The Shmuz

Parsha in Depth - Shemini

This Shmuz deals with a basic concept in our becoming effective human beings: developing the trait of appreciation.

For almost 2,000 years, the Jewish people have been driven from land to land across the globe. Exiled from our home with the destruction of the Bais Hamikdash, we have been forced from continent to continent and country to country - tortured, oppressed, and banished. For a short while, we find haven in one country, only to be kicked out again and chased to the next place in a never-ending series of tragedies. This reality brings many questions:

Why is the Jewish people so oppressed?
Why is it that the other nations stand up to destroy us in every generation?
Why is it that the one universal law of history is that everyone hates the Jew?

A World Unraveling

We are commanded to love G-d. We are commanded to fear G-d. Yet we really don't know that much about G-d.

We are certainly aware that HASHEM created the world and all that it contains, but how do we move beyond that to actually fearing and loving HASHEM? First, we must become aware of HASHEM's presence and His involvement in our lives, concepts that, while noble, may seem so far removed from our world that they don't seem attainable.

Ahmadinejad, the Palestinians and the Modern Purim Story

Info coming soon, iy"H.

Difficult Life Situation

Of course, he's a nice guy. Everyone is a nice guy. Yet how do you explain all of the pettiness and downright nasty things that people do to one another on an ongoing basis?

This Shmuz focuses us on one of the most important functions in a human: learning to truly care about another human being and sharing his plight.