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Essays by Eli Hecht
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Armory for Hashem’s Army
This week over three thousand, five hundred Rabbis, Shluchim - emissaries, from the Lubavitcher Rebbe met in Brooklyn, New York. This is a yearly convention. Ideas were exchanged, lessons taught, and friendships renewed. Every Rabbi was given a schedule listing opportunities for 120 hours of learning, symposiums, and general ideas for spreading Yiddishkeit.
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Veterans Day 2009
During the month of November we celebrate Veterans Day. Our newspapers and media are full of advertisements for the best deals of the day. From electronics to clothing, to health care and insurance, car sales, there are Veterans Day specials. Ironically most people who take advantage of Veterans Days sales may not veterans. The veterans are busy dealing with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to one or more traumatic events that threatened or caused great physical harm. It may be a result of shell shock, battle fatigue etc. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) which occurs when outside forces like car bombings and the like traumatically injures the brain. .....click here for more |
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A Few Words About Tzedakah
Give graciously, cheerfully, and sympathetically is the advice of the great Tzadik called Rambam. This Jewish philosopher, doctor, and codifier of Jewish law, Moshe Maimonides, lived 1135 – 1204. His advice is up to date, as if written today.
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Shavuos and the Space Mission
This week Mike Massimino, together with Atlantis crew members, went on a space mission. Their job was to meet up with the Hubble Space Telescope. In a series of space walks the team installed fresh batteries, redesigned and repaired space instruments, all this while in orbit. They spent over 35 hours space walking and working. The plan is to have the Hubble Telescope work for another decade. .....click here for more |
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The Non-Kosher Flu
First we worried about our economy. Then we worried about our money, and last, but not least, we now worry about our health. We are hearing frightening reports of a swine flu attacking the world at a record pace. It sounds really treif – something is not kosher. A little earthquake here, a bigger one there, is really not good news. But this is worldwide.
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Interesting Times
“May you live in interesting times” – Attributed to an old Chinese curse.
There is no greater space than Space itself. Here on Earth there may be no greater expanse than the Atlantic Ocean. Yet this month it was reported that both Space and the Atlantic Ocean experienced crashes. If we didn't know any better we may think the reports were a joke.
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Presidents’ Day – A Religious Perspective
This coming Monday Americans will celebrate Presidents' Day. Our government gives honor to both George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. The way we celebrate is by taking off from work and hopefully spending more quality time with friends and family.
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Miracles in Our Generation – A Message for Us All
Lately, when I travel to New York something happens and I usually learn a lesson from it. On my last visit to New York I was exposed to the terrible tragedy which took place in India, the destruction of a Jewish center, a Chabad House and the killing of the Rabbi and his wife and innocent visitors. This week I again visited New York and I had the following incredible story. It has to do with miracles.
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The Jewish New Year and It’s Universal Message
On Monday evening, September 29th, Jews worldwide will celebrate their Jewish New Year, called Rosh Hashanah. They will gather for prayers in homes and places of worship followed by a meal full of rituals. The most symbolic custom is the dipping of challah, holiday bread, and apple into honey for a sweet year. With the holiday spirit arriving I think of its universal message for accountability and forgiveness.
