Judaica

Hanukkah or Chanukah is a Jewish holiday celebrated in December on the western calendar, but on the Jewish calendar it always starts on the 25th day of Kislev. The central focal point of the holiday is the menorah. The menorah holds 9 candles. Eight candles represent the eight days of Hanukkah and the ninth the Shamus is used to light the other candles. The meaning behind Hanukkah is to celebrate the miracle of the light burning in the Temple. There was only enough oil to last for one day and instead it burned for eight days. This miracle is the basis for the holiday the Festival Of Lights. Get Free: Hannukah Information Now Decorating for Hanukkah, is not quite the same as decorating for Xmas...

One of the positive by-products of this difficult economy is that many people are rediscovering basic family values. As the holidays approach, remember that homemade gifts truly are special, most notably when they come from your toddlers. Now that my kids are grown, I relish their tiny handprint works of art that they gave me when their fingers were so small. I still use the pencil holder my daughter made out of an old can when she was in the fourth grade. I even continue to put out holiday decorations that were my kids' original creations, and there is no price that can be put on their value. While abstract art is fabulous, be creative if you want to find something useful for the recipient of the...

Many people do not realize that Hanukkah is not actually all that important of a holiday in Jewish tradition. Unlike Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, Hanukkah celebrates what was thought to be a minor military victory in Jewish tradition. It is celebrated with the giving of pocket money or chocolates called Hanukkah gelt, lighting of candles, and eating certain foods. Nonetheless, because of the influence of the American Christmas holiday, Hanukkah has become a big holiday. Hanukkah decorations, Hanukkah gifts, and a festive holiday spirit have now become a part of the year for many Jewish families. Hanukkah Decoration- a lot simpler for Jewish holiday At some point, Hanukkah...

-- End Ad Box ---> It's that time of year and what better way to celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah than with some inspiring and uplifting Hanukkah quotes? Miracles are in short supply, and a jug of oil refilling itself for eight days is something to remember for eternity. Whether it's your favorite holiday of the year or you're not fully sure what it's all about, these 5 Hanukkah quotes are the perfect way to get into this wonderful Jewish holiday. 1. "They celebrated it for eight days with gladness like Sukkot and recalled how a little while before, during Sukkot, they had been wandering in the mountains and caverns like wild animals.So carrying lulavs ...they offered hymns of praise to God who had...

As far as I have seen, Jewish Jewelry is an amazing combination of ancient culture and present fashion. These jewelries come in many forms and designs. These jewelries are extremely unique and designed with an amazing purpose to spread its religious significance. There are various reasons for wearing these kinds of jewelries. Mostly Jewish people consider it as statement of faith and by wearing these jewelries; they acknowledge their religion and allow other people to know about their religion. Symbol and designs build on these jewelries played an exceptional role in building bond between several Jewish communities spread all over the world. Jewish Jewelry is gaining popularity among various people...

-link"> There are three traditional Hanukkah decorations for this Jewish holiday. These are the menorah, the dreidel and the gelt bag. The menorah is a sacred religious symbol while the dreidel and the gelt bag are children's toys to remind them of their Jewish heritage. But Hanukkah would be bare without these items. Menorahs are a sort of candelabra with eight candles to symbolize the sacred days of Hanukkah and one extra in the middle. On each night of Hanukkah one of the candles is lit. This is meant to remember an ancient war in Jerusalem when only enough lamp oil for one night was available to people hiding in a Temple under siege by the Greeks. It was deemed a miracle that the oil lasted the...

Always a joyous time of light and festivity, Hanukkah in modern times has been enhanced by the relatively new custom of gift-giving…thus began a article in the newsletter from my local Jewish Community Center, throwing me into a panic!! It reminded me that I had been designated the Hanukkah gift-buyer for my family this year, and that Hanukkah was practically upon us, while I hadn’t done a thing about it. Where was I going to quickly find presents for Hanukkah?  Like most other men I know, I normally dread shopping, and gift-shopping even more. OK, now fast-forward: A week later – it’s already Hanukkah, beautiful candlelight, smiling happy faces aglow with the joy of the presents I had...

