_(english).jpg "Taking the Spiritual Dive")
_(english).jpg "Genetic Screening for Breast Cancer Genes")
_(english).jpg "When Bad Things Happen")
_(english).jpg "Judaism and the 12-Step Program")
+.jpg "Knowledge and Wisdom")
+.jpg "Moshe, Miriam and Prophecy")
+.jpg "Don't Give Up")
+.jpg "The Rewards of Having a Rabbi")
The Rewards of Having a Rabbi
by Rabbi Boruch LeffJohn and David were researching a Talmudic passage. "Come on, Dave", John urged. "The paper's due tomorrow and it's already 10:00 PM. Let's just ...
It's a meaningful life
by Rabbi Boruch LeffThere's an old expression, "Time is Money." We all know as well that life is the sum total of all of our moments in time. Hence, "Time is Life." ...
Of 'Sefira' Beards and Beacons Gone Bad
by Rabbi Boruch LeffIf you take a look at Jewish men post-Passover, you'll probably notice many of them with stubble on their faces, the beginnings of beards. Why the ...
Are All Men Created Equal?
by Rabbi Boruch LeffAt Mount Sinai, God described the Jewish People as a holy nation (Shemot 19:6). But it sounds too difficult and lofty a concept for us to handle. ...
Uncomfortable Musings for Comfortable Jews
by Rabbi Boruch LeffSomething is strange. The arrangement throughout the Parshas of Tzaria-Metzora is unusual. These Parshas describe the laws of tzaarat, a ...
Sacrifices and the 'Value' of Idol Worship
by Rabbi Boruch LeffIt sounds funny doesn't it. Can there really be something valuable in worshipping idols? Isn't idol worship Public Enemy #1 in the eyes of the ...
_(english).gif "Becoming a Holy Drunk")
Becoming a Holy Drunk
by Rabbi Boruch LeffIt seems a bit funny, but getting drunk on Purim can be a spiritual experience.
L'Chaim - To Life?
by Rabbi Boruch LeffLife is good. There is no doubt that the vast majority of us feel this way. This is why the most common Jewish drink toast is "L'Chaim," To Life. ...
A Temple Full of Blood
by Rabbi Boruch LeffDedicated Lezecher Nishmas Yechiel Michael ben Aryeh and Eka Miriam bas Menachem Simcha by Mr. and Mrs. Jack Fried of Cincinnati For many weeks ...
The Power of Community
by Rabbi Boruch LeffHere we go again. We seem to being having deja vu. Wasn't it just a few short weeks ago that we read the Torah's account of the construction of the ...
_(english).gif "The Mystical White Snow")
The Mystical White Snow
by Rabbi Boruch LeffThe snowy streets are slippery and it's cold and wet. It's also a special time to get close to God.
_(english).jpg "The World Series of Life")
The World Series of Life
by Rabbi Boruch LeffIn life no one's a benchwarmer, and other key lessons from baseball.
Judgment Means Love
by Rabbi Boruch LeffAll of us fear judgment. No one likes to go to traffic court for a violation. Certainly we don't crave hearing our bosses' evaluation of our ...
A Tedious Tabernacle?
by Rabbi Boruch LeffIt happens every year. Every time we open up the Torah to read Exodus, it glaringly stares us in the face. We ask ourselves: What in the world did ...
_(english).gif "Mystical Autumn Leaves")
Mystical Autumn Leaves
by Rabbi Boruch LeffAs the trees shed their leaves, I search for a kabbalistic understanding: Why did God create a world where I need to do all this raking?
God Knows Best
by Rabbi Boruch LeffWe have been called the Chosen People since time immemorial. But what exactly happened to grant us this exalted title? The answer lies in a profound ...
Act, Don't Just React
by Rabbi Boruch LeffWe sit around being armchair presidents and prime ministers.
I Learn, Therefore I Teach
by Rabbi Boruch LeffWe all believe in God, but we constantly struggle with the same issue: how do we increase our faith in Him? Is there anything active that we can do ...
Go Slow
by Rabbi Boruch LeffWe have a major problem with this week's Torah portion. In fact, it's a problem with the entire Exodus from Egypt. The problem is: Is God being ...
_(english).jpg "Time for Change")
For the Love of the Game
by Rabbi Boruch LeffWe have all heard of the concept of making someone an offer that they cannot refuse. More often than not we can refuse the offer, but we cannot ...
