Parsha Vayelech: The Torah of Change

Hello and welcome to the days of returning. We are now in the 10 days between Rosh haShanah (head of change in Hebrew) and Yom Kippor (Hebrew for day of atonement.  It is also called Yom haKipporim which means:  the day like Purim).  These 10 days are called days of repentance, however the Hebrew word for repentance, tshuvah, really means an answer or a return.  You see, on Rosh haShanah we invoked the beginning of change.  Now we are in … Continue reading

Your Desire vs God’s Will… or How Do We Know God’s Will?

Hello and welcome to the Thursday Shmooze.  We haven’t had one for the last few weeks because of Passover, but now that the holydays have passed, it is time to shmooze! This week a friend brought me an interesting question.  It starts with the end of Passover; specifically the splitting of the sea.  Now according to the midrash, there was a man named Nachshom who was the first to walk into the sea.  The water got up to his nose … Continue reading