A wealthy mobster had an accountant who was the only one who knew where millions were hidden. But the man was deaf. One day, the boss needed the money, brought in a sign-language interpreter, and demanded, “Where’s my money?”
The accountant signed: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The boss pulled out a gun. “Tell him I’ll blow his brains out if he doesn’t talk!”
The interpreter signed the threat. The accountant panicked and signed: “The money is buried in the backyard, under the rose bush.”
The boss barked: “What did he say?”
The interpreter shrugged: “He said you don’t have the guts to pull the t… Read More »
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Parasha Insights
Yom Kippur Forgiveness That Heals
HAPPY NEW YEAR
For 25 years, a woman couldn’t sleep because she feared burglars. One night, her husband went downstairs after hearing a noise — and found a burglar. “Good evening,” he said. “Come upstairs and meet my wife. She’s been waiting 25 years to meet you!”
Jews are worriers. A Jewish mother once cabled her son: “Start worrying. Details to follow.” Or as they say: A pessimist says, “It can’t get worse.” The optimist says, “Oh yes, it can.”
But worrying, like a rocking chair, gives us something to do and gets us nowhere.
We live in the Age of Anxiety. We worry about health, money, our kids, politics, and global threats. Studies … Read More »
Today You Become a People of our G-d Who Loves YOU
A couple was in the middle of a terrible fight when a gunman broke into their home. He pointed a rifle at the wife and asked her name.
“Elizabeth,” she whispered.
“This is your lucky night,” he said. “My mother’s name was Elizabeth. I can’t kill you.”
Then he turned to the husband. “What’s your name?”
Shaking, he replied: “Harry… but they call me Elizabeth.”
It’s a funny story — but it points to something very deep. Sometimes our very identity is the difference between life and death.
Moses’ Strange Declaration
In this week’s parsha, after 40 years in the desert, Moses says:
“Pay attention, Israel. Today, you have becom… Read More »
Why Such Irrational Hate?
This week’s portion, Ki Teitzei, commands: “Remember what Amalek did to you… You shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget.”
This is one of the most difficult mitzvos. How can the Torah, which proclaims “Do not murder” and affirms that every human being is created in the image of G-d, command the eradication of Amalek?
The Struggle of King Saul
Even King Shaul struggled with this. The prophet Shmuel told him to destroy Amalek, but Shaul spared their king Agag and their cattle out of compassion. Shmuel rebuked him, declaring that this misplaced mercy cost him his throne. That very night, Agag fathered a child, and generations later, his descendant was Haman, wh… Read More »