Excuses, excuses
by Rabbi Boruch LeffDo you trust your best friend? What about your son? I hope you answered in the affirmative. Then, why doesn't Jacob seem to trust Joseph with ...
The Secret of Jewish Survival
by Rabbi Boruch LeffThroughout the ages, many have been amazed at the Jewish nation's survival. Faced with a history of suffering, sorrow, and persecution, Jews have ...
The Strong into the Hands of the Weak
by Rabbi Boruch LeffDuring most years, the Shabbat of Parshat Mikeitz coincides with the festival of Chanukah. Hence, tens and tens of commentaries have established ...
_(english).jpg "Applying")
Applying "The Last Lecture"
by Rabbi Boruch LeffIf you had one last lecture to give before you died, what would it be?
Rest and Relaxation
by Rabbi Boruch LeffDon't we all crave those moments in life of rest and relaxation? Many of us may even use such times for spiritual meaning and growth. What's wrong ...
_(english).gif "Downfall of the Yankees")
Appreciating the Simple Things in Life
by Rabbi Boruch LeffJacob, our Patriarch, was a holy man. We don't usually find holy people overly concerned with their physical well-being. Yet, in this week's Torah ...
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie, Final: Leaving a Legacy")
Torah with Morrie, Final: Leaving a Legacy
by Rabbi Boruch LeffDeath ends a life, not a relationship.
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #19: The Completion of Life")
Torah with Morrie #19: The Completion of Life
by Rabbi Boruch LeffIt isn't the physical life itself that makes the difference; it is the legacy.
Serving God For Pleasure
by Rabbi Boruch LeffIf someone approached you and guaranteed that you would receive 100 million dollars if you simply follow what they asked of you, would you agree to ...
Seeing Good in All
by Rabbi Boruch LeffGod wants us to see the depth within the Yishmael personality
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #18: Avoiding Youth Envy")
Torah with Morrie #18: Avoiding Youth Envy
by Rabbi Boruch LeffAppreciating the gifts that old age provides.
Affronts to confronts
by Rabbi Boruch LeffSARAH'S DISBELIEF AND GOD'S CRITICISM How can we put Sarah and disbelief in the same sentence? Sarah - the initial Matriarch of the Jewish People - ...
Knowing Your Place
by Rabbi Boruch LeffLOT & INSUBORDINATION Oftentimes we fail to glean insights and lessons from the less famous Biblical personalities such as Lot. "Lot ...
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #17: Embracing the Aging Process")
Torah with Morrie #17: Embracing the Aging Process
by Rabbi Boruch LeffRespecting elders is more than good manners, it shows what is truly important in life.
Unified Technology Against God?
by Rabbi Boruch Leff"One of the greatest tragedies of intellectual human experience is that we study Bible stories when we are 55 in the same manner as we studied them ...
Night Owls? Not!
by Rabbi Boruch LeffHave you ever tried to get lots of things done at night? Did you ever assume that you can get just as much done at night as you could during the day ...
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #16: Being Number Two")
Torah with Morrie #16: Being Number Two
by Rabbi Boruch LeffThe pitfalls of trying to always be Number One.
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #15: Parenting with Pride")
Torah with Morrie #15: Parenting with Pride
by Rabbi Boruch LeffWhy did God create the world where grownups must suffer through inattentiveness, non-compliance, and general moodiness with our kids?
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #14: Family First")
Torah with Morrie #14: Family First
by Rabbi Boruch LeffWhat is the most important element in achieving happiness?
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #13: Giving Through Taking")
Torah with Morrie #13: Giving Through Taking
by Rabbi Boruch LeffSometimes the best way to give is by allowing others give to us and take.
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #12: Making Meaningful Moments Last")
Torah with Morrie #12: Making Meaningful Moments...
by Rabbi Boruch LeffHow can we ever truly enjoy something when we know that all things will pass?
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie 11: Learn How to Die; Learn How to Live")
Torah with Morrie 11: Learn How to Die; Learn How...
by Rabbi Boruch LeffAre you ready to die today?
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #10: Finding One True Friend")
Torah with Morrie #10: Finding One True Friend
by Rabbi Boruch LeffEveryone needs that one person who understands us and with whom we can communicate openly without any pretenses.
_(english).jpg "Torah with Morrie #9: Timeless Teachers")
Torah with Morrie #9: Timeless Teachers
by Rabbi Boruch LeffParents give physical life to a child; teachers inject that life with purpose and meaning.
