Cheshvan — the bitter taste of hope
The Flood began in the month of Cheshvan. Another bitter event. But then, when the Flood ended, Noah released the dove of hope. And that hope had the bitter taste of an olive branch. Tell me, have yo…
Inspiration from Anat
Explore Inspiration from Anat at Neshama Sheli: articles and reading collections about Jewish life. Discover the section and related topics for further reading.
Trash or Temple?
20 years ago, I taught 4 subjects to eleventh-grade classes at a Jewish school. I didn't have ready access to the Internet, nor did I have children or a television... So, to keep from getting bored i…
The Abandoned Organ
This morning I was walking down the street when I suddenly saw an organ. The surprise took my breath away. And so did its beauty. Then my surprise gave way to a pang of pity for this majestic instrum…
A New Calendar, or Please Write Me In!
Yesterday my daughters brought home from school a calendar for the new year, 5782. There was nothing unusual about that—every year they bring home a calendar and hang it on the wall. And yet there is…
Groundhog Day
I picked up the phone and called my elderly neighbor two floors up. “I should have done this long ago,” I thought as the phone rang and rang. “Although we have been shut in for two weeks, we still go…
Shabbat Zachor and the Danger of Hypothermia
A long week has come to an end. We got so much done: we worked, studied, walked, ran, reached agreements, clashed, ran late, and shopped, shopped, shopped. And very soon we will be able to exhale and…
About Winter and Citrus - A Couple of Lines on the Eve of Shabbat
Winter in Israel is gray and damp. First we wait a long time for rain, and when it finally pours down on us as a blessing from heaven, we vainly try to shelter under umbrellas and jump over endless p…
Tevet - A Time to Warm One Another with Love
Lately, every evening I have been looking back on the day just past. One by one, images of its events follow one another - from the earliest morning to the latest evening - and together they form one…
I Would Have Prayed...
"So, Mr. and Mrs. Cohen, I regret to have to inform you that your son is not a good fit for our yeshiva. He is packing his things now and will go home with you today." The head of the yeshiva fell si…