SACRAMENTO, CA, DECEMBER 20- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger performed a symbolic menorah lighting at the State Capitol today as part of the 12th annual Chabad Chanukah celebration. The Governor joined with Rabbi Boruch S. Cunin, Director of West Coast Chabad-Lubavitch, and other Chabad representatives to share messages of holiday cheer with the people of California. After greeting the crowd with “Shalom,” Governor Schwarzenegger called the people of Chabad “heroes” who have had “an unbelievable impact on thousands and thousands of people.” Standing before the Capitol building in Sacramento, he thanked the charitable group for its “great contribution to the state.” Before the menorah...

Hanukkah or Chanukah is a Jewish holiday celebrated in December on the western calendar, but on the Jewish calendar it always starts on the 25th day of Kislev. The central focal point of the holiday is the menorah. The menorah holds 9 candles. Eight candles represent the eight days of Hanukkah and the ninth the Shamus is used to light the other candles. The meaning behind Hanukkah is to celebrate the miracle of the light burning in the Temple. There was only enough oil to last for one day and instead it burned for eight days. This miracle is the basis for the holiday the Festival Of Lights. Decorating for Hanukkah, is not quite the same as decorating for Xmas.Stores are not filled with aisles of...

Shema Yisrael Star of David Pendant !!!    Star of David "Shema Yisrael"  Gold & Silver Pendant by Zippi and Max, Jewish Jewelry The blend of precious metal transforms this pendant into a true work of art and captivates all who see it. The highest quality 14 Karat Gold and 925 Sterling Silver are utilized to form this unique Star of David. Within the gold segment the "Shema Yisrael" prayer is engraved, while the Silver Segment exhibits the Priestly Blessing of peace uttered by the Kohanim. Together, they unite to present a stunning gift from your heart to hers. 0.86 x 0.86 inch 18 in. .925 silver chain is included. Shema Yisrael prayer: The most significant of all Jewish prayers, the Shema is...

What Is Jewish Music? Jewish music can be studied from many diversified points of view. Among them historical, liturgical and non-liturgical music of the Hebrews dating from the pre-Biblical times (Pharaonic Egypt); religious music at the first and second Solomon's Temples; musical activities immediately following the Exodus; the seemingly impoverished religious musical activities during the early middle ages; the emergence of the concept of Jewish Music in the mid-19th century; its nation-oriented sense as coined by the landmark book Jewish Music in its Historical Development (1929) by A. Z. Idelsohn (1882-1938) and finally as the art and popular music of Israel. Early emergences of Jewish musical...

Our Tallit Shop your on-line resource to buy Prayer Shawls and to buy Tallits from the Holy Land. A tallit is a Jewish Prayer Shawl worn on the Sabbath, on Holidays, during life-cycle events, and for morning prayers. The tallit or prayer shawl has knotted fringes on each of the four corners know as tzitzit. A tallit (also known as a prayer shawl, especially by Christians) is a rectangle or square cloth with tzitzit (fringes) on each of the four corners and an atarah along the collar. It is worn in obedience to the biblical commandment to wear tzitzit found in Numbers 15:37-41. The passage reads: "The L-RD also spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make...

Shabbat is considered by many Jewish scholars to be the most important holiday of all, at it is the only holiday specifically mentioned in the Ten Commandments. The first time it is mentioned occurs in Exodus 16, immediately following the Lord delivering the people of Israel out of Egypt. The Lord says to the people of Israel, through Moses, that "tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the LORD. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow." Since this point, Shabbat has been considered a blessing gift from God. Of course, this mention of the Sabbath resonates with the one of the earliest passages in the Old Testament during...

