It didn’t take long for the wannabes to claim the mantle of daring journalism. It seems it took only a few hours until the saying Je Suis Charlie showed up on Twitter and tee shirts.
Shlomo Skinner
Butler and Baker
Parshat Vayeishev 5775
This week’s parsha ends with Joseph in prison.
He’s been a model prisoner and has been put in charge of all the other prisoners.
Then Pharaoh gets angry with his chief butler and chief baker and throws them into the same prison with Joseph.
One night the butler and baker have dreams that leave them troubled.
Rachel and Leah
Vayeitze 5775
It’s easy to detect the competition between Rachel and Leah for Jacob’s affections in Parshat Vayeitze.
Though Yaakov married both sisters, it’s clear that Rachel was his favorite.
IDF and Religion
The modern State of Israel continues to struggle with its identity.
Is this a Jewish State or a state where some Jews happen to live?
I’ve seen two manifestations of this problem already this week.
Jewish Meditation Course
It was the Shabbat after Rosh HaShana. I was at shul for mincha. And because it was a bright, sunny day most of the lower windows in the shul were open.
It was time to take out the Sefer Torah. I stood and moved towards the ark.
As I did I heard an odd noise over my left shoulder.
The Power of Habit – Is This the Key to Teshuva?
When I first heard the idea my reaction was very negative.
We like to think of ourselves as rational beings.
Leadership in the Wilderness – Book Review
For several months now I’ve been reading Leadership in the Wilderness by Dr. Erica Brown.
During that whole time I’ve been going back and forth in my mind about whether or not to write a review.
Hacked
Introduction
As I announced on Facebook, Thinking Torah was hacked about ten days ago.
I thought it would be worthwhile to write a few words about the whole event and my thoughts about the experience.
Why Is Chanukah 8 Days?
One of the interesting aspects of living in Jerusalem are the constant encounters with Jewish history.
For example, one of the Light Rail stops is Shimon HaTzadik, named after one of the High Priests.
When the train pulls into that station I often have two thoughts.
Book Review – The Sages
The Sages by Rabbi Binyamin Lau
After the defeat of Bar Kochba the Jewish world was in turmoil. The sages gathered in Usha in the Galilee to strengthen Torah observance.
Their work shaped the Jewish world we live in today.