Parshah Columnists

Rainfall is not a random occurrence. It’s a blessing that comes directly from G-d.

Joy is considered a must for true mitzvah observance, and we are encouraged to find ways to stay happy.

What is your “why,” how will you keep it nearby, and how will you honor the shared cultures of your life?

Many spirited debates have been held on the necessity of fearing the Almighty. Many feel that only love is needed, and associate fear as a negative emotion in relation to G-d.

It is easy to feel that we own our achievements. Charity? It's my money! Gratitude? For what? This is all my work!

If G‑d wants us to "perform the true service simply because it is true," why does He distract us with promises of recompense? Is it a proper to give someone an incentive if it's essentially not in his or her best interest?

Why on earth do we thank G‑d with a blessing about bread from the heavens? The bread we eat, bread grown from the ground with great investment of toil and time, is categorically different from the manna in the desert, which miraculously descended from the heavens each morning of their 40-year sojourn.

In every Jewish soul there exists a spark of Moses. And in every generation, there is a Moses who imparts that inspiration to the people of his time.

Is it Reb Yisroel or Am Yisroel?

By struggling to improve our moral character, we become more accomplished beings.

Are there "minor issues" in Judaism? That depends if you view your Jewish identity as a static state, or as a dynamic system

Our verse implies that our unconditional connection with G‑d is itself conditional! Can that be right?

Can a person’s relationship with his Creator be expressed in a scripted prayer? Is it possible to dictate the feelings one should be conveying to G-d?

It’s understandable that if you had to rely on a daily miracle to eat, you’d always feel hungry.

Isn't it strange how just because someone is wealthy there is a widespread perception that they are automatically imbued with all other attributes as well?

The primary focus of our interactions with others should be to ensure that they have food to eat and to welcome them to our tables.

It seems that the old adage “money can’t buy happiness” has some truth to it. Although wealth has as much as tripled over the past fifty years, mental illness has increased at an equal rate.

As much as I try to be vigilant, the transitions on the Web are so smooth, and the options are so tempting, that it’s too hard to monitor what the kids pull up.

“Oh, you little boy,” said the man, resting his free hand on the little boy’s shoulder, “you don’t know what it’s like to have to schlep rocks. When you’ll be big like me, you’ll be happy with a little oven too.”

What we have is a bunch of leaders who take special courses on how "not to say what you think, rather what is acceptable," and to "never ever verbalize your bigotry for there might be a secret recording device under your chair."

If we accept the premise that people in the ancient world were easily enticed to worship idols, G‑d's command to destroy the idols makes perfect sense...

Of course, a large number of small quantities add up to a much larger quantity. But there is also another reason why the "small details" are so important...

When we awaken in the morning, we express words of gratitude, before and after we eat, once again gratitude. Before we go to sleep, some more gratitude.

The manna was more nourishment of soul than of body, and many Jews were left unsatisfied

Why does man gain sustenance from lower life forms?

The common conception of how the system works is faulty. People see a career as "making a living." But a career doesn't "make" anything

If life is full of meaning, why am I spending it hustling other people for their money?

America has spawned many wonderful myths. The most wonderful thing about these myths is that they can be made true. There is, however, one American myth that is very dangerous, particularly for us Jews.

We must never forget that life started to become more manageable only after we admitted that we were powerless. If any good has happened since then, it is not as a result of anything we have done...

When we speak, we tell others who and what we are. But when we listen, we allow others to tell us who they are.

In Eikev Moses sets out a political doctrine of such wisdom that it can never become redundant or obsolete. He does it by way of a pointed contrast between the ideal to which Israel is called, and the danger with which it is faced.

Many of us struggle with happiness, dissatisfied with the hand we’ve been dealt. But it’s all based on our perspective and perception.

Since G‑d can’t be seen, it is possible to occasionally forget that He is here.