Columbia Faith & Values

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The giving of gifts – and what we can learn from the 12 tribes of Israel

| May 17, 2013

True leaders demand more from themselves than from others in terms of time, efforts, and yes, even monetary contributions to the organization one leads. That's one of the lessons we learn from the Torah this week. 
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What is SASHA, and why should I care?

| May 14, 2013

So, what is MU SASHA? And what does a group of non-believers do when they meet up? In his first post for ColumbiaFAVS, Tony Lakey explains.
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The ethics of etiquette

| May 13, 2013

This Tuesday night, the Jewish people will begin to celebrate the one-day-long biblical festival of Shavuot ( Weeks), which is focused on the Sinai Revelation – the giving of the Torah seven weeks after the Exodus. But before the Torah was revealed, humanity had another set of guidelines for living: personal etiquette
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Daily defrauding – why misleading words matter

| May 3, 2013

Short of actual thievery or embezzlement, how can one defraud his fellowman in the mundane business of life? It can happen all too easily with misleading words. 
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What’s so “super” about the Super Mitzvah (or Golden Rule)?

| Apr 22, 2013

Although the commandment “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” is but one among 613 religious obligations in the Torah, it has been dubbed “The Golden Rule” or the “Super Mitzvah.” But why is it so important?
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Why does the pig have such a bad stigma?

| Apr 9, 2013

We hear people say, "He behaves like a pig," yet we never hear people say, "He behaves like a camel" – yet the Torah forbids the Hebrews from eating both. But why does the pig have such a bad stigma? (And what's that joke about the Catholic priest and the rabbi?)  
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Holding on to heritage: A Passover reflection

| Mar 23, 2013

Jewish tradition holds that the Hebrews merited their emancipation from Egypt because they remained true to their Hebrew heritage. And today, people like Daniel Pearl, the reporter who was slain in Pakistan 11 years ago, are reminders of how important heritage is. 
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Abraham, Moses and God’s anger

| Mar 3, 2013

Is Moses, or for that matter Abraham, submissive before God, or does he live up to the idea of Yisrael, the one who struggles with God?
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Copper pegs and acadia wood

| Feb 15, 2013

In this week's reading from the Torah, we learn that even our well-intentioned actions can cause harm to others, and we need to look out for their well-being first and foremost.   
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Lies, Lance and consequences

| Feb 8, 2013

Biblically, people are told to avoid falsehood – and with good reason. When you tell the truth, you never have to repent or regret it. You do not need even to remember what you said and to whom, as it will never hunt or haunt you down as lying would. Just look at Jacob. Or Lance Armstrong. 
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