ב"ה
Vayikra (Leviticus)
Vayikra
How do we properly assess our accomplishments and our shortcomings, avoiding both grandiosity and low self-esteem?
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Vayikra
My work was stunted. My ideas were disjointed. I felt ill at ease with my life and with my accomplishments.
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Tzav
Almost overnight, Iran was transformed from a pro-Western monarchy to an anti-Western authoritarian theocracy. Expressions of anti-Jewish animosity intensified. Pamphlets threatened “death to the Jews,” as a wave of anti-Israel sentiment swept the country.
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Tzav
Perhaps nothing captures the indifferent spirit of our times like the ubiquitous “whatever.”
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Shemini
What emotional or spiritual profile would you like to build in yourself?
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Shemini
The physical symbols of kosher animals represent spiritual characteristics.
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Shemini
So we’ve come to realize the subtle but potentially dire effects on our food, but do we ever consider our food’s spiritual “profiles”? Does the food or drink that we consume affect us on a spiritual plane, on a soul level, influencing our character and natural tendencies?
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Tazria
Jews have a powerful urge to connect with one another.
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Tazria
Before speaking, let’s try to pause and reflect so we don’t cause unbearable, malevolent harm to another.
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Metzorah
Life is a never-ending cycle of low points that turn into high points, only to revert backagain to lows. The lowest points on life's cosmic wheel serve as mere introductions to enhance the next stage of highs.
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Metzorah
Words are powerful. They can encourage someone to reach unbelievable goals, achievements that were previously thought of as unattainable. Words can also destroy. They can shred any semblance of faith or belief, burn any hope or aspiration.
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Acharei Mot
While none of us ever wants to experience serious suffering in our lives, perhaps we can view our challenges as opportunities to grow into greater more empathetic individuals.
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Acharei Mot
We all have layers that cover up the “real me.” There’s the image that we want to present to the world, the talents and traits we want others to recognize. And then there’s even the image that we want to project to ourselves, those layers that hide and distract from our core inner selves.
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Kedoshim
Isn’t marriage between man and woman a violation of the laws of kilayim, which prohibit the intermixing of divergent species?
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Kedoshim
Do I need to be blind to the faults of another?
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Emor
Our lives are often cluttered with so much “doing,” we tend to forget the need for the empty space of “being.”
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Behar
Metaphorically, the seven-year shemittah cycle corresponds to the seven millennia of history.
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Behar
Do we work merely to acquire more, consume more, vacation more—and then once again begin the cycle anew? Or is there a more meaningful, underlying goal to our lives?
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Bechukotai
It’s a fundamental question that has been debated endlessly.
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Bechukotai
Every relationship needs an infusion of tender effort, thought and concern.
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