Prince Charming doesn’t always find Cinderella, and stories do not always have ‘happy’ endings, as most of us learn the hard way. I remember once, after a harried chase, catching a masked Arab who had been heaving rocks and cinderblocks at an IDF position in Hebron. more

Rav Saadiah Gaon was one of the greatest of the Babylonian gaonim. His approach to Torah study was direct and to the point: Analyze the verse on its own terms based upon the actual language presented therein. In other words, instead of approaching the verse with pre-conceived ideas that will most likely determine its interpretative outcome, examine it in its most pristine form. more

Towards the end of the conversation Yaakov has with Eisav about their future, Yaakov’s final insistence that he cannot accompany Eisav to Seir puts the blame where most of us might put it. more

Dear Aviva, After a few years of numerous unsuccessful shidduch dates, I believe that my bashert has finally arrived. We’ve been together for two months so far. When we date, our conversations are deep, we share plenty of laughs, a common background and outlook on life. But when we’re on the phone, I’m still unsure how to talk to her, and how to avoid making a date feel like an interview, when to introduce her to my folks, and when to pop the question. I love her, but I have never gone this far before. How should I proceed from here? -Cautious Companion more

When he first began talking about his 9-9-9 plan, immediately the thought of kishke and hot dogs came to mind. Here was a man who built his career on, and amassed his wealth in the food industry. more

It was not until the passing of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of blessed memory, that the importance of Rashi’s commentary in Chabad theology became apparent to the outside world. more

Last Wednesday, prominent philanthropist and AJCongress chair Jack Rosen feted President Barack Obama at his home, where Obama spoke on Israel. “I try not to pat myself too much on the back, but this administration has done more for the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration,” Obama said. “We don’t compromise when it comes to Israel’s security ... and that will continue.” To which Rosen added, “America has never been as supportive of the state of Israel as President Obama and his administration.” Is Rosen serious? more

At age 50, I am happily reinventing myself. When my first child was born I left computer programming to be a full time mom. For the last 24 years I filled my life raising three kids, managing our home and with fulfilling volunteer work and writing. I have no regrets but was worrying a lot about what to do next, about finding work. About 15 years ago I began to take yoga. more

Letters to the Editor more

Among the sought-after kiruv speakers, Rabbi Amnon Yitzhak held a public ceremony in Jerusalem this week, where his followers tossed their television sets into dumpsters. It is clear that Rabbi Yitzhak’s act was unrelated to any specific program, but one recent set of televised ads by the Israeli Ministry of Immigration and Absorption, is stirring strong opposition across a wide spectrum of American Jewry. more