“You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” ~Pirkei Avot 2:21 I enter this weekend filled with mixed emotions. On... read more →
The word mitzvah means commandment. This is a reference to the commandments in the Torah. Many people think of the Ten Commandments when they hear the word commandment, but there... read more →
As we approach the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, we often talk about the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days and nights. This story is not part of... read more →
Light is an important and beautiful symbol in Judaism. When G-d created the world, He declared, “Let there be light!” (Genesis 1:3) In the generations since then, we have taken... read more →
In Hebrew, the word for life is chai. It is the root word of a common Jewish toast, L’Chaim, which means “To life!” Judaism puts very big emphasis on life... read more →
What exactly it is that makes Lerner Lerner? To paraphrase another long-time Lerner community member, Lerner is a school, a community, a place of learning and discovery. It is a... read more →
Everything has an appointed season, and there is a time for every matter under the heaven. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1 As I looked out my office window this morning, I noticed... read more →
Every year as Rosh Hashanah approaches, I try to take stock of where I am in my life. During this time of introspection, I look for the areas where I... read more →
The word “emunah” is often translated as faith, but that translation does not quite capture the essence of emunah. Chabbad.org describes emunah as an innate conviction, “a perception of truth... read more →
Homework has been a topic of debate for generations. How much is too much? How much is too little? How much is effective? Homework has also been the source of... read more →