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The Olympic Hypocrisies
The world Olympics have started. Nations are competing in sports and the excitement is running high. American swimmers and sport athletes are winning medals. We are led to believe that all is well and "we are one" is the motto. But nothing can be further from the truth. .....click here for more |
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Camp Gan Israel, Running Springs - Seeing is Believing
There is a saying, seeing is believing. Belief is insured when seeing the fact. Rabbi Dr. Twersky M.D., the famous psychiatrist, points out that seeing is not believing because seeing is real and tangible. Believing is something that isn’t touchable. Belief is something higher than seeing. Regardless, seeing the kids in the Camp Gan Israel located at Running Springs, California gave me a new dimension and belief in the Chabad system. After observing some 90 happy children active in davening, sports, and dra ma I can truly say “seeing is believing”. The magic of seeing something that I wouldn’t believe happening. .....click here for more |
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Father’s Day – A Gentle Reminder
This year’s Father’s Day was different for me and my family. The event was celebrated by my surprise visit from California to my aging father in Brooklyn, New York. The past few times I went to see him were due to unhappy events, my mother’s funeral, a family sickness, and medical emergencies. Usually I would receive a call with some concerns about my father, reminding me of the responsibility to be there when needed. Then I would jump on a plane and travel from my home to wherever my dear dad was living. Each time I would stay and spend some quality time with him. I would also think to myself why does sickness or emergencies dictate my visits? Why can’t I make a visit just for the sake of a happy event, like a good health visit? I would rationalize what good could I do visiting him when he is healthy and happy. What can I do that would enhance his life and make my visit more meaningful?.....click here for more |
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Getting Back on the Religious Track
Lately world events are happening with such tremendous speed in such a short space of time. China is rocked daily with awful tragedies. The death toll rises and millions of people are displaced. Myanmar has its unfolding misery. In our great nation we are busy with the presidential hopefuls, inflated gas prices, foreclosures, gay marriages, the polygamist families, massive custody battles, and slashing school funding.
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Honoring Your Parents
It has been said “You appreciate your health when you start to lose it”. This message came home to me this month in full force. Our family’s home is a fourth generation, raised in Brooklyn, New York. As we, the children, and grandchildren, grew up we moved to different states and countries. I have a brother in Connecticut, another in France, and three of us in California. My sisters are living in different areas of New York and one lives in Michigan. What brings the family together is the simchas – joys. At times, unfortunately, it is sadness or sickness.
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From President to President Chanukah is Celebrated
On Tuesday evening the Jewish holiday of Chanukah will be celebrated. Friends and family gather for the festivity. Gifts are exchanged, games are played with a spinning top called dreidel and latkes, potato pancakes fried in oil, are eaten. Worldwide festivities will take place in every country where Jews are found. The honored custom of lighting a menorah, an eight branched candelabrum, will be held. Each night of Chanukah a new candle is added to the existing Menorah. This is symbolically done to recall the increasing lights of the Chanukah holiday.
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A Touch of Love and Kindness Amidst Catastrophe
What do firemen and rabbis have in common? They both put out fires. The recent catastrophe taking place in our sunshine state of California makes me wonder what G-d is up to. What message can He be conveying and what lesson can be learned? One thing I know for sure is that it is the clergyman’s job to do and not ask. As one rabbi put it “We only work here, we don’t make the catastrophes......click here for more |
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Harry Potter’s Magic and Religion
To the dismay of many, the sales of children’s video games and internet products have been interrupted by magic. It’s the release of the seventh and final book of J. K. Rowling’s fantasy with Harry Potter and company. The newest book, Deathly Hallows, cast a Potter magic where millions of people from continent to continent bought over 8.3 million copies. Some businesses were stopped, television sets were closed, and internet services slowed down while hungry readers read on and on. The latest report claims nine million books plus.
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G-D, Man, & Tragedy
Many wonder where G-D is when tragedies take place. I always wonder where the people are when tragedies take place. The latest tragedy at Virginia Polytechnic Campus really makes me wonder about both. Where was G-D and the people at the time of the tragedy?
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An Unholy and Evil Alliance
It has been reported that Iran and Syria have been approached by Iraq to broker a peace agreement. Supposedly these two countries will be the ones to answer the unending unrest in Iraq and find everlasting peace. Some American leaders have even applauded this idea.
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“Zaydee and the Malthusian Nightmare”
This month it was reported that the 300 millionth baby was born in the United States. The birth of the new baby pushed the population marker over 300 million. This milestone was a significant highlight and duly noted in the news.
