We’re still grieving the horrendous terrorist attack in the Neve Yaacov neighborhood of Jerusalem this past Shabbat. How should we react? An old but very true expression says that you can’t fight fire with fire. One doesn’t extinguish a fire by lighting more fires. So how do we… [Read more...]

The old wagon-master was lamenting the broken-down inn that no longer stood, while bitter-sweetly reminiscing about what he used to do there in his youth, but can no longer do in his old age. What was Rebbe Nachman conveying in this seemingly lewd… [Read more...]

Life's obstacles and difficulties are definitely not punishments from Above. Indeed, they are concealed gifts for our ultimate benefit, coming from the Divine GPS that's designed to guide us along a better route - a path in life that we might not have initiated or even considered on our… [Read more...]

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev lauds the virtue of personal prayer, especially at night and away from the beaten path. He says that when a person speaks to the Creator in his or her own words, all of creation joins in. I took my flute at midnight to a hill in Judea and here's what came… [Read more...]

Music for me is a form of prayer. Where the words end, a melody from deep down begins. This is the song of the soul. Sometimes, souls are tongue-tied, like one day when I was really down on myself. Escaping to the desert, I grabbed a backpack with nothing more than a bottle of water and a flute.… [Read more...]

Both Moses and the Egyptian sorcerers had sticks that turned into snakes. But, there was a big difference. They threw their sticks on the floor. Moses simply spoke to his stick. What do we learn from… [Read more...]

Sometimes, what appears to be a worst-case scenario is really the best. Without our realizing, the person who we think is our worst adversary is really our best advocate. We're in for a big surprise and even a bigger shock, something we never… [Read more...]

Once, I was under enormous stress. I needed first aid, so I took a flute and walked to a secluded beach near Ashdod's ancient citadel. I put the flute to my mouth and this is what came out. Seven minutes later, I forgot all about the… [Read more...]

Moses sacrificed career and comfort to fight tyranny. This week's Torah portion shows us the selflessness of a true leader who cares about every single human being. A poignant story about the great Rebbe Tzvi Elimelech of Dinov shows how our true leaders follow in the footsteps of… [Read more...]

Here's how to maximize your potential. From this moment on, stop comparing yourself to anyone else on earth. Get to know your unique talents and aptitudes. They are the tools that help you reach your personal peak, your mission and goal in… [Read more...]

There's nothing healthier for body and soul than a new beginning, making a fresh start. The spirit influences the body. So, when the spirit declares a fresh start, the body becomes rejuvenated. Here's how to get out of the mud of guilt complexes and past baggage that's holding you… [Read more...]

Rebbe Elimelech of Lizensk longed for the coming of the Messiah, a day when truth and justice will prevail the world over. He told a parable about a baker sifting flour, which he said would be indicative of Moshiach's imminent… [Read more...]