Tag: Jewish values
Remembering What It Felt Like “You shall love the convert, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”— Devarim 10:19 This commandment appears again and again in the Torah. But why? Why is it so important that we’re reminded not just to be kind to the ger, but to love them? Because we know…
I always went to the Pesach seder at my Bobie and Zaidy’s house.Same table.Same songs.Same Divrei Torah.Same jokes. (bih bih bih…) After my Zaidy was niftar, we continued at my parents’ home. Even when I got married and had kids, we went back. Pesach was never up for discussion. It meant something — that night…
I Thought I Had a Superpower For the last decade, I believed my ADHD meds gave me a superpower. Six hours of laser focus.Six hours of clarity.Six hours where my brain worked the way I always wished it would. I felt unstoppable. I could think, write, create, and execute at a level that finally felt…
Life is a journey filled with moments of triumph and times of challenge. Yet, it’s during the struggles—the hardest, most humbling moments—that we often uncover our true purpose. Right now, we’re reading the parshiot about Bnei Yisrael transitioning from slavery to freedom, a story we revisit every Pesach Seder. Rav Hershel Schachter teaches that Pesach…
Have You Ever Been Stuck in the “Planning Trap”? You know the feeling—you’ve got an idea that lights you up. You get excited, jot down every detail, map out how it’ll unfold, and maybe even envision how incredible the results will be. But then… nothing. The idea sits, gathering digital dust in your notes, while…
The Three Stages of Life: A Divine Journey of Growth and Purpose Every challenge you’re facing, every challenge you’ve faced, every moment of joy and struggle, is part of Hashem’s master plan. Imagine a journey so carefully crafted that every step—even the painful ones—was designed to lead you toward unimaginable growth, fulfillment and pleasure. This…
We’re Doing It All Wrong How many times have you rushed through Modeh Ani in the morning? You barely open your eyes, mumble the words, and before you know it, you’re scrolling your phone or racing into the chaos of the day. It’s automatic—just something to check off the list. I’ve been there. For years,…
The Yetzer Hara vs. Bitachon: A Battle of the Mind How is it possible for someone with strong bitachon to commit an aveira? This perplexing question underscores the astonishing power of the yetzer hara. The yetzer hara doesn’t fight fair—it chips away at our trust in Hashem, playing on our fears, desires, and weaknesses until…
Have you ever been asked a question so surprising, it made you stop and rethink your values? That happened to me years ago on a date when the girl said, “I hear a lot of people where you live are very wealthy.”Trying to redirect, I replied, “Like any city, there are people at all levels.”…
The Blame Game: A Habit from Childhood When I was a kid, if I stubbed my toe or dropped something, the first thing I’d do was look around for the closest person to blame. It was almost automatic. Maybe you can relate—it’s the instinct to believe we’re perfect and any mishap couldn’t possibly be our…
