STRIKES …your labor belongs to you and you shouldn’t be forced to sell it, except on conditions you find acceptable.The Chronicle Herald, 4/7/01 How can a doctor strike? Or a police officer? Or a fire-fighter? For a few extra bucks these people are willing to let other people
Read more →VIOLENCE AND WAR[1] What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy? – Mahatma Gandhi[2] I must study politics and war that my sons may have
Read more →PETA’s letter to Yasser ArafatFebruary 3, 2003 Yasser Arafat, PresidentPalestinian National Authority Ramallah, West BankPalestinian Authority 1 page via facsimile: 972 7 282 2365 Your Excellency: I am writing from an organization dedicated to fighting animal abuse around the world. We have received many calls and letters from
Read more →Astrology Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Get in touch with your playful side. Do something creative like change your hairstyle, shoot a roll of black-and-white film on your old camera, or rearrange your furniture. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). You party child! If anyone knows how to have a good time,
Read more →Do You Believe in MAGIC? David was a student in his final year of studies at one of the top law schools in the country. An observant Jew who was always very curious about other beliefs and practices, David was quick to notice the announcement about a
Read more →DREAM ENCOUNTERS Arkansas Man Dreams Numbers; Wins Largest Keno Prize An Arkansas man “about fainted” when he won $50,000 using eight numbers that came to him in a dream the night before. Thurman “Gene” Pennel, 69, of Garfield, Ark., said he dreamed the numbers 6, 7, 34, 35, 36, 37,
Read more →Ghosts and Apparitions They said the house was haunted …I decided to prove them wrong and explore the house myself. I took my trusted dog with me one day and I entered the doorway. My dog’s hair raised on his back and he ran away. Thinking nothing
Read more →DEMONS & DYBUK The Tale of the Talking Fish …Whatever one calls it, the tale of the talking fish has spread in recent weeks throughout this tight-knit community, populated by about 7,000 members of the Skver sect of Hasidim, and throughout the Hasidic world, inspiring heated debate,
Read more →When G-d Talks to Us Jennifer was visiting New York City with a few friends. As the group walked down 42nd street in Midtown Manhattan a strange-looking man with wild eyes began talking loudly about the ‘End of Days’. He was standing on top of a milk crate with a sign that said “Messiah”
Read more →King Tut’s Tomb* King Tut (Tutankhamun) was the only pharaoh whose tomb hadn’t yet been discovered by the end of the First World War. An English archaeologist named Howard Carter had spent several years looking for it with no luck. His digging expeditions had been paid for
Read more →RESURRECTION[1] “I always thought resurrection was a fundamentalist Christian idea. After seeing too many horror movies, it seems so ridiculous. Does Judaism actually believe in it also?” – Sarah N,, 28, Oregon “Resurrection? Of course I believe in resurrection. In fact, I pray for it every day: “Please
Read more →Déjà vu All Over Again (A Torah View of Reincarnation) Titu Singh was two and a half years old when he began to tell his family of his other life in Agra, a city in northern India. His memories were quite specific: he said that he had been
Read more →Death PITTSBURGH (AP) — James Henry Smith was a zealous Pittsburgh Steelers fan in life, and even death could not keep him from his favorite spot: in a recliner, in front of a TV showing his beloved team in action. Smith, 55, of Pittsburgh, died of prostate
Read more →Mourning[1] The address was right but was I at the right house? There were many cars parked in front, people hanging out on the porch joking around, with a drink in one hand and a plate of pastries in the other. It was very loud. ‘Nice party’,
Read more →ANATOMY OF THE SOUL ‘I’m a soul man’ – The BlueBrothers A man said to me, ‘I don’t believe in the existence of the soul.’ I asked him: ‘Who is “I”?’ – Jack Winograd Points to Ponder: · Do you think people have souls?[1] · What is a soul?
Read more →CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET? SHOULD YOU? You are a doctor in a small town. One of your patients has become terminally ill. The patient just got engaged to a young woman who does not know about the illness. You know her and her family as well. What do
Read more →Rabbi Tanchum Burton LYING[1] Alex is the director of the chemicals division of a large company. He is informed that a team of internal auditors from headquarters will arrive at his door for an audit in 48 hours. His staff prepares as best they can. The day
Read more →Tefillah When We Talk To G-d Dateline: 1997. Psalms were being recited in synagogues around the world. Women had accepted the call to light Shabbat candles for the first time. Just before Shabbat, the hostage’s mother, Esther Wachsman, made a dramatic and emotional appearance on Israeli television,
Read more →Medicine vs. G-d J’s Witness seeks to control careThe Globe and Mail, CanadaApr. 8, 2005 VANCOUVER — At 14, she has already endured a cancer diagnosis, surgery, two rounds of chemotherapy, and a blood clot on her heart. Now, the devout Jehovah’s Witness, from Vernon, B.C., is waging
Read more →The First Commandment…(or is it?) Emunah (Belief) Many people were introduced to the Ten Commandments via Charlton Heston’s famous movie of the same name. The truth be told, this is one of those times where the book is a ‘heckuva’ lot better than the movie. The Torah
Read more →Ruth Ruth was a Moabite princess who married a Jew. After her husband died, Ruth chose to become Jewish and to move to Israel with Naomi, her mother-in-law. Ruth later married Boaz, the leader of the Jewish people. Their great-grandson was King David. Her dedication to G-d and Judaism has made
Read more →Hannah Hannah, one of the seven prophetesses[i], was the wife of the prophet Elakanah. After being barren for many years, Hannah gave birth to a son, Samuel. Hannah promised to raise Samuel to the service of G-d, and he grew up to be a prophet, as well as one
Read more →REBECCA (Rebbeca) Rebecca was the second Matriarch of the Jewish people. She was the sister of the evil Lavan, and the great niece of the Patriarch Abraham. Rebecca married Isaac and was the mother of the twins Jacob and Esau. When she was kidnapped by King Avimelech, G-d intervened
Read more →MIRIAM Miriam was one of the greatest prophetesses who ever lived. Born in the year 2363, or 1398 BCE, in Egypt, she was the great-granddaughter of the patriarch Jacob, the older sister of Aaron and Moses, and the ancestor of the future kings of Israel. In the merit of
Read more →Sarah Imeinu A great prophetess, Sarah was the first Matriarch of the Jewish People. She left her birthplace in Mesopotamia with her husband Abraham and traveled to Israel[i]. Due to her startling beauty, she was taken hostage on two occasions. In both instances, miraculous events led to her
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