When our inner beings, our unique individuality, is on display, we contaminate by making it the public image we want others to recognize; we are selling our inner essence to the public. However, when we are fully secure in our uniqueness, when our identities are secure, we hide from the public this inner being that distinguishes us as individuals. In this state we can work on our inner being, grow it and develop it.  We contract our essence, and we use it to see but not to be seen. Fashion is an expression of individuality; uniform expresses our roles in society but reveals nothing of our individuality.

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Humility and self-sufficiency, while challenging at first, leads to a vitality not previously experienced.

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Kavanah means much more than mindfulness and attention. Kavanah means directionality.

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The desecration of Shabbat is the embracing of secularism – a worldview vacuous of Kedusha.

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Brutality is a more intense version of cruelty and manifests deep hatred.

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People experience honor (and disrespect) in different ways. The difference is especially pronounced between genders.

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Causing someone shame is a form of damage for which compensation can be demanded. This is בושת. However, פגם is different. פגם diminishes the value of the individual in the eyes of others.

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Since everything is predetermined, what gives us the right to intervene in the unfolding of Hashem’s plans for justice? If we see someone about to murder another, what gives us the right to intervene by killing the perpetrator?

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Aloofness, a characteristic that smacks of arrogance is different from exaltedness which, as a characteristic of Hashem, is Divine in its essence. How does one avoid their exalted character to become contaminated with aloofness? We will learn how from Hashem Himself.

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Tragically, we often appreciate value only after we have experienced loss. Simulate loss in order to appreciate value – value of things, of people, and even of oneself.

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