Yithro and the Dark Side
Yithro's reaction to hearing of Israel's escape from Egypt is at once liberating and terrifying as it forces us to confront our dark side...
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Beshalach - Spiritual Cause and Effect
The eclipse of the laws of nature by a new order of spiritual cause and effect...
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Terumah, Torah and the Table
Parshas Terumah - From the Torah's account of the placement of the table and the menorah in the mishkan we can get a glimpse of the complexity in the relationship between the needs of body and soul in Judaism.
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Manna from heaven
God rained manna from heaven as a test for the Jewish people in the desert. In what sense was this a test and how is it relevant in practice?
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Be like Avraham Avinu - we need you to take a stand
Two types of nisayon and two ways of dealing - Avraham Avinu or Manna eaters. We need you to take a stand like Avraham and stop assuming that faith demands silence...
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Chukim and Mishpatim - Israel's Mission
Why are chukim so central to Israel's mission of being a Kingdom of Priests? Where are we going wrong in our fulfilment of this mission?
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Shabbat Nachamu
Shabbat Nachamu immediately follows Tisha BAv, and always coincides with the Torah reading of Vaeschanan.
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Rabbi Akiva's students' demise - the curse of Torah without respect
Rabbi Akiva had 12,000 pairs of students and they all died in one period because they didn't treat one-another with respect. Can we put a finger on what the problem was? More importantly, can we make sure we're not suffering from it?
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Counting the Omer and preserving the Oral Tradition of Judaism
The argument about when to begin counting the omer became somewhat of a poster boy for the historical dispute between the literalist sects and the bearers of the Oral Tradition. I want to suggest a reason why that is and why it's important for us, who follow the Oral Torah, to understand this dispute's significance and it's importance for us today.
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What does a talmid chacham have in common with a good steak?
The medrash says that a talmid chacham without da'as is worse than non-kosher meat? How can you be a talmid chacham without da'as?
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Jewish Beliefs - Making Decisions And Living Life
How to live life to the full in Jewish beliefs. Are you living life or is life passing you by?
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Basic Jewish Beliefs - The Freedom To Choose
The freedom to choose is one of the most basic Jewish beliefs. We can achieve greatness by choosing how to respond to external circumstances. But this presents almost a paradox...
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Why self knowledge is hard to find
So many people are on the quest for self knowledge but so few achieve it. Why is self awareness so hard to find? The answer is that we're looking in the wrong place...
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Exodus from Egypt: How to break free of your limitations
The exodus from Egypt is about breaking free from the things that stop us from becoming who we could be. Sometimes you have to stop doing and start imagining.
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From slavery to freedom
The Torah's account of the Jewish people's journey from slavery to freedom is packed with insight about how we can face the things that hold us back from becoming who we could be.
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Are you living on a prayer?
Living on a prayer is fine if it doesn't make a difference if we make it or not! But what if you really do want to make it somewhere? Are you prepared to fight for it?
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Time to jump in
Like for the Jewish people at the sea's edge, there's a time to jump in to the challenge rather than just praying for help...
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Purim Torah
Purim Torah - something to think about and talk about on Purim - How is Yom Kipur like Purim? What's the point of drinking alcohol on Purim?
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Light vs Dark
It's light vs dark out there! This is about more than just how to celebrate Hanukkah. Grab a doughnut and a coffee and come sit down!
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Simon Synett on Judaism for grown-ups | Latest Articles
Simon Synett writes about Judaism and Torah: insights for people who are serious about changing the world.
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On being a parent
I wanted to share a couple of gems on being a parent. If you're busy changing the world, are you taking your children with you on the journey?
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Talking Cars: Advertising from Gehinom!
When I say talking cars, I don't mean your SatNav computer that tells you where to go. No, this is advertising from gehinom.
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Please stop exaggerating
I really think the world would be a slightly better place if we all try to stop exaggerating. Exceed expectations and cause delight instead of disappointment!
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Leaders we deserve
A short post election thought: we get the leaders we deserve...
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Get To Know Yourself Better - Just A Click Away!
Here's a fun online tool that can help you get to know yourself by making you more aware of the kind of words you frequently use. Try it out for yourself
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Irresponsible parents beware
Irresponsible parents ought to think about what might happen if they leave their children unattended...
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Kosher but deadly
Kosher but deadly is a contradiction in terms. For some reason the kashrus authorities don't seem to be bothered. What's the symbolism in the approval of deadly poison?
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Purim madness
This Purim madness has to stop. Rabbonim, it's time to take the lead and teach people perspective and how to think rationally for God's sake. Lo taamod al dam re'echa!
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Mishloach Manos Madness
To stop the mishloach manos madness, rabbis need to take the lead and come out with a halakhic ruling against this practice.
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Beit Shemesh, Are You Voting From Fear?
In Beit Shemesh, Abutbul supporters are trying to harness locals' fear against voting for Shalom Lerner.
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Beit Shemesh elections: Protekzia vs Accountability
In Beit Shemesh, is protekzia going to prevent us from seeing a more accountable local government?
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Simon Synett's Protekzia.com
Find out more about Simon Synett, founder/author of Protekzia.com.
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