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Rosh Hashanah - An Apology to G-d
On Friday evening, September 22nd, Jews worldwide will gather in homes and houses of prayer to usher in the Jewish New Year, called Rosh Hashanah. The holiday is marked by prayer and the blowing of a ram’s horn, called a Shofar, heralding a new year. A festive meal includes fish, chicken and wine, making it a special day. Then there is the dipping of an apple in honey and other symbolic wishes for a sweet year. .....click here for more |
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Some Thoughts on the Marriage of my Youngest Son
I am at the LAX airport waiting for my plane to an unknown area called Mequon, Wisconsin. It’s a time for joy and happiness for my family. My youngest son, Yosef Yitzchok, called Yossi, is getting married. I ponder with emotion, having mixed feelings. On one hand the blessing of seeing your youngest married is a testimony of bringing up successful children. Nowadays this is no small feat. On the other hand you lose your last child.
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Choices - Offense and Defense
This month my son got married. At one of the parties in honor of this event I met an old friend. He is proud American-born, as good as apple pie. He has two teenage girls and a son who just turned twenty. His wife is a nutritionist and he is a software engineer.
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The Efficacy of Healing & Prayer
The medical world recently reported that prayer has no positive effect on the sick and, if anything, prayer may cause sick people to become sicker. The 2.4 million dollar study, by the John Templeton Foundation, smacks of bias, ignorance and downright arrogance.
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Miracles of Passover are Needed Today
April is here and spring is in the air. Soon Passover and Easter will be celebrated and eyes turn to the Holy Land. Israel is the mother land for religions, the place where religious people draw their inspiration. It’s always in the prayers and hearts of many. So hopefully the holidays will bring stability to the region......click here for more |
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Hamas Is Everyone’s Business
The recent vote among the Palestinian people tells us the mindset of their citizens. Hamas won 76 seats and Fatah 43. Hamas now controls the Palestinian parliament since it has the majority of the 132 seats. One leader, Mushir al-Masri, is quoted “Israel and negotiating with it is not on our agenda.” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said “You cannot have one foot in politics and one foot in terror.” Our President gently addressed the issue, but strangely, no full condemnation of Hamas’ platform to destroy the State of Israel has been addressed. Not by the U.N. or World leaders. What are we waiting for?
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Shelly Winters- All Ends Are The Same
I felt very privileged to lead in a very special and good Mitzvah-good deed of escorting the soul the Shelly Winters to her eternal rest. Shelly Winters was buried at Hillside Memorial Park. Her burial reminds me of the prayer “He remembered that we are dust.”.....click here for more |
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We May Have Great Wisdom But We Need Faith
On Monday evening, October 3rd, Jews worldwide will gather in homes and houses of prayer to usher in the Jewish New year, called Rosh Hashanah, literally the beginning of the year. The holiday is marked by prayer, the blowing of a ram’s horn, called a shofar, and the dipping of an apple in honey, symbolic of wishes for a sweet year. A festive meal includes kosher chicken and wine, making it a special day. This is a day for repentance, an auspicious time to make new resolutions......click here for more |
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Ghetto Mentality
Have you heard the latest news? Jewish people are being fenced in and separated from their families and friends. A forty-mile wall surrounding Jerusalem is now being created. This is to insure that Jewish people living in Jerusalem will be in a safe and encircled area. There will be eleven gates to enter and to leave. This cuts off the flow between the citizens in Jerusalem and the outside.
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We Don't Believe In Miracles, We Just Count On Them
Ever since my mother's untimely death I try to attend all happy family events. I feel that by having a gathering of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at a joyous occasion we give strength and continuity to the entire family. My father, in his mid 80s, called Zaidy Hecht, is asked to perform all the family weddings and does that happily.
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Being The Best Father You Can Be
And the Almighty spoke to Abram, “Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee” (Genesis 17:5). In ancient Hebrew, Abraham means “a father of many.”.....click here for more |
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Waiting for the Op-Ed
On my plane ride home from a Memorial Day spent in New York I fell asleep. I dreamt a most exhilarating dream finding myself in a strange city. Unlike New York or Los Angeles there were no tall buildings or cars. Illuminating the pathways were tens of thousands of moving lights. They led me through the city to brighter lights, which radiated with such intensity that I had to shade my eyes. There I saw many bright tents made of different intensities. Walls of strong lights on the outside obscured the brighter lights found inside. Then I saw celestial forms composed of lights. These forms reminded me of what kabbalists describe as souls without bodies. True, they were lights but they had distinctive individual forms. Yes, spirits with features and form but no real physical boundaries.
