I spent three days in Gaza and was released to bury a close friend who was killed in action.
Must-see video if you or somebody you know is critical of Israel.
A short video that puts the conflict in proper context.
Have you ever complained about receiving too many wedding and bar mitzvah invitations?
From Yenta to the Bachelor, being a matchmaker isn’t what you think.
In Israel, my 4-year-old son was on a mission to see the Temple being rebuilt. We were all surprised when he found it.
An Auschwitz survivor shares her faith with the Next Generation.
Here’s a sure fire tip if you want to be remembered for posterity: do something really embarrassing. Humanity promises not to forget.
Part 2 of the abbreviated dictionary of Jewish diseases.
_(english).jpg "Judaism and the 12-Step Program")
+.jpg "Constructive Criticism")
+.jpg "The Price of Hatred")
+.jpg "Let's Be Fair")
_(english).jpg "They Revere Horses, Don't They?")
(17) MARC, October 21, 2007 12:37 AM
i MEAN NO RESPECT SIR, BUT YOU ARE MIXING APPLES AND ORANGES AND PLAYING WITH SEMANTICS YOU CAN TURN ANYTHING TOWARDS A CAUSE , bARBARO IS A HERO TO HORSE LOVERS AROUND THE WORLD DO YOU WISH TO TAKE THGAT AWAY FROM THEM IS EVERYTHING RELATED TO WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY. HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE TERM SPORTS HERO . WHAT IS NEXT DON'T CALL TIGER WOOD A HERE WHY DON'T WE JUST USE THE WORD EXCLUSIVELY TO WHAT YOU WISH TO CONVEY . I THINK YOU ARE BEIGN A STICK IN THE MUD LET PEOPLE HAVE THEIR FUN AND LET THEM GREEVE THEIR LOSS NOT EVERYTHING IS RELATED TO 9/11 BUT IT CAN BE IF YOU WISH I THINK YOU MISSED YOUR CALLING YOU WOULD HAVE MADE A GREAT LAWYER. i RECENTLY BEEN RIDING EVERY DAY AND I'M CRAZY ABOUT IT I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THOSE GUYS YELLING AT FOOTBALL RALLIES WERE CRAZY WISH SHOULD CELEBRATE THE HUMAN SPIRIT AND CALL A HERO TO ANYTHING THAT ACHIVES SUCH GREATNESS i HAVE MANY HERO THAT ARE HUMAN BUT FEW THAT ARE HORSES ORANGES AND APPLES DEAR SIR. SHALOM MARC IN LA
(16) E. Goldfeder, February 8, 2007 1:21 PM
Horses ARE heroes
I have a great feeling of sadness for the good Rabbi Salomon, who does not recognize the fact that heroism comes in many forms. He weakly admits a dog may be a hero ... but oh, not a horse. Benjamin Franklin, a greater mind than that of the good Rabbi, told of the heroic value of the horse historically in "For the Want of a Nail."
But, history aside, is Barbaro a hero? He was brave, he was honest, he was kind and he inspired others. Made them care and feel sympathy ... inspired humans to some human feelings that are important to the expression of God's values. God created Barbaro and Barbaro gave back to humanity in His honor.
(15) Lucy, February 8, 2007 1:10 PM
Barbaro and those who cared for him really were special
I was one of those who e-mailed get-well wishes to New Bolton Center for Barbaro. As a horse owner, I realize the chances of him reading them were small, but I knew how his owners, trainer and jockey felt about the colt who had held so much promise. I do not know that I looked upon the horse as a "hero," but he was surely a noble creature who gave his life for our pleasure. I admire his owners, the Jacksons, who appreciated their horse and did all they could for him, at great cost and with small chance of any recompense. I admire his vet, who put in an almost superhuman effort in an attempt to save the horse and finally, I admire his trainer, Michael Matz, who is not only a great horseman (he was an Olympic medalist before he was a racehorse trainer) but is also an actual hero. Several years ago he pulled three children from the burning wreckage of a plane.
Those who said "God let them down" were merely expressing grief and disappointment. While our smaller griefs are not really as serious as the many major calamities that occur, we feel them as keenly for the moment. I know that I felt that way when I lost a beloved horse of my own.
Our love for Barbaro in no way detracts for our love and admiration of human heroes. Besides, it sometimes takes something simple and non-human, perhaps a horse, to bring people together and help them to understand each other.
(14) Eve Zukergood, February 8, 2007 8:45 AM
Response to horses are heros, why one or the other
Barbaro was more than a symbol of hope. As a horse he was a symbol of freedom and spirit. I don't think making a comparison between human beings who are heros and have performed heroic acts, and Barbaro is the point. I think the outpouring of grief for this horse is due to the fact that many people feel helpless today as they see the situation of the world deterioriate. Yes everyone you mentioned was in fact a hero. I think people need heros, because it triggers the very human essence and piece of their own personality that wants good to triumph over bad. I think people admired the horse because the horse did not want to give up, he was couragous in fighting for his life. I think the horse is a metaphor for all of us who are frightened, and do not want to give up. The horse is a symbolic hero because of how he fought through pain to live. If we learn anything, maybe we learn from this that heroism is innate in humans and animals. Let's recognize this, and not exclude on or the other.
(13) Margarita, February 7, 2007 7:22 AM
you are right
You are right. I just want to say separate Thank You for acknowledging IDF soldiers, too many times Israel and her defenders are criticized, you have done the right thing calling them heroes.