See this recent post on Hirhurim which asks the question: Is Hinduism Avodah Zarah, which raises questions about whether Hinduism is to be considered a full-fledged form of idolatry (it seems to involve many gods, and idols) or not (a deeper examination of Hindu theology reveals that they may believe in one overall God, and [...]

I saw this on this blog, as well as in an email that was sent to me: Rabbi Frand, at his weekly shiur (broadcast via satellite from Baltimore), told over the following incredible story. He related how he had received a letter this past week from a person involved in rabbanut in Israel. The Rabbi [...]

I received this story via email (I think I heard it at an NCSY Shabbaton a number of years ago). I do not know who the author was. Still, it is worth sharing and reading at least once: What would you do? You make the choice! Don’t look for a punch line; there isn’t one! [...]

A member of my high school class is currently in an IDF officer-training course. His unit assisted in the disengagement. Below is an exerpt from an email (edited for spelling) he sent out to members of our class, telling about what he witnessed at Atmona. It is a very moving account, and I believe it [...]

I have seen this story before, but it is easy to forget. I do not know who wrote it (if you search for it on the Internet it appears with a few slightly different versions, but no author). A story tells of two friends who were walking through the desert. During some point of the [...]

By Stewart Weiss. Appeared originally in the Jerusalem Post, April 20, 1996 You might walk past it a thousand times – even tread directly upon it – and yet you would probably never take note of it. Amid the silent hills and grassy quietude of Mt. Herzl, a gentle spring wind blows over the grave [...]

To all of ‘Us’ From One of ‘Them’ Note: A message that many people will agree should be an ideal, but only a few will only put into practice. However, I do not know where such a concept of Ahavat Chinam comes from. Does anyone have any sources? It was the night of the geulah [...]

By Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach zt”l In the Warsaw ghetto there was a Rebbe, the heiliger Reb Klonimus Kalman. He wrote a book and knowing prophetically that he would not survive, he put the manuscript under one of the stones in the ghetto where it was found after the war. He had a yeshiva not of [...]