The Ansche Chesed blog is a place where you can find enriching material to read about God, Torah and the Jewish People.
New York’s mayoral race has many Jews on pins and needles. The Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani – whose anti-Zionism is among his core personal commitments – is very likely to become mayor of the second most Jewish city in the world, after Tel Aviv. More Jews live in the Big Tapuach than in Jerusalem, Haifa,… Read more »
סוף סוף בשורות טובות GREAT NEWS AT LAST On this morning of homecoming, as we greet living hostages whom we, perhaps, never dared to dream would return, let us follow the Sages’ teaching [Berakhot 58b]: אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי: הָרוֹאֶה אֶת חֲבֵירוֹ לְאַחַר שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר חֹדֶשׁ, אוֹמֵר: בָּרוּךְ מְחַיֵּה הַמֵּתִים. Said R. Joshua b.… Read more »
“The past is never dead,” wrote William Faulkner. “It’s not even past.” As long as things we said and did long ago still shape our conduct and character – well, then, prior events are still very present. Thinking this way might leave you neurotic, imprisoned by things you cannot change. Maybe it would be better… Read more »
When Shabbat ends, Jews will begin the 9th of Av, our annual day of grief for the many destructions that befell our people. And surely our history warrants a day of fasting and dirges for all the suffering Jews have endured. But this year, let us add a healthy dose of grief over the suffering… Read more »
Today is the 17th of Tammuz, my favorite fast day. I like fasting. It’s not hard for me, and a little ascetic mortification, within reason, can sharpen you and make you reflect. So all things being equal I observe the “minor fasts.” Today, the 17th of Tammuz, is the hardest, because summer days don’t end… Read more »