Global to the core with an air of urban sophistication that is unique to this part of the world map, Melbourne is a thriving city that is defined by its ultra-modern population. A trendsetter in a nation that is anything but "down under" when it comes to its diversity and vibrancy, Melbourne is a bustling capital that is synonymous with the arts, music, cuisine, cinema, fashion and architecture. A touristic hot spot in its own right, Melbourne beckons the explorer in you on several different levels with its scenic natural attributes, shopping, culture, history, social life and indigenous heritage. Those with a flair for history will not be disappointed in this rich city whose illustrious collection...

Men often think in terms of fairness, but how does man's concept of fairness apply to Creator's evaluation of righteousness? What is fair? Apparently intent has a large part to play in this concept of fairness and righteousness. Like the story Jesus told about the three, five, seven, and twelve men that this man of a vast estate hired. Each group of men was hired at a different hour of the day, but each man was paid the same wage at the end of the work day. The three who worked all day complained because the twelve who only worked a short time received the same amount of pay, one penny. Yet, the employer responded that he had paid each man according to what they had agreed on. Every man intended to...

Eroded by the sea, burnt by the French, flattened by storms and nearly demolished in the swinging sixties, the intricate maze of alleyways, twittens and catcreeps of the Brighton Lanes today remain tall as the backbone of Brighton old and new. Once the heart of the old fishing town of Brighthelmstone, Brighton's historic quarter is one of the few surviving examples of a Tudor fishing town left in Britain. After the village was burned to the ground by French invaders in the 16th century it was rebuilt along the same streets. Today, a pebble's throw from the beach and the lavish Royal Pavilion, four hundred year-old fishermen's cottages, quaint old pubs, brick-paved twittens and flint stone exteriors...

Slovenia has recently been voted one off the top ten property investment destinations in the world and with forecast growth of up to 280% in the next ten years overseas property investors are buying in increasing numbers and Maribor property is becoming a popular choice. Let's look at Maribor property investment in more detail. Maribor Facts Maribor is Slovenia's second largest city and is located 270 meters above sea level by the Drava River at the transition from the Drava River Valley to the Maribor and Drava plains. Maribor is a small city and has a population of around 135,000. The city is surrounded by forests, open plains and vineyards. There are numerous small parks and open green areas...

This is such an important issue. Many people allow their problems to reek havoc in their lives. If we faced up to our problems and dealt with those difficulties which face and confront us, sometimes on a daily basis, life could be so much less cumbersome and we could get on with what really matters. Of course, that will involve further problems. Turn with me to Luke Chapter 7, in the New Testament section of the Bible. It is as if one stage of ministry is over and another begins. Jesus had been saying things to the crowds and to His disciples - teaching - and He had said everything He wanted to say on that occasion. Teaching is so important and teaching from the Word of God. It would be...

"Maharishi has explained that the value of all religious holidays, rituals, and prayers is to help us align our intelligence with the Cosmic Intelligence that governs everything in the universe with perfect order," says Dr. Evan Finkelstein, professor of Maharishi Vedic Science at Maharishi University of Management (M.U.M.). Dr. Finkelstein has been reading the scriptures of different religions for 37 years. As Maharishi wrote in Science of Being and Art of Living, "All the rituals of the various religions are like the body, and the practice of Transcendental Meditation is like the spirit. Both are necessary, they should go hand in hand." (p. 251). In addition, Maharishi, the founder of the TM...

How do I shoot a wedding video? Two words come to mind immediately, and those two words are "very carefully". If you think you can just go and plop down a video camera on a tripod in a church or anywhere for that matter, and shoot a wedding video, you are sadly mistaken. The first thing you have to do is know exactly what is going to happen during the wedding ceremony. By doing this, you eliminate the element of surprise, which can cause serious problems. In my 27 years of shooting wedding videos, the knowledge of what to expect during the wedding ceremony has saved my hide many times. You always need to be prepared when shooting a wedding video. For example, during a wedding, the bride takes a rose...

