This Blog consists of Rabbi Eliezer Zalmanov's weekly column, as well as articles that appeared in various publications.
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If you’ve ever taken on something meaningful, like training for a marathon, starting a business, or being a more present parent, you know that commitment often comes with the fear of what you will lose by giving so much of yourself. Judaism understands this fear. And one of the clearest examples comes from the story of Jacob. After years away from home, after family tensions, and after preparing to face his estranged brother Esau, the Torah tells us something surprising. It s

This week, homes across America will look very familiar: relatives crowded around a table, kids sneaking bites before the meal officially begins, a turkey that took longer than planned, and at least one heartfelt toast that dissolves into laughter. Thanksgiving is America’s national holiday of gratitude, a day the entire country pauses and collectively says, “Look at all we have.” Thanksgiving may be American, but gratitude is Jewish at its core. Long before gratitude became

We tend to think adulthood begins when society finally trusts us with something big: voting, driving, paying taxes, joining the military, and so on. Different cultures pick different milestones: 16, 18, 21. It’s all about when you're old enough to do things. Judaism flips the script. At thirteen, long before society considers someone fully mature, Jewish tradition says: You’re responsible. Not for taxes or mortgages, but for your values, for your decisions, for who you choose

There’s something about the afternoon that everyone can relate to. It’s when the coffee wears off, the to-do list is still long, and the day hasn’t gone quite as planned. It’s not morning optimism or evening peace, it’s that messy, middle stretch where life really happens. In Jewish tradition, that “middle of the day” has its own prayer: Mincha, the afternoon prayer. The Torah tells us that Isaac “went out to meditate in the field toward evening,” and our sages explain that t

Abraham, the first Jew, is sitting outside his tent recovering from his circumcision when G-d Himself appears to him. He experiences a private, divine revelation; an extraordinary moment in history. But suddenly, Abraham notices three strangers walking nearby, and without hesitation, he turns away from his encounter with G-d to go greet them, offer them food, water, and rest. The Talmud draws a surprising conclusion from this story: “Welcoming guests is greater than receiving