The Straight Way (2003)
If I wasn't afraid, if I wasn't lazy, if I wasn't concerned about kavod what would I do? Yaakov's name means crooked. The word "Akov" means insidious. Esav defined his brother Yaakov's essence according to his name. He is deviant, perverse, corrupt and crooked. "That...
A Good Heart (2003)
You can rely on a good heart. Avrohom Avinu had gone through so much and had achieved such great heights. At an age of almost one hundred years, his mind was in the Heavens. It was at this supremely spiritual stage of his life that he was faced with a very down...
The Journey Inward
When you journey inward you begin with the outside and you work your way in. Abraham was told to go on a journey to the unknown - "to the Land which I will show you." "Lech Lecho! - Go out from your country, from your birth place and from your father's house." The...
Chesed – Changing the World (2003)
For one hundred and twenty years Noach prophesied the end of the world - yet not even one single Baal Teshuvah! Noach spent 120 years building an ark, deliberately stretching it out so that people would ask questions, hear about the oncoming world crisis and repent....
Saving the World!
It didn't even occur to Noach to pray! Until Abraham no one even thought of the idea. Last week I decided that I wanted to pray at the burial place of Rebbe Yehudah HaNasi. Rebbe Yehudah was the author of the Mishna and one of the greatest and bravest rabbinic leaders...
Why Did Cayin Kill Hevel?
Isn't it amazing that the first and most profound murder in world history was committed because someone wanted to get closer to G-d?! The two brothers were dividing up the world and the question of the Beit HaMikdash came up. Of course each one of the brothers...
Testing the Waters – Our Responsibility to the World
Noach was responsible for the whole world! As the flood subsided Noach faced an awesome responsibility. The entire future of the world was on his ship. If he docks his boat too early the future may be lost. At the end of the fortieth day Noah opened the window to his...
Moses the Peacemaker
How Moshe made peace between Hashem and Aharon, and what we can learn from this regarding ourselves and our children.
Shabbos Hagadol
Parshas Vaeira 2002
"I have come to set you free! G-d has made me a messenger to facilitate the Geula!" But the hopeful and encouraging words of Moshe fell flat. "They did not listen to Moshe because of shortness of breath, kotzer ruach, and because of strenuous work" What is this...