If you are the caregiver for a person recovering from aphasia, you should try to provide as many opportunities for social interaction as you can. Studies have shown and personal experience will reveal that social interaction is vitally important to aphasia recovery. One of the most common complaints among aphasia victims is the feeling of social isolation. The following ideas are suggestions on how to promote socializaation for the aphasic person: - Find an Aphasia Support Group. Contact your local speech therapist for information on where to find a group. If contacting a local speech therapist is not an option, go to the National Aphasia Association website for information on local chapters. The...

Best Cities to visit in Andalucia: Cordoba - the smallest of Andalucia's three great cities but perhaps the most enjoyable to explore. The old town is packed with tiny alleyways of whitewashed houses. The Jewish quarter is home to a delicately ornamented synagogue, one of only three remaining in Spain. Unmissable is the Mezquita, the greatest mosque in the Western world. The Alcazar de los Reyes Cristianos, once the residence of Fernando and Isabella, the city's Christian liberators, has Roman mosaics and beautifully kept geometrical gardens. Also, visit the Torre de la Calahorra and wonder at the views of the Roman bridge, water wheel and old town. Granada - the "modern" city is pleasant enough...

Before you open the doors to your computer consulting business, you need to get your ducks in a row. You'll need to pick a company name and get your business cards printed. Then you'll need to consider what types of customers you want to pursue and where you can meet them. In this article, you'll learn how and why you need to accomplish these steps. Get Your Business Cards Printed Get your business cards printed, even if you don't think they'll last you forever. If you decide to change your company name, phone number or address 6 months down the road, that's okay-you can get them reprinted. At least in the mean time, you can start getting momentum going by handing out a couple of business cards to...

Here are 15 marketing ideas that may help you think "outside the box." One may just create a spark and get your business moving forward. 1. Always carry business cards with you. You never know when an opportunity will arise to hand one out. 2. Publish a newsletter for customers and prospects - people trust an authority. 3. Hold a seminar at your office for clients and prospects. 4. Send hand written thank you notes. 5. Promote your business jointly with other professionals via cooperative direct mail. 6. Sponsor and promote a contest. 7. Get a booth at a trade show attended by your target market. 8. Follow up on your direct mailings, and e-mail messages with a friendly phone call. 9. Join your local...

As a part of your Charity or Non-Profit organization you are no doubt a solid member of your community. You know people. And if you do not know them they will know you. . . or at least the organization you're a part of. Rather than hitting these people over the head to buy a raffle ticket right off the bat start by leveraging these folks to help you sell more tickets online. Let's look at the normal pillars of any town or community. You've got your Fire Department, Police Department, Town Government, churches and synagogue's and other houses of worship, Boy and Girl Scouts, Boy's & Girl's Clubs, Library Branches, Hospitals and on and on. Sure you will approach these folks to buy tickets...

Coming up with a wedding ceremony on a budget is actually one of the easiest element of a wedding there is. With a little legwork and research on your part, you should be able to find almost anything you want. Many times a couple want a traditional type of wedding ceremony that includes officiating by some sort of recognized authority like the justice of the peace on the civil side, or a minister or other clerical figure on the religious side. One of the first steps you need to decide is whether or not the religious component is a necessity for you. There is a certain set of paperwork that must be completed no matter where the marriage occurs, usually there are no specifications as to whether the...

I think one of the most frequently asked questions about home parties is, "How can I find hostesses?" My suggestion is to host the first party yourself. Invite your friends, relatives and neighbors. When I've hosted parties, I can easily come up with fifty people to invite. Not all fifty are available to come but if even half come, I end up with twenty-five people at the party. Quite often, you'll find one or two people from your own party that are willing to host their own party for you. Once this system runs dry, there are other ways to find party hostesses that are strangers to you right now: 1. Approach women in businesses and offer to do a lunch time party for them. You'll bring the lunch if...

Well, I surely don't know. That is precisely why I started saying The Mourner's Kaddish, a Jewish prayer in honour of the dead, after my father died. It is frequently assumed that "saying Kaddish" is the bastion of men. Most prayer obligations in Judaism are. The idea is that each time the mourner says Kaddish, it elevates the deceased person's soul. Now obviously we have no way of knowing if that is in fact the case or not. Committed religious people insist that it is. But, really, how do they know for sure? No one has ever come back to confirm or deny that it is so. It essentially works like this. When your parent dies, the male child or children are supposed to say Kaddish three times a day for...

