The Torah is full of lessons for everyday living, which can be found not only in the statements and actions of great leaders like Moses, but even in the behavior of animals.
We can affect change in this world and influence the order of events. Our good deeds affect change for the better, and our misdeeds can affect change for the worse.
All year round, we must battle the forces of darkness by adding more and more light to the world. Chanukah reminds us that this is a battle we must face every day.
The menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum, is the oldest symbol of the Jewish religion and modern symbol of the State of Israel. A nine-branch variation is used for the observance of Chanukah - the Festival of Lights.
Concern for our material possessions does not represent indulgence, but the opposite. We learn this lesson from our forefather Jacob and the Festival of Sukkot.
The Lulav is the classic symbol throughout Jewish literature of the importance of balancing our priorities in life, which should include caring for our fellow human being.
Just as the purity of the body is essential in Judaism, so too is the unity of the Jewish people as a whole. We are one body, one family, and one soul.
The Temple’s bricks and stone have been destroyed, but the Divine Promise still stands. The Temple will be rebuilt and until that day Zion will never be forgotten.
A leader wants to see his flock become successful on their own. This is certainly true in the material dimension, and it is just as true in the spiritual dimension.
The weekly portion features one of the great villains in the Torah, providing a great opportunity to discuss some of the other evil-doers in the Bible.
Setting goals is our road map for life, but the most important part is the follow through--taking every last step necessary to turn aspirations into reality!
Even when the letter of the law is on your side, you don’t necessarily need to enforce your every last right. Sometimes making concessions is the wiser choice.