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![]() Sruli FruchterThe Times of Israel (Blogs) |
We can choose the type of world we want to live in. Our beliefs, perspectives, and outlook have the power to construct the framework of our lives, in...
When we retell the Pesach story every year — how Bnei Yisrael, enslaved to foreign Egyptian masters, was liberated by Hashem — are we merely...
When we think about “sin,” we all have our own conceptions of what that means from our experiences and perspectives. Sin — or aveirot in Hebrew...
It can sometimes feel like we wear two different masks in our lives: one professional and “worldly” and the other Jewish and religious. These...
“If I am not for myself, who is for me?” (Pirkei Avot 1:14). This famous saying from Pirkei Avot speaks to the imperative we each have to live our...
Our clothing communicate something about ourselves to the world; they provide a window into the inner character of who we are, or at least who we want...
The theme of seudot (feasts) is found throughout the Purim story of Megillat Esther in various contexts. The megillah records Achashverosh’s...
There are some places people deem “holy” and other ones considered “unholy.” What, however, does it actually mean for a place to be...
In many ways, our lives bear a close resemblance to the model of a court. Sometimes we play lawyer, making passionate arguments to accuse or defend,...
Our dreams and ideals for the world, whether big or small, can sometimes weigh on us, crushing our souls with stress, fear, and anxiety. It’s this...
There’s something exciting about engaging with the realm of possibility. With new endeavors comes new opportunities, and with new opportunities come...
When we think of mitzvot (commandments), we may think of sacrifice, suppressing our will, or another burden to worry about. In Judaism, mitzvot are...
Chains and cages constrain so many people, in the literal and metaphorical sense; freedom is limited, dreams are destroyed, and life is muted. We...
Life is the greatest gift that we’ve all been given. Each of us is imbued with a unique, divine purpose in this world, something only we can do, a...
What is tefillah? It’s a question that addresses something so basic, so foundational to our daily living as a Jew and human that we almost never...
In each moment, we are the deciders of our fate, wielding the power of choice. Yet, often when reflecting on the past, we see our lives as if they...
Change is a natural principle of life, but transformation is more than mere change; it’s a deeper, holistic metamorphosis that begins internally and...
When we connect with our true selves and unapologetically express that side to the world, our hearts are filled with the light of Hashem, the light of...
As Yaakov is preparing for the ultimate confrontation with Esav, who’s pursuing him with a death wish, Parshat Vayishlach picks up with the...
In times of despair and distress, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually, we need a recharge. Those restorative moments are catalysts not just...
Life is full of experiences that call on us in different ways. In some cases, our actions are almost beyond choice because the “good” response is...
Throughout life, people are always trying to find their place, whether that be in their family, their community, or the world. There’s an intuitive...
Every single human is ingrained with a spark of Hashem. Those we work with, pass on the street, see in the news, and interact with on a daily basis...
Love is sought after by everyone in the world, albeit in different forms, as we see marketed in movies and stories across the world. This make sense,...
One of the classic questions in Parshat Noach is the Torah’s profile on Noach at the onset of the parsha. “This is the line of Noach,” it...
Between the demands of perfection on social media and society’s unbridled expectations on men and women, protecting our self-worth has become a...
Moshe Rabbeinu’s story in the Torah is one filled with the triumphs of his successes and the drama of his struggles. As Bnei Yisrael’s greatest...
With the many sects and label of Judaism — Modern Orthodox, Reformed, Conservative, or Reconstructionist, to name a few — we can become...
On the holiest day of the year, Yom Kippur, we come to Hashem in our most vulnerable state. We have no distractions like food or drink, soothing...
Rabbi David Aaron once shared a thought that was so radical, so profound, that it initially came as an alien concept; in truth, its depth describes...