A Compilation of Elul Thoughts

Way back in 2008 I wrote a series of posts called "Elul thoughts". Most of them, if now all of them, are still relevant. It is hard to believe that 12 years have passed since I wrote these posts:

Elul Thoughts #1

Elul Thoughts #2

Elul Thoughts #3

Elul Thoughts #4

Elul Thoughts #5

Elul Thoughts #6

Elul Thoughts #7

Making a Living in Israel (Ki Tetzei 2020)

The Torah's Real Estate Advice (Shoftim 2020)

Does Corruption Taint Israel’s Holiness? (Re’eh 2020)

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz passes away at age 83

Baruch Dayan HaEmet. I am so sorry to hear this. This man had a tremendous effect on our generation. May his memory be a blessing:

Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, an Israel Prize laureate best known for his translation of the Babylonian Talmud, has passed away, at the age of 83.

The funeral procession is scheduled to leave for the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem at 2:00 p.m.

Rabbi Steinsaltz had been hospitalized at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem, where he was being treated for a lung infection not related to the coronavirus.

Along with his translation of the Talmud into modern Hebrew, Rabbi Steinsaltz was also well-known for his writings and commentaries on the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud, and the Tanya.

Is the Diaspora Just For Practice? (Ekev 2020)

The Spiritual Effects of Diaspora (VaEtchanan 2020)

Israel Is the Jewish Achilles' Heel (Devarim 2020)

Isaiah: End TImes and Messiah in Judaism

Here is an interview with Yisrael "Jay" Rosenberg talking about his new book, Isaiah: End TImes and Messiah in Judaism:

The "Israel" Commandment (Masei 2020)

Will Women Bring Redemption? (Pinhas 2020)

You May Need (Israel) Glasses (Balak 2020)

Spirituality Needs Body Builders (Hukat 2020)

Interview With Machon Meir Alumnus Yosef Packer (Y Shofario)

Israel's Your Bride, Stay Faithful (Korach 2020)

For God's Sake Don't Go To Israel (Shlach 2020)

How To Survive the Riots (Beha'alotkha 2020)

IDF Draft Age...In The Torah?! (Neso 2020)

Jerusalem Day and COVID-19: Natural Miracles

The liberation of Jerusalem from the Jordanian occupiers during the Six Day War was a miracle. It was not a miracle in the sense that the laws of nature changed, rather it was an example how Divine Providence, working through the laws of nature brought about a miraculous result.

Today we are also witnessing a miracle. The deadly COVID-19 virus, which has up to this point brought about 10,843 deaths in my old stomping grounds (New Jersey), has so far caused only 279 deaths in Israel. Israel and New Jersey are comparable in population and land mass. Even so, a person was 39 times more likely to die of COVID-19 in New Jersey than in Israel!

It is well known that Israel did not expect such a great victory in the Six Day War.

"In the last days of May, Israelis were digging mass graves, knowing how quickly mass graves could fill."

Similarly with regard to the COVID-19 outbreak, the healthcare establishment here in Israel was expecting a march harsher result than what we have experienced.

Miracles do happen, you just have to open your eyes, and especially your heart to see them. Happy Jerusalem Day!

In Israel You Matter More (Bamidbar 2020)