Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from August, 2008

Now

"Too long have we allowed strangers to guard our vineyards without a murmur. It was a crime to wait so long; to delay further is fatal..." These words were written many years ago by Britain's Chief Rabbi, Joseph Hertz. Hertz was bemoaning the lack of good Jewish scholarship on the Bible. Yet, his stirring words are also compelling for relishing our present treasures. What is most valuable is most often overlooked. No day should go by without delving into Torah. No moment should pass without being conscious of the Almighty in our life. No love should go unexpressed.

Look and See

Two blind beggars are sitting across from one another in Central Park. Each carries a sign asking for contributions. The first one reads: "Help me. I am blind." The second reads: "It's May and I am blind." - Robert Gordis Think. Thank. Now.

Seven Worlds

“A man will be a personal witness to seven worlds in his lifetime. A newborn is like a king with his adoring followers. They hug, kiss and vow to protect him. A toddler is like a pig delirious with power. He reaches out and grabs whatever comes within his grasp. An adolescent prances around like a goat. A twenty-year-old neighs like a horse. He dresses and puts on airs in order to find a mate. Then when he has found a wife the man behaves like a donkey. When he has children the man shambles from place to place with no shame like a dog wanting food. When he is old he acts like a monkey.” - Kohelet rabba What does this midrash want to teach? It wants to teach us about the power of change. What are the “worlds” that it speaks of? The “worlds” represent the different viewpoints that the person possesses throughout their years. At each stage of development the world seems to change completely because the personality of the person makes a significant transformation. The worl