Is Peace in the Family an Act of Futility? — By Ben
There’s no doubt that family can be a major source of anxiety, frustration, and worry. Parents may be quick to offer unsolicited advice, siblings can hold long standing grudges, and […]
Anger – You Resolve, God Tests — By Ben
I don’t consider myself an angry person. That being said, when I was child, I do remember kicking a hole in my wall. Which I lied to my parents about […]
When Pain Makes it Impossible to Pray to God — By Ben
Just the other day my best friends had a bris for their son and my wife and I were honored with the ritual of kvater. If you’re not familiar, the […]
Yom Kippur – “Is Confession Jewish?” Mistranslating Viduy — By Ben
Teshuva! Teshuvah! Teshuvah! Is there anything more trumpeted during the high holidays? (Other than the shofar of course.) With Yom Kippur imminent, our leaders implore us to perform this holy […]
Rosh Hashanah – Write Yourself into the Book of Life — By Ben
The critical theme of the high holidays is the hope that we will be written and sealed by God in the Book of Life. But the truth is, most of […]
Rick & Morty & Religion: Demonstration in Satire — By Ben
Rick and Morty, the pop culture juggernaut, rivals animation giants The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park. It takes mind-bending sci-fi concepts to the next level, and its irreverent satire appeals to teens and […]
Reading Shoftim at Jury Duty — By Ben
I find it interesting that during the week of the Torah portion of Shoftim, literally judges, I happen to be at the LA county courthouse for jury duty. Clearly Hashem […]
Shema – Two Ways to Learn — By Ben
In the past I’ve discussed the differences between the first paragraph of Shema and the second. The first paragraph is generally referred to as the V’ahavta, while the second paragraph […]
Iyov – Blaming Those Who Suffer — By Ben
As I continue on into Sefer Iyov, we see how the title character struggles with suffering on the most personal of levels. After passing his first test, the Satan inflicts […]
Iyov – The Suffering and Silence of Job — By Ben
This Sunday we’ll observe the fast of Tammuz, kicking off the mourning period known as the 3 Weeks. The ritual culminates with Tisha B’Av which remembers the destruction of the […]
Six Degrees Of Kosher Bacon 