The world feels apocalyptic right now and throbbing under the surface is the intriguing message of Chazal that it was in the merit of righteous women that we were saved in the past and it is in the merit of righteous women that we will be saved in the future. Despite the heartwarming deluge of […]
Motherhood is put on a pedestal in Judaism. This works well for the women who are naturally nurturing, who love small children, and who might choose kindergarten teacher as their dream job. But what about those women whose teeth are set on edge by board games, who—even as they’re inspired by the image of happy […]
“She said no. Hey, did you sign up for the new Chase Sapphire card?” said Mr. Anonymous-Yeshivah-Bochur-Number-One (herewith referred to as AYB1) about Rochi Kichel who had finally axed the shidduch after a series of uninspiring dates. AYB1’s anonymous friends (ABY2 and ABY3), accept this with equanimity and quickly segue into a gripping conversation about […]
Vashti was probably the first radical feminist. The Maharal tells us that her very name, Vashti, comes from the word shtayim, two, and is an indication of her split loyalties. She still held on with both hands, to her identity as her father’s daughter, even after she was married. Perhaps Vashti was the initiator of […]
Atribute to my beloved mother, Mrs. Paula Eisemann, may she rest in peace, on her yahrtzeit. Being in mourning for a loved one can be transforming. Life goes barreling on, demanding its due, like a hungry child. Babies are born, engagements take place, weddings are celebrated, seasons pass, colors and fashions change and beckon as […]
Afriend shared a mini-episode from her life which turned out to be a great metaphor for the contrast between the public and private arena. Within less than a minute of limping into her humble abode after attending a gala affair, my friend’s contact lenses were happily ensconced in her lens case and her glasses were […]
Depending on who you are or what your cultural milieu is, Ruth can be seen either as a heroine or an anti-heroine. On the one hand, she is the main protagonist of the Book of Ruth, on the other she is so self-effacing as to almost disappear off the pages. On the one hand, the […]
“And they lived happily ever after” is a great ending for a children’s story, but we cynical adults smirk at the thought. We’ve been around long enough to know there are no happy endings. And yet, as Jews, it seems we are meant to get beyond that cynicism. We really do believe there will come […]
Some things just can’t be forced. One of them is love. The most powerful person in the world, even if he owns all that money and talent can buy, still cannot force someone to love him. While he may be able to coerce someone to act as if they love, no one can control another’s heart. That […]
Purim is such a happy day, but amidst all the merrymaking, gifts of food and charity to the poor, lurks the seemingly incongruous mitzvah to eradicate the memory of Amalek. Historically, Jews don’t seem to be able to muster up a lot of aggression even in the best of circumstances. The happy, slightly besotted and […]
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