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Messiah ben David “is the Light to the Nations”: Fulfilling Isaiah’s Ancient Prophecy
The phrase “light to the nations” (or lagoyim) from Isaiah 49:6 is one of the most profound and debated in the prophets. Many who honor the God of Israel, including those who identify the Messiah ben David as the promised descendant of King David, see this verse as central to messianic expectation. But does the
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Love for the Jewish People: Does It Pass the Conversion Test?
In many circles that cherish the Hebrew Scriptures, heartfelt declarations abound: “I love the Land promised to Abraham and his descendants.” “The Torah is Hashem’s eternal, life-giving instruction.” “The Temple represents the purest devotion to Hashem.” These words often arise from a sincere desire to connect more deeply with the God of Israel and the
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Baby Naming
I am a writer. My profession was created by the fireside of a prehistoric camp. After a successful hunt, the meat was divided among the heroes who had provided sustenance to the tribe. The choicest meat went to the hunter whose spear first struck the prey. The next piece of meat went to the tracker
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I Came to the Desert With a Pocket Full of Seeds
I came to the desert with a pocket full of seeds To live in the house of my father’s best dreams Promised to me before I was born Taken away because of my sins I came with a map painted on ancient hide To find the city of gold stripped of its wealth Its life-giving
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Malune: A Strange Fire
When I first came to Israel, I was shocked to find that many Gentiles were going to great lengths to convert to Judaism. I had spent much of my adult life trying to hide that aspect of my identity. I could not understand their motives. Dialoguing with these people revealed to me the lie of
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Naftali’s Story: Wedding Gift Deferred
We’re neighbors, Naftali and I, but we have little in common. He’s already married off two of his children, and my eldest isn’t quite in first grade. He’s a high-profile heavy-hitter, an aggressive businessman, and I’m a misanthropic hermit, happy to be left alone. But we do share two passions—a good cup of coffee and
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Farewell, My Brother
I woke up in the middle of the night and could not fall back asleep. While everyone knows I am a writer, I don’t think anyone knows why. I hear voices. They tell me stories, words that need to be recorded. And if the voices refuse to let me rest until I write those words
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Old Yaakov
I run my fingers across my chest and feel the bumps. Four small scars where your claws sank into my flesh, a reminder I don’t need of the night I will never forget. Our bodies pressed together in a violent embrace until I pulled you away, my fear lending me strength I did not own,
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From Settlement to Sanctuary: Israel’s Call to Illuminate the World
“This is none other than the House of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” In the rolling hills of Canaan, after decades of trials, exile from his homeland, deceit at the hands of Laban, the wrenching loss of Rachel, and reconciliation with Esau, Jacob yearned for peace. He had built his family, weathered
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Purim Match
Being the oldest student in the yeshiva didn’t make me bitter, but being old and single while young men came and went, married after just a few months, was like road rash after high-siding your bike and sliding half a mile on rough asphalt. Just when you got used to the pain, it got even
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Dancing Chicken
I need to preface this story with a disclaimer. It contains a few profanities and references to drug use. If this offends anyone, I apologize and request amnesty for this one story. It will never happen again. It was necessary to wallow in the mud once again to transmit a profound message. Like the Grateful
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Magic Car
He had to stoop to fit through the doorway, his head pressed against the ceiling. He stood for a few moments, blinded by the sudden darkness, searching the dark interior. He panicked for a moment, not understanding how she could have disappeared. It was a tiny playhouse with only one door, and he had watched
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Celebrate the Ger Tzedek: A Quiet Opportunity Many Have Yet to Seize
Some of the most moving moments we have witnessed in shul happen without fanfare. A man rises for his aliyah, kisses the mantel with unmistakable tenderness, and returns to his seat. Only later do you learn that he was not born into this world. He chose it, fought for it, rebuilt his life around it.
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Prayer for a Small God
Dear God, Please excuse me if I sound a little out of it, but I’m feeling kind of small today. I’m hungry and thirsty, and my feet hurt from standing. I have my good days, when I’m glowingly transcendent and strive towards the infinite, stretching myself to go further. Today isn’t one of those days,
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Reading Wrestling the Angel (audio-video)
For people who prefer to hear their fiction read to them. If you like this story and want me to continue writing, please encourage your friends to subscribe. If you would like to order my books, they are available on Amazon: Dolphins on the Moon The Hope Merchant The Master of Return and the Eleventh
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Audio books and YouTube videos: let me know what you think
Please let me know. It will require more effort, but I am willing if you are. Also, I am very open to advice and suggestions. Which platforms? What tech? Which stories?
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A Different Kind of Hero
Unlike most of my other stories, this is not based on real events. I wrote it when my in-laws were hosting my family at a hotel in Tiberias. The kids spent their days in the pool, and the hotel had an open bar, though I am mostly sure that had nothing to do with this
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Wrestling the Angel
I originally named my site “Wrestling the Angel” because some Jewish sources explain that Jacob, the patriarch of the Jews, wrestled the angel of Esau, described by the sages as the patriarch of Rome and Western culture. I have spent many years dialoguing with Christians. I have encountered many amazing Souls, but at the same
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The Written Torah Scroll You Follow…Was Always “Plan B”
Torah Scholar teaching Torah to his students. (image created with AI) Open your own Bible and read the timeline yourself. From the day Adam walked in Gan Eden until the day Moses died in the wilderness (2,658 years according to the ancient Jewish chronology Seder Olam Rabbah), not one complete Torah scroll existed on earth.
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