I feel so sentenced by your words. I feel so judged and sent away. Before I go, I’ve got to know— is that what you mean to say? Words are windows, or they’re walls; they sentence us, or set us free. When I speak and when I hear, let the love-light shine through me. These...
Medics have coined the term “itch-scratch cycle”—a self-perpetuating loop in which skin irritation (the itch) leads to scratching. Scratching provides temporary relief by triggering pain signals that override the itch, but it also releases chemicals that increase inflammation. This, in turn, damages the skin barrier, leading to even greater irritation and stronger itching. Rabbi Elimelech...
Some of you would have heard the blessing of HaGomel, perhaps after surgery, a long flight, or a frightening experience. It is a blessing of thanks, recited publicly, acknowledging that we have safely emerged from danger. Its roots lie in this week’s parashah, and its message resonates powerfully at our Seder table. In the Torah...
When a Soul Makes a Mistake In his bestselling book Atomic Habits, James Clear writes: “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” What does that mean? It means that our actions do not only affect the world around us — they shape the person we are...
Who owns your time? At first the answer seems obvious: I do. Yet in a world of constant notifications, endless responsibilities, and 24/7 connectivity, many of us feel that our time is rarely our own. Between emails, messages, and the constant pull of our phones, it can sometimes feel as though everyone owns a piece...
Recognising the Gifts We Carry “If you need something done, give it to a busy person.” This idea is captured in a striking verse in this week’s Torah portion: “And into the heart of every wise-hearted person I have placed wisdom.” (Exodus 31:6) The Talmud explains why the “wise-hearted” are given wisdom: “The Holy One,...
REMEMBERING ST. JOHN’S WOOD Many nations have attacked the Jewish people throughout history, but only one is commanded to be remembered as a permanent archetype of evil. The special Maftir for this Shabbat recalls Amalek – not merely as another historical enemy, but as a symbol of something far deeper. His attack was not only...
WHO BEARS THE WITNESS? Earlier this month, Harry Olmer died at the age of 98. He was a survivor of the unimaginable brutality of the Nazi death camps, and dedicated decades of his life to Holocaust education. With his passing, we have lost another of the few remaining eyewitnesses to the evil that was perpetrated....
