The Rabbi’s Decree

And, so the Rabbi’s decree “A man should honor his wife more than himself and love her as much as he loves himself.” – Maimonides

The salvation of man is through love and in love

The most important sphere of giving, however, is not that of material things, but lies in the specifically human realm. What does one person give to another? He gives of himself, of the most precious he has, he gives of his life. This does not necessarily mean that he sacrifices his life for the other- but that he gives him of that which is alive in him; he gives him of his joy, of his interest, of his understanding, of his knowledge, of his humor, of his sadness- of all expressions and manifestations of that which is alive in him. In thus giving of his life, he enriches the other person; he enhances the other's sense of aliveness by enhancing his own sense of aliveness. He does not give in order to receive; giving is in itself exquisite joy. But in giving he cannot help bringing something to life in the other person, and this which is brought to life reflects back to him; in truly giving, he cannot help receiving that which is given back to him. Giving implies to make the other person a giver also and they both share in the joy of what they have brought to life. In the act of giving something is born, and both persons involved are grateful for the life that is born for both of them. Specifically with regard to love this means: love is a power which produces love; impotence is the inability to produce love. - Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

Emulating Aaron

The importance of emulating Aaron is demonstrated in this week’s parsha in the encounter between Moshe, Aaron and Pharaoh. Aaron "loved peace and pursued peace, loved mankind and drew them closer to Torah.

When necessity dictates that we deal in a strict manner with others as Moshe and Aaron did with Pharaoh in Va'eira, we must always make sure that we employ "the staff of Aaron" - and are guided solely by the highest principles of love for our fellow Jew.

Not boycott, buy-cott

On Tuesday, November 30, anti-Israel activists in New York plan to demonstrate and call for boycotts of stores that sell Israeli products aspart of the BDS campaign against Israel - Boycott, Divest, Sanction. In response, people in all locations are encouraged to take part in an Israeli product BUY-cott, and purchase Israeli goods on Tuesday (and everyday!)

(I love Jews)

love, fear and belief

Heard at the Shabbat table...There is a little truth behind every joke...

Sephardic Jews love god, but don’t fear him. Ashkenazi Jews fear god, but don’t believe in him.