Space to think The month of Niesan 5779 is the month in which we celebrate Passover and remove chamets from our homes in advance. Chamets, sourdough, is spiritually the symbol of our puffiness and sins: all things that keep us from a healthy, reconciled relationship with the Eternal. Passover teaches us that there is no...
When Israel was at the border of Canaan, Joshua sent two spies to Jericho to explore the country. These two men went inside the tavern that is owned by a prostitute named Rahab. She received men from various nations and therefore hears news from many different countries. Rachav also heard how the Israëlites went out...
The Dutch theologian Abraham Kuyper describes Esther as a girl and according to his interpretation she should not have taken part in the beauty contest which meant that she could become the Queen of the Persian Empire. He believes that Esther because of this, has violated the seventh commandment: Thou shall not commit adultery. He...
Born Saartje Wijnberg in 1922, Selma (she changed her name in 1957 when she moved to the United States) grew up with her three brothers in the Dutch town of Zwolle, where her parents Samuel and Alida had built up and owned a successful kosher hotel. Selma later recalled her childhood as idyllic: her family...
How can we learn to take shelter in the Lord and what is the connection with perseverance? The letter to Hebrews 10:36 states that we need perseverance: “For you need perseverance, to do the will of G’d, to obtain that which is promised.” The Eternal wants us to do His will and thereby we must...