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Only in America
Mindi Pinsk from Russia hadn’t seen her classmate Vera Versky for the past 50 years. By chance they both met on a train traveling from New York City to Montreal, Canada. “Vera”, said Mindi, “It’s been 50 years since we last met. When did you come to our great country, America?” “I am only here two weeks and I am traveling to meet my long lost cousins in Florida.” She continued “This is a great country, so friendly, happy and free.” Mindi tried to hide her shock and said “This train is going north and you have to travel south.” Vera exclaimed, “Only in America can two people going in two different directions be on the same train.”
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Gaza Pull out- An Act of Desperation
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has won the approval of his cabinet to reshape Israel's Destiny. It will commence with the forced withdrawal of Jewish settlers; thousands of Israeli citizens, together with their young families will be removed. The use of military force has been given by the Sharon Government.
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Yahrtzeit - An Ending or a Beginning
It’s really happening. I’m returning back to New York City. It’s a year since my mother’s untimely death, and we are going to have the unveiling ceremony for my dear mother Lieba. Her wonderful life was snuffed in a horrific, tragic fire twelve months ago. I’m going to meet the complete family again, all nine brothers, sisters, spouses, and their children, uncles, aunts, and cousins, with their families. In total there will be over 150 souls.
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New Year’s Resolutions
Recently I was driving through the New York Holland Tunnel when I had the strangest experience. The cars in front began to drop their speed and come to a stop. With an hour left until Shabbos and being an orthodox Shabbos observer, I was really a mess. Driving after sunset is forbidden. What could I do?
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A Kosher Holiday Thanksgiving
I was born into a modern American religious family on my father's side. I was especially proud to be a fourth-generation American Jew. I played a great game of baseball, enjoyed reading the Sunday funnies and celebrated American holidays.
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Sukkoth – A Tabernacles Holiday
When the holiday of Sukkoth arrived the streets of Williamsburg would bustle. Children of all ages would run around the street selling branches from a weeping willow tree. In Hebrew they are hoshanas.
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Yom Kippur – A Day of Faith
It’s that time of year again. Members of the Jewish faith annually gather in housesof worship for the holy day, Yom Kippur for a day of atonement. This day isconsidered the holiest day of the Jewish religion. The name, Yom Kippur, literally means a day of cleansing or wiping clean. By evoking this aspect of cleansing ourselves from sins and past transgressions, man is forgiven and given a new lease on life. It is a time to strengthen or re–establish our faithin G–d.
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Rosh Hashanah, Terrorism, and the West Nile Virus
With new world terrorist threats being reported daily we wonder about the safety of our great country. From New York to California unprecedented precautions are taken. The costs are staggering as they run billions of dollars. Ironically, with all the newest scientific advances in security we still find ourselves inundated with the terrorist threat. We fear and wonder where the next attack will take place?.....click here for more |
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The cure for diseased morals
Some believe that by promoting embryonic stem-cell research we will scientifically be able to cure diseases. Alzheimer's, diabetes, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and cancer would be diseases of the past. I too pray for the end of suffering and disease. How wonderful the world will be. Civilization will have a great future and longevity.
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Loved Ones Don't Die, They Pass On
A few months ago I flew from Long Beach, California to Brooklyn, New York. It was a long, sad, and lonely trip. My mother was turning 82 years and was looking forward to a special birthday when tragedy struck. A fire broke out in her home. Quickly, her life was taken by fire and smoke. No good-byes or time to prepare for closure, just a cruel death I thought.
