Vaetchanan 5778

“And you shall greatly guard your souls…”

(Devarim 4:15)

All for One?

Aryeh sat at his desk, diligently working on his latest assignment. He took his job, as an agent at the Israeli Security Agency (The Shabbak), very seriously. Which is why, when he was urgently called into his supervisor’s office, Aryeh couldn’t imagine what the man wanted from him. In fifteen years of his work at the ISA, Aryeh had never been called in to his supervisor, like this.

Shabbat Chazon 5778

Convenient Covenant

David looked at the calendar and groaned. Tisha B’Av was only three days away. David was generally scrupulous to keep all the mitzvot, however, he found fasts particularly difficult. Year after year, he would approach his rabbi, and ask if there was any kind of leniency to allow David not to fast. And, year after year, the rabbi would patiently explain that, given that this was a matter of discomfort, and not danger, David was required to fast. As David got older, the challenge of fasting only intensified. It looked like David would have no choice but to fast this year, as well.

Matot-Masei 5778

The Meat of the Matter

Arik and Aharon are learning together in a secular college, in southern Israel. At first, it seemed to them that they were the only religious students on campus. However, after a while, they began to pick up on the fact that many of the students came from somewhat observant families.

Pinchas 5778

"…from your vows and your offerings…” (Bamidbar 29:39)

Net Value

Shaul sat at the edge of the couch, his eyes fixed intently on the screen in front of him. The game was nearly over, and the score was tied at 0-0. As an avid soccer fan, Shaul had been following the World Cup games for two weeks. Now, at this crucial point in the game, Shaul’s eyes frantically darted back and forth, hardly daring to blink, as his eyes willed the ball in the direction of the opposing team’s net.