The island of Barbados is an exotic island in the Atlantic Ocean and located in the eastern part of Caribbean. It is an independent island nation. Used to be known as Ichirouganaim, the island is of British descent like other Caribbean countries. This flat coral island is an excellent travel destination with lots of activities, night life, attractions, history and famous restaurants. Barbados is divided into eleven administrative parishes. The capital and the largest city is Bridgetown. Among the other cities and towns there are Fustic, Oistins, Holetown and Speightstown. One of the most important things that makes Barbados such a wonderful place is its residants: The Bajans. The Barbadian people...

With teaching, the job never stops. However, you will come to a screeching halt if you burn yourself out. In this article, let's consider the difference between working with passion and working until you are fried. The term 'workaholic' is tossed around quite a bit - and some people wear it like a badge of honor, others use it as a derogatory comment, others try to hire people who are self-described by the term, and others have full coaching and consulting practices built around the concept. Since I'm a person who happens to love work (and always have) and find that work and achieving through work is not something to be derided, then I tend not to use the term workaholic. Burned out, however...

Also known as the "God's Own Country", Kerala is one of the most charming states in India situated on the southern tip of the country along side the azure Arabian Sea. The charm of travel and tours in Kerala lingers in your mind forever with breathtaking beaches, beautiful backwaters, lovely lakes, verdant hill stations, plush green landscapes, lush green paddy fields, historical monuments & sites, and copious nature beauty. There are many exotic tourist places in the state which can be visited, explore and enjoyed on you travel and tours in this exotic tourist destination of India. In this article I giving brief information about some of interesting tourist places of the state which you will...

In general, the best preparation for gaining entrance to music school or conservatory for violin is to hire a top-notch violin teacher, who can guide you through the entire process. Ideally, this teacher should have a history of helping other students gain access to conservatories, and should be prepared to assist with the details, as discussed below. First, take advantage of the opportunities available to you locally. Participate in youth symphony and school orchestra; take part in local competitions; play for events or in your church or synagogue; volunteer your music to a nursing home or retirement community; look for opportunities to play in groups with your peers. Use your summers wisely...

My father was sitting on the sofa in his condo when I suddenly saw a look of fright fill his face. His eyes opened wide, and his face contorted. He started screaming, raising his arms to cover his face, and kicking his legs out in front of him. "HELP! HELP! GET AWAY!" I sat there in shock, not knowing what was happening or what to do. Prior to this,we were having a conversation and all was okay, except he thought I was hismother, as if it were a day in his childhood. I yelled back, "What's happening?" He said monsters were coming through the walls. I never saw someone so frightened. His body was in a fetal position, and he wascrying as if he were a child living out his worst nightmare. I jumped up...

Most engaged couples have no idea how to orchestrate or lead a wedding rehearsal. If you are planning a wedding and are incorporating a rehearsal into your pre-wedding activities, here are five easy and quick steps to help insure a fun and painless wedding rehearsal. Your Painless and Fun Wedding Rehearsal: 1. Put Someone In Charge ~ If you don't put someone in charge of leading and orchestrating your wedding rehearsal, you may be setting yourself up for a frustrating and sloppy wedding rehearsal experience. If you are being married in a Church or Synagogue, there is often an 'on-site' planner to assist with leading your rehearsal. If you are being married outside of a religious tradition and have...

As you ponder what you want and desire for your wedding ceremony, you have a lot to think about. Do you want a wedding ceremony that is traditional, contemporary or on the edge? Do you envision a small and intimate gathering or a big and fancy formal affair? How do you want your wedding ceremony to feel? Here are 5 tips to help you create an authentic and beautiful wedding ceremony, whether your guest list is 2 or 200! 5 Tips For Planning and Creating an Authentic and Beautiful Wedding Ceremony 1) Get Really Clear About What You Want: This sounds actually easier than it is. A wedding ceremony brings up a lot of emotion and "stuff" for people. As you think about what you want and desire for your...