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Last Matzah to Baghdad
Recent news from Iraq doesn't sound too good. The killing of allied soldiers and civilians goes on. Random attacks on American civilians have become the norm, frustrating the rebuilding of a war-torn country. Plans for the freedom of Iraq and its neighbors are being set back. Allied goals for leaving the Iraqi people with the choice of democracy and free elections have become a nightmare. What will become of this region? Over 597 U.S. troops have died since the war began in March 2003. Do we have the power to truly liberate the region?.....click here for more |
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My Mother's Spirit Lives On
Our Rabbis teach us that when a parent leaves this physical world they live through their children. The classic example is Yakkov Avinu - Jacob, our father of the 12 tribes. The Talmud states a lesson that Yakkov Avinu did not die. Asks the Talmud the obvious question. It says that Yosef, his son, took the body of Yakkov and had it embalmed. He then took it to Eretz Yisroel and buried Yakkov in Chevron. One of the answers given - it true that Yakkov died in a physical sense-but in spirit he lives through his children, the Jewish people......click here for more |
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Honoring my Mother
As a child I was taught in the Jewish private school I attended, that every day is father's and mother's day. Our teachers quoted the commandment, to honor your father and mother. My European teachers saw no reason for special dedications. Children were expected to revere and honor parents at all times and places. My teacher was fond of quoting a story in the Talmud of a student, Yosef, who, upon hearing the footsteps of his mother, would say "Let me stand up, for the Divine presence is approaching." Respect and love for parents were a given......click here for more |
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The Message Of Chanukah
This year Chanukah begins Friday night, December 19th. With the celebrated by millions, there must be a message for us. I believe it is bringing the light of spirituality and freedom into the world. It really doesn't matter what religion you belong to as long as you get the message. .....click here for more |
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Good Fences Make Good Neighbors
Recent news by Israeli Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, for an Israeli Palestinian peace plan got me thinking. It seems that every day Hamas and other Palestinian hoodlums kill innocent Israelis. Imagine all this in the name of peace. .....click here for more |
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Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year
This week an extraordinary and disturbing event happened. I was driving late at night and stopped to buy gas. While I was filling up the gas tank a late model sports car pulled up and a well dressed man came out and asked me if I was Jewish. I told him yes and that I was a rabbi returning from a hospital chaplaincy call. "Why do you Jews kill innocent people?" he asked. I didn't know what he was talking about until he pulled out a picture and article of Israeli soldiers surrounding a building in the Gaza area. Around the building were school children and women. He went on to tell me that Israel's policy of attacking the Hamas leadership and threatening to kill Arafat is cruel and unjust. "You Jews are monsters." He jumped into his car and sped off.
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LESSONS FROM THE CONJOINED TWINS AND THE TWO-HEADED MAN
Recent events remind me of the following story told in Jewish folklore: It was in the days of the wise and clever King Solomon that a woman gave birth to a son who incredibly had two heads and one body. The previous births of six brothers were normal. As the years went by the family adjusted and treated the two-headed son as an equal but that soon came to an end. When the father died and the shares of inheritance were to be given the two-headed son claimed that he had two shares as he had two heads. The brothers claimed that the two-headed son had only one body and was therefore entitled to only one share. This case went from court to court and no settlement could be reached until the case was brought before King Solomon. He told the two-headed man to stand in front of him and proceeded to pour a cup of boiling water onto one head. Together both heads shouted, "Stop, we are burning." "If that be the case" said King Solomon "You are truly one person and will receive only one share of the inheritance."
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SARS - ITS MESSAGE TO MANKIND
Upon hearing the latest status of "SARS" I wonder how such a small but deadly bug can cause great havoc. From China, Asia to Toronto, Canada, to wherever, the quarantine has begun. Rumors of more deaths are being circulated.
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ROADS TO PEACE
Hearing the latest news I remember the following:
In the Middle East a story is told of a famous Rabbi, Rabbi Yehoshua. Rabbi Yehoshua once went to a faraway city. He walked along a straight, smoothly-paved highway. But when he was near the city, he came to a fork in the road. Before him lay two roads - one road was paved and smooth, and the other was rough and covered with sand and stones.
