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Is Independence a Torah Value?
In contrast to the rest of creation, which was made in multitudes, Hashem created man alone. The Gemara explains why. “Man was created alone so that he should say, ‘It was for me that the world was created.’” This underscores the vast importance that man possesses and the crucial role he plays as the choicest…
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Lilith: A Demon, Not to Be Defended nor Glorified
In college, I analyzed the history of vampires in a creative writing class. Interestingly, from each culture researched, the earliest dated origins of vampires came from the Old Testament. No, this is not a comprehensive report on the link between vampires and the various blood-libels against Jews throughout Milena (although, what an interesting topic that…
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Bereshit: Chava, Uncovering Women’s True Essence
Bereishit is all about beginnings, foundations, conception. The first day on earth, the first person, the first relationship – it all starts here. Certainly in this parsha too we can find the blueprint of who we are. Chava’s soul is the root of ours, her feminine energy is the source of ours and her nature…
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What Is the Nature of Simchat Torah’s Joy?
Joyous cries of ‘Ashreinu ma tov chelkeinu’ and ‘Vetaheir libeinu’ belted out, circles of old and young interlocking with each other, a proud man clutching a sefer Torah in the centre, swaying back and forth with delight. Simchat Torah is the peak of the High Holy Days; the climax of a period which began with…
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Understanding the Concept of Serving Hashem with Joy
Psalm 100, or “Mizmor l’Todah,” is a familiar Psalm due to its inclusion in Shacharit. It begins with: מִזְמ֥וֹר לְתוֹדָ֑ה הָרִ֥יעוּ לַ֝ה’ כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ A psalm for praise. Raise a shout for the LORD, all the earth; This psalm continues with it’s most well-known verse: עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־ה’ בְּשִׂמְחָ֑ה בֹּ֥אוּ לְ֝פָנָ֗יו בִּרְנָנָֽה׃ Serve the LORD in gladness;…
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Artificial Or Genuine Intelligence: A Torah Approach to AI
Artificial intelligence, commonly known as AI, has rapidly become one of the most influential technologies of the modern era. Not long ago, the idea of a machine that could write, translate, analyze information, create images, or hold a sophisticated conversation belonged to the realm of science fiction. Today, AI is woven into everyday life. At…