As you envision your wedding day, take the time to consider what you want and desire for your wedding ceremony. If you are being within a religious institution, your options for a "personalized wedding ceremony" may be somewhat limited. If you are being married outside of a church or religious tradition, you have many options in terms of creating a beautiful and personalized wedding ceremony for your day. Here are four easy and fun steps to help you create a fun and personalized wedding ceremony: 1) Venue For Your Ceremony: As you and your Sweetheart talk about what you want and don't want for your wedding ceremony, one of your first big decisions will be "where" will we hold this? Do you want to be...

Traveling and seeing the beauty of the world is the top choice of everyone who get some time off work and school. There are those who join travel packages like Asian tours, European expeditions and Mediterranean cruises to relax and unwind. Every new place they visit leave a great memory and experience. But there is one travel destination that will truly alter their lives in a miraculous way. Christian tours to Israel offer a life-changing experience that will surely ignite the Christian faith of everyone who participates in them. Not only do Christian tours to Israel enhance one's knowledge of the holy book, but also strengthen his or her spirituality. These tours offer private tour guides and are...

By embracing technology and using it to their benefit, religious organizations can remain a vital and important part of their parishioners' lives through email newsletters, notices, and reminders. Almost everyone has email now and people are often checking it wherever and whenever they can. With email marketing software, religious organizations can now have a voice that reaches far beyond the walls of a church, synagogue or mosque. This doesn't mean, however, that each religious organization needs to have an in-house IT department. With a complete database of membership information to draw from, the software can set up automatic emails to notify members of dues, events, fundraising activities...

A sixty five year old woman named Nancy smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 45 years. Then one day she began to cough up blood and suffer chest pains which were dull, aching and persistent. Her family doctor sent her for chest X-Rays and the radiologist detected a tumor in her right lung. The biopsy showed that it was cancer. Nancy was prepared for surgery. The surgeon came into the room, cut open Nancy's chest, looked at the golf ball sized tumor, and said, "Well, other than this tumor, she looks fine." The surgeon did not cut out the tumor, he just told his assistant to sew her up. Six weeks later Nancy died. Last Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, 138 leading Muslim scholars, political and religious...

Here are five interesting ideas for tourists in Madrid to take advantage of during their holiday in Spain. 1. Watch a bullfight at Vista Alegre or Las Ventas. Las Ventas is the more popular choice, simply because it is more centrally located and can seat up to 20,000 people at a time. Vista Alegre is used more as a sports or concert venue. The venues are almost never filled to capacity and getting tickets should not be a problem. 2. Taking a day trip when you are in Madrid, is a great way to learn what the outskirts of Madrid have to offer when it comes to picturesque towns, history and architecture. The two most popular destinations when it comes to day trips are Toledo and Segovia. Toledo was once...

Many couples will choose to have their wedding ceremony in a religious setting. Whatever your faith, there are certain things which may be different about a wedding in a house of worship, both for the bride and groom and their guests. This guide to etiquette for religious wedding ceremonies will ensure that everything goes smoothly on the special day. These days it is very common for people to have friends and even family members who are of a different religion (or possibly who follow no religion at all). It is also far more common than it used to be for the bride and groom to come from different faiths. All of this diversity can lead to some confusion on the part of the guests. It is up to the...

Volunteering has a meaningful, positive impact on your community. But did you know that it can have many benefits for you, too? Colleges want to see a complete picture of you, and real examples of your commitment, dedication, and interests. Volunteering provides colleges an opportunity to see you differently than other applicants. They see you as involved and concerned with regards to the needs of society. Whether you build houses for the homeless or mail flyers for a local politician, you can experience the real world through hands-on work. You can use this experience to explore your major or career interests. Some schools offer academic credit for volunteer work through service-learning. This is a...

