I think you teach ancient wisdom for Jews Question of the week: Hello, I was wondering why you call your teachings Ancient Jewish Wisdom when it’s really God’s Wisdom for the Jews. Thank you, Racquel Dear Racquel, Sewing enthusiasts frequently hear the advice, “Measure twice and cut once.” Those wise words resonate with anyone who...
Question of the week: Hello, Rabbi. Thanks to you and Mrs. Lapin for your wonderful lessons. I am a Christian and although I read our Old Testament regularly, I always wonder about certain passages each time I come across them. One that disturbs me are several that say the iniquity of the fathers shall be...
More words and more actions We recently observed the 30th anniversary of my father’s death. His influence on my life has not waned. One of his oft-repeated teachings still resonates with me. Saying, ‘thank-you for everything,’ really means thank-you for nothing. Merely mouthing the words ‘thank-you’ is an inadequate response to the good we have...
Among the many things for which we should be grateful, let’s remember to include the idea of a day set aside for giving thanks. In a modern culture that fosters ingratitude and resentment, such a day is ever more so needed.
What will you be giving this year? Our dining room table has all but disappeared. Oh, the wood is still there, but it can’t be seen for all the boxes atop it. You see, over the course of the year, I keep in mind grandchildren’s birthdays and Chanukah presents, accumulating one of this and one...
Who do I choose? I’m a 40 year old woman with a 4 year old son. About 18 months ago my husband of 10 years had an online emotional affair and one day told me that he never really loved me and wanted a separation. I was devastated. He also had an ongoing porn addiction...
Question of the Week: Please excuse the personal question, but my curiosity is overwhelming me. I’ve wondered how a Jew could come from South Africa. I know just enough history to get me in trouble, so I will ask a leading question. Are Rabbi Lapin’s ancestors Sephardic Jews who sought refuge in Portugal before emigrating...
Don’t be an army of one Military tradition has long understood that long before you can hope to control others, you have to have the ability to control yourself. One source of ancient Jewish wisdom, called Ethics of The Fathers, teaches that true strength isn’t forcing our will onto others as much as it is...
Do you remember the soccer moms of 25 years ago, back in 1996? Married, suburban, middle-class mothers with school-age children were seen as a key voting constituency favoring Bill Clinton over Bob Dole. Fast-forward to the ZOOM moms of 2021. Married, suburban, middle-class mothers with school-age children are being seen as a key voting constituency...
Hello Rabbi and Susan, I love your podcast and ancient Jewish wisdom. I love your teachings on entropy and how we need to be constantly vigilant on taking care of ourselves, ‘tending to our garden,’ to make sure we separate ourselves further from animals. My question is, can we take this too far? I mean,...