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BAKING THE BREAD OF FREEDOM
I walked into the supermarket to buy kosher food for the holiday of Passover. To my amazement there were no less than five brands of kosher wines and matzah. The wines were from Italy, France, Israel, California, and upstate New York. The matzah display had boxes from Israel, Cincinnati, and New York......click here for more |
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World Crisis - A Time To Act
As the year progresses the world crisis has become more complex. Talks of trouble in Korea, Iraq, and the Holy Land are on everybody's mind. Where are we heading? What will this year bring us? The economy looks bad. Our finest are overseas preparing for war. Nations of the world can't come to a consensus. Perhaps we need the lessons of the past as a guide for the future......click here for more |
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Happy New Year, G-D
The Jewish New Year -Rosh Hashanah arrives Friday night September 6,2002. Jews world over will gather in houses of prayer. They will pray and ask for a new happy New Year
The familiar scenario is to repent for our misdeeds and G-D grants us a good year. We assume that if we promise to act better and become accountable for our actions, G-D will grant us a new year blessed with family, life, health and sustenance.
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DEPRESSION OR PLAIN TIRED
Gladstone was a hard working salesman who seemed never to be able to meet his commitments. After paying one bill he ended up finding other bills. Every door opened other doors and his life was a maze. The harder he worked the less money he earned. After living this way for 30 years he told his wife, Mary, that he was going to try one more time to become a millionaire.
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The Rebbe's 8th Yahrtzeit
On Thursday, June 13, tens of thousands of Jewish people world over visited the Lubavitcher Rebbe's final resting-place located at the old Montefiore Long Island cemetery. They came in honor of his memory and to pray at his gravesite. It has been said that prayers recited at a saint's grave never go unanswered.
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Father's Day - Am I Doing the Right Things?
When Father's Day comes around I think of the many single parent families where children are brought up fatherless, some never knowing their fathers. How sad are those who never had a chance to feel the strong and warm loving hand of a father. I have friends who have great caring and sharing fathers. Why are some blessed with good fathers or bad fathers and others with no father? We are not given a choice of fathers. When you are born, the man whom your mother loved is your father.
All of this got me thinking. If G-d let me be a father, am I doing the right things? To whom can I turn to get some guidelines? As a Rabbi, I look towards my religion for answers. In the Jewish religion there is an ethical teaching found in Pirke Avot (Ethics of Our Fathers) C.100, "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged; and the glory of children are their fathers.
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THE AUTHENTIC BIBLE - A BEST SELLER
The Jewish religion governs the Jewish people. From cradle to grave, laws and regulations are clearly stated in the Torah, the Jewish bible.
On Thursday night, May 16th, Jewish people worldwide will celebrate a holiday called Shavuot, meaning weeks, marking the culmination of the seven weeks since Passover.
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Lag B'Omer
In a few days we will be with our Jewish friends and families having a swell time. It's Lag B'Omer again!
The day of Lag B'Omer is a special one. In our city thousands of children meet for fun and play. Schools partake in special trips and related fun activities. There is no study this day as time is for a children's holiday! Some bring jump ropes, basketballs and other excited ones have their own sets of bows and arrows.
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Passover, Freedom of The Spirit
When the Jewish holiday of Passover comes around I think of the holiday and its rituals. For thousands of years Jews have marked the event of the exodus from Egypt with a meal called the Seder. Unleavened bread, called matzoh, is eaten. This food was eaten during the exodus from Egypt. By eating matzoh Jews remember God's kindness.
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AN INCONGURENT WORLD
Recently, the city of Buffalo, New York had a 7ft snowfall. Things that were taken for granted suddenly became impossible to do. Schools were closed as well as many businesses. It was reported that stores could not get their deliveries and the population started to stockpile necessities. Transportation was almost non-existent. What began as a happy white holiday season ended with an unprecedented amount of snow turning the holiday cheer into misery.
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Chanukah in the Death Camp
Ever since the September 11th bombing I have been wondering how we Americans will celebrate the holidays. With thousands of our servicemen stationed in Islamic countries I know that, for them, the chances of a happy holiday looks slim. Many families will not be together for the celebrations.
