ב"ה
Toldot 5764 - November 28, 2003
Body and Soul
We're in this world. It seems real to us, but it's really an ingenious charade designed to make us think that it's real, act as if it's real, and thus allow it to feed on our vitality (didn't I see this in a movie somewhere?)
We're in this world. It seems real to us, but it's really an ingenious charade designed to make us think that it's real, act as if it's real, and thus allow it to feed on our vitality (didn't I see this in a movie somewhere?)
Parshah
Toldot in a Nutshell
After 20 childless years, Rebecca bears twins: Esau and Jacob. Esau prefers hunting; Jacob prefers Torah study. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red lentil soup. Jacob deceives his father for his blessing, and flees to escape Esau’s wrath.
After 20 childless years, Rebecca bears twins: Esau and Jacob. Esau prefers hunting; Jacob prefers Torah study. Esau sells his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of red lentil soup. Jacob deceives his father for his blessing, and flees to escape Esau’s wrath.
A Letter to My Eldest Daughter
I see you all sitting around a large dining room table, laden with Shabbat delicacies, explaining the Parshah and sharing stories with the participants -- women who are two, three, or even four times your age!
I see you all sitting around a large dining room table, laden with Shabbat delicacies, explaining the Parshah and sharing stories with the participants -- women who are two, three, or even four times your age!
Story
Daily Judgment
The Baal Shem Tov led the young Talmudist to the window. A water-carrier was passing by, with a pole across his back and a pail of water tied at each end. “Come, let’s go speak with him,” said the chassidic master.
The Baal Shem Tov led the young Talmudist to the window. A water-carrier was passing by, with a pole across his back and a pail of water tied at each end. “Come, let’s go speak with him,” said the chassidic master.
Are We Supposed to be Afraid of G‑d? (I)
What’s all this business about being “G-d-fearing”? What are we supposed to be scared of?
What’s all this business about being “G-d-fearing”? What are we supposed to be scared of?
In physical foods, there are two types of delicacies: sweet and luscious foods, and tart and sour foods that are spiced and garnished so that they are made into delicacies that gratify the soul... [So, too,] are there are two kinds of gratification before G-d: one from [the good achieved by] the perfectly righteous, and the second from the suppression of evil as it is strongest and most powerful... through the efforts of the ordinary man.
— Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi
Print Magazine
The world is a place of constant change and unrest.
Each point in time is distinct from the point before and the point after.
Each point in space is its own world, with its own conditions and state of being.
It is a world of fragments, a perpetual rush of traffic and noise.
Look at your own life: You do so ...
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