With the incapacitation of its Prime Minister, Israel is undergoing uncertain times. In common with synagogues all over the world, when the seriousness of Ariel Sharon’s condition became known, we sent out an e-mail calling for a prayer gathering and urging those who could not attend to pray independently for…
Month: March 2006
The Art Of Disagreement
Having just moved from Britain to Colorado in the United States surprisingly my wife and I are undergoing a culture shock. We have been disarmed by the friendliness of people and, compared to the UK, how inexpensive petrol (gas) is. We are also repeatedly surprised by how many regular products…
God’s Response to Reality TV
Millions of people all over the country tune in on a daily basis to watch a group of ordinary people living their lives. Big Brother fervour had grabbed the nation once again. But hang on, what is so attractive about watching ordinary people doing ordinary things? How is it that…
Make A Real Relationship
Life is all about relationships. We have work-related relationships, we have acquaintances, we have friendships, familial and intimate relationships. Maimonides, one of Judaism’s greatest scholars, wrote that man is a social animal. We have no choice but to interrelate with other people. It is relationships with others that allow us…
For Conflict Resolution
The history of the ego is a deeply unpleasant one. Millions have sacrificed their lives for it, it has shattered families and broken hearts, it has been the main cause of war, famine, poverty and murder. Like it or loathe it however, egos are a fact of life, they have…
We Must Regress
My three-year old son Dovi and I were waiting for my wife Sheindy and my 22-month-old son Benny to walk through the arrivals gate at Gatwick Airport. Sheindy had been on a visit to her parents in Israel for five days while I spent some quality time Dovi. As Sheindy…
The Kabbalah of Lust
The headline in the Sunday Times read: ‘Stop feeling guilty: lust is good for you’. I was intrigued and read on. But I was disappointed; the article did not actually say that lust itself was good for you. It was predicated on an essay written by Professor Simon Blackburn saying…
Guns & Roses: Are They Compatible?
When I was a child growing up in London, my Mom strictly forbade us to play with toy guns. Other friends received toy guns as birthday presents from their parents and grandparents, but no such toy was ever to be found in our home. In fact, my parents never let…
Show Me the Gratitude
There was a time when children saw it as their responsibility to look after there ageing parents. Today unfortunately we live in a very fast-paced world and if one wants to get ahead one must put in those billable hours. Often this leaves little time to dedicate to those around…
Relationship Guidance From God
Thousands of self-help books have been published offering guidance to men and women pursuing romantic relationships. With so much help at hand one might have thought that this generation would be experiencing the most fulfilling relationships ever. The reality however is that the divorce rate is at record levels and…