Avi labored long and hard in yeshiva. He was a slow student, but he treasured the time he spent learning, and he had found a yeshiva that was just the right speed for him. He loved being part of the high-school Beis Medrash, and despite the challenges learning posed for him, he sat there diligently for […]

Positive Word Power In days of old, soldiers went into battle wearing armor. The hard exterior protected the vulnerable flesh-and-blood being inside. Hoping not to be wounded, the soldier was willing to march miles in heat and rain, bearing what must have been a phenomenally uncomfortable outer garment.  Although it doesn’t clank and glisten in […]

Positive Word Power Hey Dovid! I hear you’re looking to switch yeshivos after Pesach! Where are you planning to go?”  Dovid bristled. The last thing in the world he wanted was for his long-thought-out decision to leave his old yeshivah to become the latest subject of the rumor mill. Inevitably, that would lead to even […]

Positive Word Power The Mendelson family had a quirky sense of humor. They loved to tease one another and were masterful mimics who could quickly capture other people’s mannerisms and speech patterns or simply launch into characters they had created themselves. These “routines” and family jokes wove their way into their conversations whenever the whole […]

Positive Word Power Gitty always puts her cup right at the edge of the table. If her mother notices, she will remind the child to move it back to a safer spot. If not, she will clean up yet another spill. Why doesn’t Gitty ever learn, her mother wonders. Gitty’s mother is exhausted from a […]