Yosef Y. Jacobson
ARTICLES BY: Yosef Y. Jacobson
Rubashkin and the “Hekhsher Tzedek” – Unethical in the Name of Ethics
The following moving episode from the "other side" of the Atlantic was related by Cantor Moshe Kraus from Ottawa, who observed it first-hand. As...
The Rebbe and Viktor Frankl – Part 2
The Rebbe, we know from various sources, was well versed in the important debate which carried critical ramifications on the future of psychoanalysis...
The Rebbe and Viktor Frankl – Part 1
This is a story about three remarkable lives which converged, in the most unlikely of circumstances, with extraordinary results. It is a story...
Is Israel Being Stubborn?
Not every Israeli soldier acts like a saint, nor is every Israeli policy an act of genius. But the demand of the Obama administration...
Metzora: Healing Your Words
The Torah section of this week, Tazria-Metzorah (Leviticus chapters 12-15), discusses the laws of tzaraas, usually translated as "leprosy." Tzaraas was a...
Tazria: Don’t Kill the Love – Cultivating Sensitivity toward the Birds
Why computers should be considered masculine: 1. They have a lot of data but are still clueless. 2. They are supposed to help you solve your problems,...
Shemini: Ignorance
A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance. -- Saul Bellow Light travels faster than sound. That's why most people seem bright until you hear them...
From Globalism to Parochialism – Some Things Need to Stay in the Home
An elderly man in Miami calls his son in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell...
Tzav: “A constant fire shall burn upon the altar”
"The fire on the altar shall remain aflame on it, it shall not be extinguished; and the Priest shall kindle wood upon it...
Vayikra: Challenging Your Animal
Mom's Perspective Two Jewish mothers met for coffee. "Well, Mildred," asked one. "How are your son and daughter doing?" "To tell you the truth," answered the second, "my...
Vayakhel-Pekudei: The Human Miracle
In the Beginning As a result of a near mutiny, the overbearing and arrogant Captain was forced to see a Psychiatrist by order of the Commodore. As...
Ki Tisa: Which You Broke
"Which You Broke" The simple reading of the story goes like this: After the Jews created a Golden Calf, Moses smashed the stone tablets created...
Tetzaveh: Dealing with the tension of the human personality
Linking the apron and the breastplate There is an intriguing mitzvah (commandment) recorded in this week's Torah portion: "And they shall bind the choshen...
The Blessings and Pitfalls of Liberal Education
Open-Mindedness Much has been written about the apparent absence in contemporary society of passion directed toward any ideal beyond our personal needs and...