Why did God initially command Abraham to bring Isaac as an offering? What was God seeking to gain from this?
Witnessing these Holocaust-like horrors raises many daunting questions that will impact our faith, prayer, and relationship with God for years to come.
Along with the profound mourning and the heart-wrenching sorrow, we look forward, empowered by the faith that “the Eternal One of Israel does not lie.”
What possible purpose was achieved by torturing, raping, and disfiguring bodies? What could be gained by murdering octogenarians or by burning babies? Nothing but hatred.
We must recognize Hamas and Hezbollah and the bulk of the Palestinians for what they indisputably are: the modern-day reincarnation of the Nazis. There is no limit to their evil.
God expects us to respond to a crisis by improving our behavior.
Perhaps some of the prayers during this Yom Kippur can help us to not only to reflect on our lives but also to take actions in the year ahead that will help heal the world.
When we enter the sukkah, we are called upon to remember that our well-being – health, relationships, sustenance – is a gift from God.
The “natural” symbolism of the Four Species illustrates that natural human goodness is an expression of the divine, even when it isn’t accompanied by full religious commitment.
Commemorating the holiday in which we are commanded to be happy is something we cherish.