Torah portion Va’etchanan

How to Turn Sadness to Joy

How to Turn Sadness to Joy

How to Turn Sadness to Joy The saddest day of the Jewish year, the ninth day of the month of Av, was observed Thursday July 30, 2020. The ninth of Av commemorates the destruction of the ancient Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. This devastating event marked the beginning of the Jewish people’s ongoing exile and centuries of massacres‎ and countless deaths. Our sages teach that the ninth of Av is also the birthday of the Moshiach - the Jewish messiah (Jerusalem Talmud, Berachos 2:4). This teaching
Torah portion Va’etchanan ninth of Av
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz
The Sixties and My Path to Jewish Enlightenment

The Sixties and My Path to Jewish Enlightenment

Growing up in the Sixties, everyone seemed to be searching for answers. Peace and spiritual enlightenment were the rallying calls. It took me some time, but I finally found both. Although my family has roots that go back to one of the first students of the Baal Shem Tov, I was raised traditional but not Hassidic. In 1973, I encountered the first Chassidic Jew with whom I was able to have meaningful philosophical discussions.  I was impressed with his knowledge, sincerity, and passion for servin
Torah portion Va’etchanan enlightenment. Deuteronomy 4:35
Zalman Kravitz

Zalman Kravitz