The Power of Not Knowing…
It’s been said that knowledge is power.   I can see how this may be true (if one acts on their knowledge), but I would also argue that in some cases a lack of knowledge is also powerful…power of a different nature. In this past week’s parasha (Toldot) we see for the first time in his commentary on the Torah, Rashi admitting to not knowing the reason for some particular wording in a verse.  Rashi (acronym for Rabbi Shlomo Yitzhaki), who is the foremost commentator on Jewish Scripture, gives a simple meaning of a verse, but without his input a deeper meaning (and even basic understanding) of the verse is

First Impression
Recently I updated my Facebook status as something to the effect that I’m very happy right now, and I haven’t been this happy in a LONG time. The speculation as to why I am so happy was honed in to basically one possible reason: my being engaged. As much as I think that would make me happier than I’ve been in a while…I’m happy to write that I’m very happy even not being engaged! Most of the cause I think is the fact that I’m finally living a goal I set almost 5 years ago, and that sense of accomplishment, coupled with the elation that comes with doing what I think I was created to do, sends my soul soaring! But there is another key to my “success” a

Update
I’ve now been in Israel two months and wanted to give an update of what’s going on in my world for those that are interested. Our yeshiva has grown to about 23 guys now (I think) and that’s the full group. As a group we’re starting to normalize socially with our new “audience” and environment, and I’ve adapted to our tedious learning schedule. For several weeks I’ve had trouble falling asleep. This often happens to me in cycles…not sure why, not sure how to predict. Thank G-d I was able to procure a fan and the white noise it provides has been really helpful in finding that elusive companion known as slumber. We’re holding at about a daf (

The Day G-d is Crowned “King”
Rosh HaShanah seems so long ago now…I’m writing after the completion of the High Holiday season and I’m not the same person I was a mere few weeks ago. Hashem has been so very kind to me in regards to His festivals.  By that I mean, my experiences on these days usually transcend what’s written in the prayer book, Torah reading for the day, shiurim (sermons), etc., and often these expereinces correlate with the theme of the festival. For example, several years ago I was “let off” by the Air Force which was downsizing at the time, and it was just in time for the High Holidays of that year (2006).  I was still getting paid throu

The Kotel
The first week of class I kept looking for ways to sneak out to see the Kotel (Western Wall).  I mean, it’s the highlight of the tour so to speak and I didn’t want to spend another moment nearby but not seeing it.  It didn’t take long to find out that another student wanted to go also, and we decided to go on our day off (Friday).  We took a cab instead of the bus because of time constraints and we VERY quickly arrived at out destination in typical Israeli cab driver fashion. Several years of anticipation had built up to this moment.  How would I react?  Would I cry?  Would I smile?  I cried when I ordered my ticket, surely I’d cry as I ap