Ben Lazarus

Learning lessons from Jacob’s assessment of each of his children and guiding each child based on their unique strengths and challenges, not the version we imagine. At the opening of Parshat Vayechi, we read: וַיִּקְרָ֥א יַעֲקֹ֖ב אֶל־בָּנָ֑יו וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הֵ... See more

What happens when reality tells you something you cannot bear to accept? The Torah gives us two striking examples — Jacob and Korach — both refusing to accept reality, but for very different reasons and with very different outcomes. If you read the Torah ... See more

‘Sheol’ to Life: Refusing Comfort, Defying Despair What happens when reality tells you something you cannot bear to accept? The Torah gives us two striking examples — Jacob and Korach — both refusing to accept reality, but for very different reasons and w... See more

A Call to Action – and the Story Behind “My Faith Through 10 Moments”: Faith, Resilience, and (Let’s Be Honest) Plain Stubbornness I have been blogging for years, but a published book never seriously got further than many pages of false starts. But two we... See more

Every Friday night, many Jewish parents place their hands on their children’s heads for one of the most tender moments of the week. For daughters, the blessing is based on a high degree of logic: we invoke the Matriarchs – Sarah, Rivka, Rachel and Leah – ... See more