Angel for Shabbat

Lose the Rat Race: Thoughts for Shabbat Teshuva and Yom Kippur

Thoughts for Shabbat Teshuva and Yom Kippur

by Rabbi Marc D. Angel

Dr. Bruno Bettelheim wrote that "today's popular conviction is that life is a rat race." People have become so engrossed in the battles to get ahead materially in this world, that they tend to put aside the claims of the soul.

As we compete in the rat race, we may not even realize how thoroughly we have abandoned our inner freedom, our quest for ultimate meaning. We want to win the rat race even if it means compromising or abandoning the values that imbue life with genuine meaning.

Thoughts for Succoth 5770

Most of our religious observances are indoors--in our homes, in our synagogues.We generally do not like to create a public spectacle of our religious experiences, but we behave modestly and try not to call attention to ourselves as we perform mitzvoth.

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Racial/Ethnic Discrimination? Thoughts on Parashat Shofetim, August 22, 2009

"...lest his heart become haughty against his brethren..." Devarim 17:20

University Network--Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals

Best wishes to you as the academic year is getting underway. The Institute for Jewish Ideas and Ideals is here to be of service to you; it fosters an intellectually vibrant, compassionate and inclusive Orthodox Judaism. If you have questions or issues you'd like to discuss one-to-one, please feel free to contact me: [email protected]

Dissent, yes; Rebellion, no: Thoughts on Parashat Korah, June 27, 2009

Korah foments a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, and is depicted in Jewish history as an arch-villain and trouble-maker. The Pirkei Avot describes Korah's rebellion as having been conducted "shelo leshem shamayim", not for the sake of Heaven. Like many demagogues, Korah appeals to the masses and tries to turn them against the existing leadership. Korah argues: all the congregation is holy--why should power reside only in Moses and Aaron?

Righteousness, not Self-Righteousness:Thoughts for Shabbat Hazon, July 25, 2009

"Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil; learn to do well; seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the orphan, plead for the widow. Come let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah, chapter 1, verses 16-18)

Desecration of God's Name: Sanctification of God's Name--Thoughts on Parashat Va-et-hanan, August 1, 2009

And you shall keep and fulfill [the laws of the Torah]; for that is your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the nations that will hear all these statutes and will say: 'what a wise and understanding nation is this people.' (Devarim 4:6)

Remembering My Father: Thoughts on Parashat Eikev, August 8, 2009

Anti-Semitism, Here? Now? Thoughts for Shabbat Re'eh, August 15, 2009

"Any weapon whetted against you shall not succeed, and any tongue that contends with you in judgment, you shall condemn; this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their due reward from Me, says the Lord." Isaiah 54:17

When I came to synagogue on Tuesday morning August 11, I was told at the door by our superintendant that there was going to be an anti-Jewish rally right across the street. I had not been notified about this in advance, and was puzzled why a "rally" was being staged against us.