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THANKSGIVING 2001
When Thanksgiving comes around Turkey ads, cranberry jam, plus sweet potato fill the air. Flyers, newspaper ads, and T.V. spots all advertise the Thanksgiving spirit. Yes, this is a time for the sale of the year. Celebrate the day by shopping until you drop seems to be the message. The political economists tell us that shopping on Thanksgiving will be the greatest gift to the country because it will help the economy and put faith back into our system.
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HALLOWEEN AND PRESIDENT BUSH
Osama Bin Laden is waging a personal type of Islamic religious war on all fronts. To his fellow Middle Eastern cohorts he is now a hero. To others he is a fiend, and to me he is neither. He is simply a fanatic with his beliefs and methods. Bin Laden wants to turn the clock back.
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WE SHOULD NOT BE HOSTAGE TO FEAR
Watching with horror the tens of thousands of people living in New York I sense and feel their panic and tragedy. Being a former New Yorker and a visitor to the Twin Towers building I can hardly imagine any words of comfort but let me say this, I am not hiring security guards for my center. My kids are of an impressionable age. The crucial sponge years, as they are called. I don't need them to think that a Jewish school in America needs armed guards. I have a good staff, strong locks and iron gates. I also have lots of faith in placing my trust in the Almighty G-d for the ultimate protection.
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NEW YEAR'S DECISIONS
Igor, a Russian peasant, worked in a large apple orchard. One day he came home very late, looking very disturbed and exhausted. His wife, Mary, asked him "Igor, what has happened today? Why do you look so tired and angry?
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MOURNING AND YEARNING FOR PEACE
The following story is told of the great French leader, Napoleon Bonapart. He once was traveling through a small Jewish town in Europe. He entered a synagogue. There he saw an incredible sight. Men and women weeping. They were sitting on the floor on small stools holding candles while reading from books. The synagogue had an elaborate chandelier but only a few candles were lit. If not for the small candle lights the magnificent synagogue would have been in complete darkness. It was a gloomy and sad sight to behold.
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Roses Don't Smell in Babi Yar, Ukraine
A great sadness came upon me while hearing of the Pope's recent visit to Kiev, Ukraine. There he visited and prayed at the Babi Yar Soviet memorial monument. Close by is a Jewish memorial menorah. Pope John Paul II, in an attempt to bring harmony between Ukrainian Greek Catholics and the Moscow Linked Orthodox Church, visited the area took note of the Jewish symbol Babi Yar. He offered a prayer for the Holocaust victims and was joined by the Ukrainian Chief Rabbi, Yakkov Dov Bleich. The Pope prayed in silence, recited his prayers in Latin, and told the Chief Rabbi "G-d bless you."
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Father's Day
With Father's Day coming around I opened the newspaper and thought of Father's Day gifts. The first thing to catch my eye was the outdoorsman "Huge Father's Day Sale." There was something for me. After all, I fathered six great children.
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Happy Birthday -Ten Commandments
On Monday and Tuesday, May 28-29, Jewish people the world over will be celebrating the time honored holiday called Shavuoth-weeks. This holiday is so called because it takes place seven weeks after the Passover holiday, which marked the Jewish exodus from Egypt.
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MOTHERS' DAY
On Mothers' Day our family would get together and give gifts to my dear mother. The little children made Mothers' Day cards decorated with little hearts and symbols of love and kisses, and crayoned pictures of a mother and children, all with a happy faces. The older children used their allowances to buy a kerchief, a pair of socks, or a new blouse.
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TIMOTHY McVEIGH
For a cruel man like Timothy McVeigh, killing children is a way to drive home his perverse message of getting back at a corrupt government. His actions now are causing the very same government to kill him. This is just another step in proving that the government can also be a partner in murder.
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EXODUS - A MOST AUTHENTIC MIRACLE
A story is told of an old reform rabbi who experienced a most horrible nightmare. In his dream he envisioned a holy tribunal and the Almighty G-d himself was on trial. After quite a to do G-d was pronounced guilty and sentenced to death. The rabbi began to yell and cry in his sleep "Gevalt, gevalt, G-d is dead."
