Dec. 4, 2008 Michael Freund: France vs. the Jewish right to reproduce Frida Ghitis: Heed the security lessons of deadly siege Dec. 3, 2008 Steven Emerson: Yes, the terrorists are winning Don Terry: Lifetime, no see Dec. 2, 2008 Melanie Phillips: The Mumbai atrocity is a wake-up call for a frighteningly unprepared world Stratfor Geopolitical Intelligence Report: Strategic Motivations for the Mumbai Attack Dec. 1, 2008 Max Freidlander, as told to Jacklyn C. Wadler: India Inkings Mark Steyn: Whodunit!? Nov. 28, 2008 Rabbi Ahron Rapps: An evil seed that didn't have to be Melanie Phillips: Carpe diem --- or can we all relax now? Nov. 26, 2008 Michael Feldberg: Meet the Orthodox Jew who laid groundwork for scientific development of ordnance that undergirds America's current world leadership Andrea Simantov: Shades of life Nov. 25, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : Getting Emotional For Influence The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman : Thanksiving feast! Nov. 24, 2008 Rabbi S. Binyomin Ginsberg: 'I just Became a grandchild!' Barry Rubin: Don't flatter your enemies, protect your friends Nov. 21, 2008 Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz: Money matters? Caroline B. Glick: Civilization walks the plank Nov. 20, 2008 Rabbi Avi Shafran: Bronfman's blindness The Kosher Gourmet By Linda Gassenheimer: Portobellos add a hearty flavor to pasta with pesto Nov, 19, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : Spread the wealth? Jewish tradition and income equality Elliot B. Gertel: 'Mad Men': Tackling prejudices or reinforcing them? Nov, 18, 2008 Dr. Debby Schwarz Hirschhorn: The End of the Age of Reason Jonathan Tobin: Does Barack + Bibi = Disaster? Nov, 17, 2008 Rabbi Yonason Goldson: The End of the Age of Reason Diana West: Gulling Americans into making terror legit? Nov, 14, 2008 Rabbi A. Henach Leibowitz: The Power of Spiritual Inertia Caroline B. Glick: The perils ahead Nov, 13, 2008 Stratfor Intelligence Briefing: How Bush and Obama together could change the Middle East dynamic The Kosher Gourmet by JeanMarie Brownson: Sweet and savory, crispy and meltingly tender bestilla Nov, 12, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir : Tyrannical Co-Workers Michael Doyle: High Court to consider today donated monuments that may have religious messages in public parks Nov, 11, 2008 Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Will Obama stop government officials considering institutionalizing financial jihad? Jonathan Tobin: They Will Decide Their Own Fate Nov, 10, 2008 Rabbi Avi Shafran: $8 billion, modern-day Tower of Babel being built? Barry Rubin: A letter to the president-elect from a Middle East realist Nov, 7, 2008 Rabbi Francis Nataf: Of Children and Immortality Caroline B. Glick: Livni's Obama strategy Nov, 6, 2008 Rabbi Yonason Goldson: How I tricked a classroom of apathetic students into grasping the fallacy of moral relativism The Kosher Gourmet By Gina Kim: Tips for making the perfect soup --- includes recipes Nov, 5, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist By Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Destitute Debtors Bruce Weinstein: 'Religulos': Bad title,even worse movie Nov, 4, 2008 Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Treasury Dept. submits to Shariah law Frida Ghitis: A surprise for Obama in the Middle East March 22, 2007 J-Rhythms with Avraham Rosenblum: JWR's cutting-edge music program showcasing performers -- singers, song writers, musicians, and bands -- who learn and live the Torah lifestyle (OUR NEWEST IGODCAST !) Oct. 29, 2003 Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)

Jewish World Review Lehman Brothers and the Day of Judgment By Rabbi Eli Gewirtz Judgment isn't about red men with pitchforks running amok. It's about Divine decisions which could drastically and unexpectedly change a positive or negative status quo. Communal and individual judgment for the coming year takes place on Rosh Hashanah http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | I'm often asked how a 21st century Jew is expected to relate to Rosh Hashanah as a Day of Judgment. Buying the apples and honey and arranging to attend High Holiday services is relatively easy. But the concept of a Day of Judgment, especially for the uninitiated, can be hard to grasp. Recent world events, the collapse of some of the biggest financial institutions, a mammoth hurricane that wreaked billions of dollars in damages, a mini-war in Georgia (which may turn out to be not-so-mini), and ominous threats of a multi-regional (did someone say world?) war, may shed some light on the theme of judgment. Are these recent events the result of Divine judgment? If so, judgment for what? I'll leave questions like those to people greater than myself to answer. But judgment isn't about red devils with pitchforks running amok. It's about Divine decisions which could drastically and unexpectedly change a positive or negative status quo. Our sages teach us that communal and individual judgment takes place on Rosh Hashanah and all that we will experience in the coming year is a reflection of that judgment. This is a theme that is repeated often in the Rosh Hashanah liturgy, but the Haftorah -- the selection from the Prophets -- that we read on the first day of Rosh Hashanah vividly illustrates this idea that everything is dependent on the will of the Divine. The Haftorah describes the painful story of the childless Chana; how her husband's other wife Penina tormented her over her inability to conceive, and how her prayers were finally answered on Rosh Hashanah when she was informed by the prophet Eli that she would be blessed with her first child. The commentaries offer numerous insights into the connection between Rosh Hashanah and Chana's story. On a most basic level it offers a message about hope and the awesome power of prayer. Though her situation seemed hopeless, Chana knew that the gates of genuine, heartfelt prayer are never closed, and that prayer can transform the seemingly unalterable. This is certainly a pertinent message for a day in which we are immersed in prayer. But I believe that there is an even deeper connection and one that should resonate for us during these unstable times. The Haftorah doesn't end with Chana's good tidings. After fulfilling her promise to dedicate her son to the Temple service, Chana offers a sobering message about life: The bow of the mighty is broken, while those who were stumbling are given strength. ... The prosperous are hired out for meager pay while the hungry cease to be hungry ... the Divine brings death and gives life. ... He raises the needy from the dust ... for not through strength does man prevail. (Samuel 2:4-2:9) Chana makes clear that everything is in the hands of the Almighty, and that, as the all-too-familiar disclaimer goes: past performance is no guarantee of future results. Chana's co-wife Penina learned this lesson the hard way. As Chana gave birth to five children, Penina tragically lost five of her own. The proximity of recent world-altering events to Rosh Hashanah reminds us to reflect on the feebleness of the status quo. Everything can change within a moment's notice. Just ask Penina or anyone working at the 158 year-old pillar of Wall Street that just went belly-up. The only constants in this world are the wide-open gates to heartfelt prayer. As we reflect on the precariousness of the world during the upcoming Days of Awe, we would do well to realize that all of life, health, prosperity, and even national security are undergoing judgment. As we learn from Chana, our prayers do make a significant difference. May we all be inscribed for life. Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in uplifting articles. Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. Comment by clicking here Rabbi Eli Gewirtz heads Partners in Torah, a cost-free over-the-phone learning program for Jewish adults who want to discover Judaism -- its culture, history, and traditions -- at their pace and their schedule. Please click here for more information. © 2008, Rabbi Eli Gewirtz