Monthly Archives: October 2011

Island Under Heaven

There is no security this side of the grave. -Harlan Ellison Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking. -Marcus Aurelius Joy is an overflowing, an explosion. Something enters … Continue reading

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The World that Doesn’t Exist

…these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all … Continue reading

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Immanu-El

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know – this Man, delivered … Continue reading

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Unanticipated Atonement

It’s all up to you. Everything about Yom Kippur, coming up this Friday night, points to you: In times of old, one High Priest serving our one G-d in His one Temple on His one holiest day on behalf of … Continue reading

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Backward On the Thread of Time

“It would be easier sometimes to change the past.” -Jackson Browne Fountain of Sorrow (1974) “You can’t unring a bell.” -Anonymous Yes, we are physical beings; but there is something in us that transcends the physical. Man is an amalgam … Continue reading

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Dancing with God on Yom Kippur

The Chazon Ish, zt”l, would say that one cannot learn how to learn Torah on his own. “You need to speak to those who know how to learn to get a feel for it.” Rav Chaim Chaikel of Hamdurah, zt”l, … Continue reading

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Journey of the Ger Toshav: Failed Connection

The Gemara rejects this suggestion, because it is Rav himself who said that establishing an omen is only prohibited when it is done as we find with Eliezer, the servant of Avraham. When Eliezer went to find a wife for … Continue reading

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The Ger Toshav at Worship

Here’s a brief but significant addendum to my first blog post on the Journey of the Ger Toshav. I’ve been surfing the Ask Noah forums which are specifically for Noahides to ask questions regarding their status relative to Judaism. I found … Continue reading

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Journey of the Ger Toshav: First Step

Tosafos discusses how to understand how Eliezer, the trusted and faithful servant of Avraham Avinu, conducted himself in a questionable manner by letting an omen determine such a critical matter. The Gemara seems to say that he was in violation of … Continue reading

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A Voice of Silence

Allow me to relate a story a friend of mine tells about one of his early childhood experiences. This is how he relates the event: “When I was about four years old, I awoke from my nap one day, ventured … Continue reading

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