What does this day mean to us? How can we use it for growth? Ner elokim nismas adam. Our neshama is compared to a fire, and there are a number of ways this can be manifested. What I have always considered the most poignant relationship between fire and soul is the constant pull to reach…
Eight Life Lessons from Pesach
We’ve learned a lot in our journey towards Pesach. These are lessons to bring with us into Yom Tov. We’ve dragged our weary bodies into Pesach, hopefully a little more refreshed than usual thanks to a solid Shabbos nap. Now what? We have a week of celebrating, of feasting, of rejuvenation, and a week of…
Finding Meaning in the Madness
Nine Life Lessons of Purim Purim is a Yom Tov like no other in the sheer craziness it brings. First, there are weeks preceding it with so many decisions to make. This is no where should we spend first days and last days, and what side dishes should I make with my Sukkos roast. There…
Uplifting Our Gifting, Eight Ways for Eight Days
With Chanukah about to begin, we are gearing up for a special week of menorah lighting and singing, latkes and donuts, parties, and possibly even presents. Chanukah gifts are heavily debated, and every family and every society feels differently about them. Some decry the fact that Chanukah has become all about the presents and we’ve…
How to Apologize
It’s not always so easy to say “I’m Sorry,” (especially if you were right!) It’s that time of year, when we work toward cleaning our slate both bein adam l’Makom and bein adam l’chaveiro. And while hurts and grudges shouldn’t necessarily be left to fester until just before Yom Kippur, if you haven’t made up…
Embracing Elul: Forty Different Ideas for Self-Improvement
What should I do to make the next forty days count? Some of these ideas might work for you. Rosh Chodesh Elul signals the beginning of the season of introspection. It’s hard, in the whirlwind of school beginning and the approaching yamim tovim, to set aside time and brain space for the true avodah of…
Nine Ways to Achieve a Productive and Refreshing Summer
How do we turn our “Vacation” into a real “Bein Hazemanim?” It’s that time of year that has children all over celebrating, and many adults too. Even if you aren’t a teacher, there is something exhilarating about summer vacation, whether it’s the ability to sleep a little bit later, fewer buses to catch, less homework…
11 Ways to Conquer (and Enjoy) Cleaning for Pesach
Let’s put the joy, meaning and fulfillment into our Pesach cleaning. We are all doing it anyway, and getting so much sechar in the process, we may as well make the most of it and turn the experience into a positive one all around. I have surprisingly fond memories of Pesach cleaning growing up. This…
What Kind of Mask Do You Wear?
This Purim, let’s take a peak at ourselves beneath the facade. As Purim dawns, the young and young at heart will don their masks and transform their persona into the hero, villain or neutral character of their choice. And we of the more adult variety smile indulgently as they pretend to be someone they are…
What Does a New Year for Trees Have to Do with Me?
What should we be thinking about and davening for on this day? Tu B’shvat It’s a minor holiday, barely acknowledged, moderately celebrated. For many of us, it passes us by without us even noticing. But what is it all about? “It’s the Rosh Hashanah for the trees,” we have been taught since first grade, maybe earlier. The…
