Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Lech Lecha / Why Do We Call Our Mothers?
Generally speaking, children call their mothers in order to say they got an outstanding grade on a test, that something good or important happened to them. In a recording that was aired by the State of Israel yesterday, an Arab terrorist calls his parents in Gaza — with excitement and celebration in his voice — […]
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Shoftim / No One Should Be Invisible
Have you ever thought about the hobby of the guy who cleans your street? Or his dreams? The city of Akko — as reported by journalist Yair Kraus – has put up new signs which make its sanitation workers into stars. And so we discover Sammy’s love for his grandchildren and for swimming, and learn […]
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Pinchas / The most optimistic words in the Torah
In the Torah portion of the week, we read words that, in my opinion, are the most optimistic in the Torah: “And the sons of Korach did not die.”Korach, if you recall, led a vigorous protest against Moshe Rabbeinu. In the end, Korach and his followers died when the earth swallowed them up, although it […]
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Balak / One picture: Five generations in the Land of Israel
“This seems like a typical picture of a happy family,” Hovav Yechieli wrote me, “but if you give it a second look you may notice something unusual. Aside from the baby and his parents, all the remaining individuals are grandfathers and grandmothers, great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers, great-great-grandfathers and great-great-grandmothers of the new baby. All were participants […]
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Balak / The Turtle With A Secret In Dubai
Last night, I took part in a meeting of female diplomats and journalists from The United States, Germany, Romania, and the UAE.At the close of the meeting, I stayed behind with the hostess, Israeli general consul in Dubai, Liron Zaslansky. And then her husband Ohad Horsandi came in and pointed to a paper turtle and […]
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Korach / Envy Less, Live Longer
Envy. It’s the root of the tragic controversy that we just read on Shabbat (in Israel). On the surface, it would seem that Korach had ideological reasons to oppose Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen. Yet, in truth, Korach was simply jealous of their leadership positions. Korach was blessed with enormous wealth, a family, and served […]
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Achrei Mot – Kedoshim / When Will We Understand?
Today, a day before Israel's Memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, I was giving a lecture at a Jewish school in New York. I showed a picture of a street rally in Tiberias where someone was holdng up a sign that read: “When will we understand that all of us here are […]
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Achrei Mot – Kedoshim / When Will We Understand?
Today, a day before Israel’s Memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, I was giving a lecture at a Jewish school in New York. I showed a picture of a street rally in Tiberias where someone was holdng up a sign that read: “When will we understand that all of us here are […]
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Vayak'hel-Pekudei / Yehi Ratzon (May It Be His Will)
It’s one of the most beautiful blessings, and it came from Moshe Rabbeinu The nation of Israel dedicated itself to building the Mishkan (sanctuary), the spiritual center that accompanied our people in the desert. Silver, gold, and jewels were donated and arduous effort was exerted until the work was complete. Rashi comments that Moshe Rabbeinu […]
Sivan Rahav-Meir / The Daily Portion, Vayak'hel-Pekudei / Yehi Ratzon (May It Be His Will)
It's one of the most beautiful blessings, and it came from Moshe Rabbeinu The nation of Israel dedicated itself to building the Mishkan (sanctuary), the spiritual center that accompanied our people in the desert. Silver, gold, and jewels were donated and arduous effort was exerted until the work was complete. Rashi comments that Moshe Rabbeinu […]