Posts by Rabbi Seth Oppenheimer

When I was a boy, my mother’s younger brother, my Uncle Howard, died. He was 50 at the time, which seemed quite old to me. However, as 50 approached, and I must admit that I will never see 50 again, I began...

There is the story of the self made man: The fellow who, with no help, built up a business and a life of power and wealth. Of course, he had some opportunities. Somebody taught him how to read. Somebody took...

I remember when my son Albert was about 7 or so, his pediatrician made the following statement, “Albert will be a wonderful adult….if he survives to adulthood.” The point the physician was making was that...

I have a great investment deal for all of you. I realize that we usually don’t discuss and, certainly, do not handle money on Shabbat, but I cannot contain myself. I have to tell you about this great...

I will start with a story that many of you may already know. The two great luminaries of the late first century BCE Jewish world were Hillel and Shammai. One day a non-Jew came to Shammai and said, “If you...

We have all heard the advice: if you want to be healthy, eat right and exercise. If you are like me and have struggled with your weight most of your life, this is very frustrating advice. Eat right? What does...