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PASSOVER - LIBERATION OF LABELING ONE'S SELF
On Saturday evening, April 7th, Jews world over will be celebrating the holiday of Passover. This holiday commemorates the exodus of Jews, after hundreds of years of slavery, from the land of Egypt, some 3,213 years ago. Passover is an eight-day Jewish holiday of biblical origin. It marks the birth of the Jews as a free people under the leadership of Moses, who is considered the greatest Jewish prophet in history.
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HOLIDAY DILEMMAS - TURNING DESPAIR INTO CHEER
This year, the holidays of Chanukah and Xmas will be overlapping.
Children are already getting ready for the holiday celebrations by pricing
out their gifts. True, holiday celebrations are fun, but at times they cause
dilemmas turning wonderful cheer into despair.
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Festival of Hope in The Kovna Ghetto
It was some 3,300 years ago that the Jewish nation was liberated from Egyptian slavery. The Bible tells of their 40 years travel in the desert. During those years the people dwelled in tents and temporary huts, called "Sukkahs". Today, Jews world over commemorate this historic event by erecting little huts, covering them with branches or bamboo poles. For eight days festive meals are eaten there. It is called the Sukkoth holiday. It begins 4 days after Yom Kippur, Friday evening, October 13th.
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Calling G-d in the Labor Camps
I remember being at my Zaidy’s for the holiday of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. The Shul where he prayed was full of old timers from the old country. The average age was over 60. Most of the congregants spoke a mixture of Yiddish and Hungarian. Almost nobody spoke English. Some had numbers tattooed on their arms.
Many of the people were World War II survivors. Each had a tale to tell of how he lived through the Hitler years. Many were broken, humble people who had lost all their wealth, family and health. In almost every case they had not lost their faith.
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Rosh Hashanah - G-d's Partnership With Mankind
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year will begin on Friday night, September 29th. For Jews it will mark the year 5761 since the creation.
In the Bible we are told the story of creation, how G-d created the world in six days. When studying creation we realize that the last creation was man. He was created last on the sixth day. It's interesting to note that the Jewish New Year celebration does not really mark the creation of the world at all. It marks the creation of man. Indeed, why doesn't the Jewish New Year, begin on the first day of creation? Why does the creation of the world take second place to the creation of man?
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Politics & Religion
There was once a congregation in need of a clergyman, a community leader. They advertised in the local paper and two candidates applied. One was a rich and successful clergyman while the other was a handsome man but as poor as a church mouse. Each one was given a chance to address the congregation.
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Sports and Spirituality
"Mens Sana in Corpore Sano"-"A Sound Mind In A Sound Body." Attributed
to Cicero first century.
As a young student in a cheder - private Jewish school, we were
discouraged from playing sports. Our teachers, called Rebbes, were from the old
country. They displayed an aversion to any kind of organized sport.
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Mother's day and A Family Man
When
my wife gave birth to our sixth child, I was genuinely as
truly happy as any man could be. As an American Jew, I had
always felt that I should have at least six children (one
for each of the 1 million of the 6 million Jews who were killed
during World War II). Even though I was as pleased as any
father could be, I learned that some of our friends felt differently.
They claimed that a large family deprived children of love
and education. Somehow, I felt they had missed the boat.
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Children without Childhood
A
famous Jewish playwright, Mendele-Mokher Sefarim(died 1917)
forecasted ominously that "Children without childhood are
a dark and fearsome spectacle." Indeed hurrying children out
of childhood is causing children to make adult decisions with
their little child minds.
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KING SOLOMON AND ELIÁN GONZALEZ
A
story is told of the wise King Solomon. Once, two women came
to the King each claiming a live baby as theirs. Both women
had given birth to baby boys. One baby died while the other
lived. The mother of the dead baby claimed that the mother
holding the live baby was a fraud, that she had exchanged
her dead baby for the live one. The courts, not knowing what
to do, had the case brought to the wisest man in the world,
King Solomon......click here for more |
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