Hi – Hope you’re having a great day. … Chinese president Hu Jinatao is in the United States. And will be in Chicago today. What does this have to do with the Torah Minute? Everything! Because among the issues that always come up? Human rights violations in China. American leaders always bring it up. And […]

Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. … Last Shabbat Jews all over the world read the Torah portion Kedoshim.  The Torah tells us that we need to be holy.  To live spiritual lives. It’s not surprising. After all, what’s a Bible without talking about holiness? What religion doesn’t talk about spirituality? But what is […]

Hope you’re having a great day. … I wanted to share an experience that I had this week. I was asked to speak for a group of Jewish high school kids. Something I love to do! The topic was up to me. But it had to be short.  And something they would listen to. (And […]

Hope you’re having a great day. …This week’s Torah portion is about marriage. Abraham sends his trusted servant Eliezer to find a wife for Isaac. And Eliezer sets up a test. The test is about chessed.  Acts of kindness. Because acts of kindness are central to a successful marriage. And Rebecca passes the test with […]

Hope you’re having a great day. If you read the Torah Minutes you’ve seen it many times. One of the most fundamental Jewish teachings. “Man is created in the Image of G-d”! There is something G-dly in every human being. And that entitles them to respect and dignity. What is this Divine Image? It means […]

Hi, children parents respect speech Hope you’re having a great day. … A dad is walking through a mall with his six year old daughter. And the inevitable happens. She sees a toy she likes. “Oh. Please. Can I get that?” The father says, “Don’t you have enough toys to keep you busy for a […]

Hi, Let’s face it. Being young and athletic is revered in our culture. Our kids worship great basketball players. The Olympic athletes will return as heroes. … And when we get a bit older. Start slowing down? Can’t move around on the tennis court like we used to? We deny it! “I am not getting […]

Hi, GOSSIP SPEECH RELATIONSHIPS More on gossip, Lashon Harah. The ability to speak is a wonderful gift. The right words can lift a person’s spirits. Make them smile. With our words we can create relationships. … Lashon Harah is the exact opposite. Our words are used to bring people down. To cause other people pain. […]

Hi, You don’t have to be a Torah scholar to answer this one. What is the Torah likely to say about cursing someone? I’m sure you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that the Torah is against it! But how the Torah says it is very interesting. “Do not curse a deaf person”.  (Leviticus, 19:14) If […]

Hi, Hope you’re having a great day. Moshe can’t get out of it. As much as he tries, G-d insists.  “You’re the man”! So Moshe is about to leave Midian and go to back to Egypt. For the most important mission in world history. To free the Jews and bring them to Mount Sinai. They […]