Are you Jewish, single and waiting to meet your soulmate? If you are.....you are obviously, NOT alone! The simple truth is that men and women of all ages are desperate to meet their significant other.....yet are often at a loss at how to do it. And when you are Jewish...and single, the odds are increasingly against you. (yes, even though just about every relative you have wants to set you up with someone they KNOW will be perfect for you..:-) Here is the thing: The BEST way to start meeting single, similar and available partners is the Internet. Dating services are NOT odd anymore....or weird. There is NOTHING uncomfortable anymore about admitting you met your "match" through an online dating site...

1. Take in a show - a boat or car show, that is. - Ever been to a car show or a boat show? No? Go to one! Men just love those. Yes....the men! 2. Raise the bar. - Bars can be great places to meet people. Two things: choose an upscale place - no hotels! And don't get drunk! 3. Become a charity case. - Attending benefits and charity events are great places to meet men! So look online for any upcoming events that you can attend. 4. Do your civic duty. - You may get called on jury duty. It's mandatory, but hey, why not make the best of it? See if there are potential men in the group and start a conversation. 5. Get religion. - If you go to church, temple, or synagogue, show up at their social events. 6...

Every writer has had the experience of talking with friends or strangers who upon learning that he has written a book, respond, "You know, I have a book in me." If you have a book in you, then get it out. The writer is the one who writes, who lets his or her work do the talking. The maxim, "Don't talk about writing your book, just write it" applies to writers of all ages but especially to us older writers. We have less time left. Older writers have less time in terms of years left, but they have a precious advantage: life experience. I have tremendous admiration for younger writers like Jhumpa Lahiri and Nathan Englander and Jonathan Foer who seem to know so much about life in their 20s and 30s, but...

The Rebbe Nachman of Breslow often said, “Always remember-Joy is not merely incidental to your spiritual quest. It is vital.” As the years have gone by and I’ve been in the practice of psychology over 20 years, I have become more and more convinced that he was so right, that joy is not an option. When we take away joy and we take away a sense of well-being, a sense that we are thriving, we allow ourselves or seem to find ourselves in circumstances that seem to drain, tire and weaken us. We are no longer the whole human being that is our birthright! THE ENCHANTED SELF is a positive psychology approach to mental health that works both in the treatment room and out. I teach people the...

One day many years ago I asked a man how he got new business. He replied, "Angels hand out my business cards." Yes, that's really what he said. I thought he was prettystrange, too, so I didn't pursue the matter with him. But Idid notice that he seemed busy and prosperous. He was gettingbusiness, some how, some way. A year or so ago another man and I were talking. I askedhim the same question. He answered, "Mostly I get business bywishing for it." He, too, seemed busy and doing well. I'm not kidding here. But were they? I don't think so. If you've read my latest book, "Spiritual Marketing," you know I believe in magic and miracles. But youwould also know that I believe in being practical. If...

Pop singer Madonna came this week to Tel Aviv to take part in a congress of Kaballa studies. According to press releases, she is going to stay in Israel until Sunday night and will have on the last day of her visit, the opportunity to visit the graves of Jewish Tzaddikim (righteous holy people) near Safed, a small town in northern Israel. Why Safed? What does Kaballa mean? (Literally it means "Receiving" in Hebrew). I am not so sure the press has given the correct answers to these and other questions related to the background of this visit. Here is my humble contribution. Safed , one of the four "holy cities" in Israel, together with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tiberias, is actually a small mountain town...

The sunny state of Florida is considered as one of the most or hurricane-prone areas in the Continental United States. Given this, it is imperative for many homeowners and builders to consider major engineering improvements and upgrades in ensuring that a home's roof holds it own during severe storms. Hence, priority should be given to every component of the roof, as well as the rest of the house's structure, to enable it to withstand the extremely violent wind speeds that hurricanes bring. A House Needs A Good Roof A roof refers to the uppermost covering component, or structure of a home or building. The main purpose of the roof is to primarily protect both the building itself and its interior...