Rabbi Eliyahu Safran

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There is a story in the Talmud (Ta’anit 23a) of an old man planting a carob tree as the sage Choni strolled by. “Old man,” said Choni, “what are you doing? Do you really expect to live long enough to enjoy the fruits of your labor?” The older man wiped the sweat off his brow […]

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To Set A Place

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Powerball Jackpot! One hundred million dollars! Two hundred million! A billion! Who among us hasn’t imagined what a wonderful thing it would be to become a billionaire overnight? With just a “dollar and a dream” our lives would be utterly transformed; they would become perfect. No more nine to five drudgeries. No more fretting about […]

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The Children We Have

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Believe me Rebbi, I only care about my child’s Yiddishkeit, and if he doesn’t go on the right path then I prefer that he should just die already. – spoken to Harav Aaron Leib Shteinman A father approached the Gadol HaDor known for his wisdom, insight, deep sensitivity and understanding. The father was fervent in his […]

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For as His Name Is, So Is He

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Years ago, in Pittsburgh, I initiated several programs for mentally challenged Jewish youngsters and adults, many living in various state institutions. The inspiration for these programs originated almost entirely from a saintly, fatherly Rabbi Leib Heber z’l who traveled hundreds of miles throughout Western Pennsylvania every Sunday to these various institutions, sometimes with only one […]

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“Fair” Does Not Mean “The Same”

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Mass production is the manufacture of large quantities of standardized products, frequently utilizing assembly line technology. Henry Ford became a very, very wealthy man by doing one thing well – not developing the Model T but devising a method by which that product could be produced each exactly like the one before it and the […]

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In the Midst of Plenty it is Possible to Starve

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Man is a child of his environment – Shinichi Suzuki Sometimes, you really can’t see the forest for the trees… Awash in riches, it is not only possible but probable that one loses sight of value. During Yosef’s lifetime, the Egyptians were so lost in their wealth and plenty that they were blind to the seven […]

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Modesty in the Age of Abuse

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Rescue me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esav (Bereishit 32:12). Mi’yad – from the hand. Why does Yaakov repeat mi’yad that second time? A literary reading might suggest that it is merely a poetic nicety, another example of Biblical parallelism. But as incredible a literary piece as it is, the […]

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The Power of the Womb, The Power of Prayer

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There is an almost universally shared “first photo” in modern baby albums – the somewhat blurry image captured on a pregnant woman’s first ultrasound. The observations, “He looks like you!” “She’s got your eyes!” are bandied about in good humor as parents, grandparents, friends and family begin the process of welcoming a new member to […]

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Trust: When it Counts

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We see the advertisements, selling the trustworthiness of financial advisors and institutions. These commercials resonate with us because we know how important it is to trust the one with influence or control over our money, our assets. Certainly the same was true in Avraham’s time. It was a lucky man indeed who had someone he […]

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A Friend in Need…

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A friend is a single soul dwelling in two bodies – Aristotle Picture the scene, a man, newly circumcised; just three days out from a painful procedure and still newly convalescing. He is not only extremely uncomfortable but he is no “spring chicken” – he is, in fact, elderly. So we have an old man, weakened […]

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