Ethics 2000
May 18, 2000
A rabbi in a small community in pre-Holocaust Europe experienced rabbinic burn-out. No matter what he did, no one seemed to appreciate it.
Rabbi Elazar Muskin
An Attitude Problem
March 2, 2000
The personals sections in an Israeli newspaper contained the following ad:
\”Jewish man seeks partner who will attend shul with him, light Shabbat candles, celebrate holidays, build sukkah together, and go with him to brit milah and bar mitzvah celebrations. Religion not important.\”
The absurdity, of course, makes us laugh, but the humorous story actually emphasizes an important message contained in this week\’s portion. The Torah underscores that not only is religion itself important, but our attitudes about it are crucial.
Children Count
January 13, 2000
Children often are pestered by well-meaning adults. I remember as a child having my cheeks pinched, or, even worse, my ear lobe pulled by some sweet elderly lady. Recounting this experience at one of my evening classes, one student seriously asked me, \”Rabbi, did she pull down or pull up?\”
No Miracles Needed
November 4, 1999
Onkelos, with just one insightful translation, let all subsequent generations know that deeds, not miracles, must be our guide.
Creative Rest
October 7, 1999
During the past few months, I have had contact with a friendly pastor, who is sincerely concerned about the future of the Jewish people both here and in Israel.
The Parent Trap
August 19, 1999
We currently seem more perplexed than ever by the challenge of child rearing, by the dynamics involved in the \”generation gap\” that has led to the current gory headlines.
All Jews Count
July 15, 1999
It is a familiar sight. On each flight to Israel, in the back of the plane, a minyan gathers for services.
Family Feud
June 17, 1999
Recently, on a visit to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, I shared an elevator ride with a well-dressed man who was carrying a bulging portfolio under his arm. Wondering what he was doing in the hospital, I inquired about the nature of his visit. He replied that he was a lawyer visiting a client. I was impressed with such compassion and asked, \”Do you visit every client that is in the hospital?\” He immediately explained that this was a rare visit. \”My client called me in great rage. She insisted that I come right over. She wants to change her will before it is too late. The reason for her sudden decision is that yesterday she had a fight with one of her relatives, and her daughter encouraged her to remove that relative\’s name from the will. So here I am.\”
A Place Where We All Feel at Home
April 8, 1999
This past summer, while leading a Jewish Heritage tour through Central and Eastern Europe, we spent Shabbat in the beautiful city of Prague.
Mr. Nobody
April 1, 1999
A senior colleague once told me that when he was a student in college, he took a creative writing course. One of his classmates could express himself beautifully but could not conceive any creative ideas on his own. He would always turn to my colleague for ideas and then proceed to write an excellent paper. Thanks to his writing skills, he earned a doctorate and eventually became chairman of a English department at a Midwest university.
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