Noticing the Unusual

By Rabbi Zischa Shaps The story of Bilaam and his donkey always reminds me of the old joke of a woman who is pushing a baby carriage down the street. A passerby smiles and says, “May I see the baby?” He looks into the carriage and is shocked to see a tiny old man...

Through Our Own Lens

Imagine this: You have a friend – let’s call him Bob. Bob complains to you: “Nobody likes me. Nobody wants to hang out with me”. “That’s not true!” You exclaim. I am having a bunch of friends over tonight. Come join us.” Everyone comes over, and Bob does too. All of...

When Life Moves, and When Life Pauses

In this week’s Torah portion, Beha’aloscha, the Jewish people continue their journey through the desert. But they do not travel according to their own schedule. The Torah tells us: “Al pi Hashem yachanu, v’al pi Hashem yisau”“By the word of G-d they would camp, and by...

Lag B’Omer: The Fire Inside

Lag B’Omer, the thirty third day of counting up from Passover to Shavuot (the day that Hashem gave us the Torah) which took place this past Tuesday, is a day of fire. On the outside, we see bonfires, singing, warmth, and celebration. But like everything in Judaism,...