About the Author

Yaakov Astor

Yaakov Astor, Founding Editor-in-Chief of Zman Magazine, has written, co-written or edited more than 30 books and hundreds of articles in a wide variety of periodicals, including Nothing Bad Ever Happens. In addition to his writing career, he is a former yeshivah teacher and principal who has also taught in various outreach capacities. Currently, he is the Deputy Director of Zechor Yemos Olam (the Holocaust education branch of Torah Umesorah) and helps administer its online course to leading educators. He also leads annual tours to Poland.

Yaakov Astor is the author of the recently published book Jews Fighting The “News”: Anti-Israel Bias Masquerading as News in the Western Press. Click here to order.

Jews Fighting the News

Jews Fighting the News

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Organizations like HonestReporting that monitor the media for anti-Israel bias are needed more than ever.

When Do We Eat?: Eating to Live On Passover Night

When Do We Eat?: Eating to Live On Passover Night

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Delayed gratification transforms the physical into an act of spiritual sustenance.

My Mother-in-Law: Jewish Heroine and Nazi Killer

My Mother-in-Law: Jewish Heroine and Nazi Killer

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The thrilling, true story of Rachel Blum’s struggle to survive in a world bent on destroying her.

Struck by the Storm

Struck by the Storm

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He gave his life to rescue a child in danger.

It's Your Universe

It's Your Universe

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Our planet is truly a miracle.

Rosh Hashanah & the Art of Wanting

Rosh Hashanah & the Art of Wanting

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Deep down, what do you truly desire?

Death March, Tisha B'Av 1944

Death March, Tisha B'Av 1944

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Facing defeat, the Nazis marched 6,000 Jews. A survivor's account.

The Final Solution on Tisha B'av

The Final Solution on Tisha B'av

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The Holocaust is rooted in the destruction of the Temple -- which caused a loss of moral clarity in humanity.

Soaring to Freedom

Soaring to Freedom

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Torah is our guidepost for traversing the maze of life.

Hearing the Shofar's Call

Hearing the Shofar's Call

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The shofar arouses the divine voice within, calling us back to our Source.

The Sukkot/Ecclesiastes Connection

The Sukkot/Ecclesiastes Connection

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King Solomon's exhilarating answer to: "What on earth are we doing here?"

Reality and Potential

Reality and Potential

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Shoot for the stars or be more realistic? Two perspectives reflected in the Chanukah light.

Chanukah Lights and Wrights

Chanukah Lights and Wrights

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The menorah's flames remind us that technology is but a gift from God.

Paradise Found

Paradise Found

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The joy of reconnection with our lost self.

Pharaoh and the Final Solution

Pharaoh and the Final Solution

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Eerie parallels between the biblical story and the Nazi's Wannsee Conference.

A Womb for the Soul

A Womb for the Soul

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Inscribing ourselves in the book of life or death.

Attaining Freedom

Attaining Freedom

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Rectifying Adam's mistake through matzah and wine.

The Liberating Experience of Judgment

The Liberating Experience of Judgment

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Yes these are Days of Awe, but they are days of exhilaration too.

Reincarnation and Jewish Tradition

Reincarnation and Jewish Tradition

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Does Judaism believe in reincarnation?

When the Berlin Wall Came Tumbling Down

When the Berlin Wall Came Tumbling Down

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On November 9th, history was made.

Divine Baseball Blooper

Divine Baseball Blooper

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With his team's miraculous World Series performance on the field, one young man marvels at his own miraculous feat.

The Art of Desire: Ethics of the Fathers 1:16

The Art of Desire: Ethics of the Fathers 1:16

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Get a rabbi so he can teach you how to really enjoy life in a permissible, holy fashion.

Smile Though Your Heart Is Aching: Ethics of the Fathers 1:15

Smile Though Your Heart Is Aching: Ethics of the Fathers 1:15

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Work on the externals, and the internals will eventually follow.

Me, Myself and I: Ethics of the Fathers 1:14

Me, Myself and I: Ethics of the Fathers 1:14

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Finding your unique self and sharing it with the world.

Growth or Death: Ethics of the Fathers 1:13

Growth or Death: Ethics of the Fathers 1:13

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He not busy bein' born is busy dyin'.

The Pursuit of peace: Ethics of the Fathers 1:12

The Pursuit of peace: Ethics of the Fathers 1:12

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The path to peace is through loving others and loving Torah.

Measuring Words: Ethics of the Fathers 1:11

Measuring Words: Ethics of the Fathers 1:11

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Our words can make or break our children.

No Short Cuts: Ethics of the Fathers 1:10

No Short Cuts: Ethics of the Fathers 1:10

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When you seek shortcuts in the spiritual, you always lose in the long run.

Hitting the Bull's-Eye: Ethics of the Fathers 1:9

Hitting the Bull's-Eye: Ethics of the Fathers 1:9

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If the mind is prone to rationalization, how can we obtain true objectivity?

Accessing the Judge Within: Ethics of the Fathers 1:8

Accessing the Judge Within: Ethics of the Fathers 1:8

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Be a judge, not a lawyer, especially when it comes to the decisions you need to make in your life.

Human Nature: Inherently Good or Evil? Ethics of the Fathers 1:7

Human Nature: Inherently Good or Evil? Ethics of the Fathers 1:7

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Avoiding the negative clears the path for our inherent goodness.

Crossing The Narrow Bridge, Ethics Of The Fathers 1:6

Crossing The Narrow Bridge, Ethics Of The Fathers 1:6

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What are friends and rabbis for?

The Babe Ruth of Kindness - Ethics of the Fathers 1:5

The Babe Ruth of Kindness - Ethics of the Fathers 1:5

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The Next World is the place to commune with God; this life if an opportunity to perform kindness to others.

Gimme Shelter - Ethics of the Fathers 1:4

Gimme Shelter - Ethics of the Fathers 1:4

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How to turn your house into a Jewish home.

For Heaven's Sake: Ethics of the Fathers 1:3

For Heaven's Sake: Ethics of the Fathers 1:3

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What's your underlying motivation for doing good?

Three Pillars for a Meaningful Life - Ethics of the Fathers 1:2

Three Pillars for a Meaningful Life - Ethics of the Fathers 1:2

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The path to finding permanence in a transitory world.

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