A Premier Lesson
A Premier Lesson I was once receiving the public in our Manhattan office. Suddenly, loud noise emanated from one of our offices. People were screaming and pushing, and policemen were on the scene as well. I was filled with a feeling of dread. As I was trying to make out what was happening, my secretary […]
Dancing with His Decrees
Dancing with His Decrees One year, I spent Sukkot in Eretz Yisrael. In spite of the delicate security conditions, I must say that these were the most beautiful days of my life. When we visited the City of David, we felt the past in a tangible way. We saw where Avraham had offered his sacrifice, […]
Our Pet Pastime
Our Pet Pastime On a trip to Toronto, as I walked outside one morning on my way to the Beit Hakeneset, I noticed many people walking their dogs in the city streets. This taught me about the fundamental difference between the Jew and the gentile. A Torah-observing Jew is escorted throughout the day by […]
A Writ of Holiness
A Writ of Holiness The French president, Jacques Chirac, was once invited to visit the home of the Chief Rabbi of France, the Gaon, Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sitruk, shlita, to participate in the brit of a grandson. He wished to express his appreciation for the Jewish vote in recent elections, and surprised the people by […]
A Rich History
A Rich History One Sukkot holiday, as I made my way toward the yeshiva in France with my four species in hand, I met my gentile neighbor. He stopped me to ask, “I met many people today walking like you, holding various plants. What are these plants? What do they symbolize?” “They are the four […]
Buying My Message
Buying My Message A wealthy gentile asked me to convert him to Judaism so that he could marry a Jewess. He was prepared to pay a fortune in return, an amount that could generously support our institutions. “Do you honestly think that you can buy your way into Judaism?” I asked. “Are you under the […]
The Pursuit of Wholesome Pleasures
The Pursuit of Wholesome Pleasures I had the dubious honor of sitting next to an Argentinean priest on a flight from Argentina to New York. I generally sit together with my escort, but this time, we were unable to find two seats next to each other. None of the passengers agreed to switch seats with […]
Faith – Icon of our Nation
Faith – Icon of our Nation In the year 2000, I spent time with my daughter at the hospital, as she had to undergo surgery. Various pictures framed the walls. One work clearly depicted a cross, the iconic symbol of idolatry. At first, I cringed at the sight. But then I had a deeper understanding […]
A Nation Eternal
A Nation Eternal I once took a plane to Israel via Greece, as all direct flights were full. Since it was Minchah time when we landed in Greece. I stood in a corner of the terminal and prayed there. As I took three steps back to end my prayer, I suddenly became aware of a […]
Staying up to Celebrate Suitably
Staying up to Celebrate Suitably One year, as the French gentiles were celebrating Xmas, loud firecrackers and raucous music were heard throughout the night. The noise continued until the sun made its appearance. This is the way the gentiles celebrate. The noise kept me awake. I made out thousands of revelers making merry in the […]
A Picture of the Truth
A Picture of the Truth I once spent the night at the hospital bedside of a man in Argentina. When I stood up from the hard plastic chair where I had spent the night, I turned to open the door of the room to air out the place and stretch my legs a bit. The […]
To Learn It Is to Love It
To Learn It Is to Love It A very prestigious gentile lawyer once told me that he was fascinated by the Jewish Bible. He had even begun studying the Talmud, as well as the Zohar and other holy works. He had acquired a number of sifrei kodesh dealing with Judaism which were translated into French. […]
