Tapping the Transformational Power of Faith
During the seven days of Passover we are required to eat only...
Small Tastings of Torah, Judaism and Spirituality from Rav Binny Freedman
(print version)
There are moments in time one needs to forget. And yet, so often, these same moments, we really need to remember. Such a moment came into my life on August 9th (the twentieth of Av) 2001.
An innocent, beautiful afternoon in the heart of Jerusalem surrounded by the music of children's laughter. Lives full of promise captured in a mother's hug, or a young soldier's grin. The fulfillment of years of toil viewed through the contented sigh of an old man, leaning on his walking stick as he watches his grandchildren enjoying the treat of an ice cream on a hot summer's day.
All of this magic, ripped apart by the nuts and bolts, explosives and hatred of a suicide bomber in a Pizzeria. It was one of those moments you try not to think about, that you decide to put behind you. For me, it is relatively simple to let go of such moments. I hug our children...
Timely Torah by Rabbi Sam Shor
(print version)
The Seder Night -
Redeeming the Power of Speech
Among the many incredible messages inherent in the Passover Seder experience is the fundamental idea of sacred speech....
Sparks – by Rabbi David Aaron
(print version)
Look Who...
Small Tastings of Torah, Judaism and Spirituality from Rav Binny Freedman
(print version)
One wonders whether the messiah and the redemption he is meant to bring still have not come because we are still waiting for him, or because he is still waiting for us...
Sparks – by Rabbi David Aaron
(print version)
Sick Minds, Sick Bodies
The power of our beliefs to heal or harm
The Jewish Sages gave a spiritual rather than physiological explanation for the disease tsara'as (generally translated as "leprosy") which affected not only the body but also clothing and the walls of houses. According to one source several sins could possible be the cause:
R. Shmuel bar Nachmani said in the name of R. Yochanan: Because of seven things the plague of leprosy is incurred, namely, slander, the shedding of blood, a vain oath, incest, arrogance, robbery and envy. (Arakhin 16a)
However, most Sages concur that the main cause for tsara'as was slander and gossip.
HOW CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE PHYSICAL IMPACT OF OUR MORAL AND SPIRITUAL ACTIONS?
The Kabbalah teaches that the world you and I live in is a product of our perception of reality. The philosopher Immanuel Kant probed this concept. He asked: Do we see reality or do we see our perception of reality? Kant's answer is that we...