“What is our life? A game!” The Queen of Spades (opera) Is life subject to chance? It’s like throwing a die where either a six or … a one comes up. I thought so, too. But now I know. We do have a chance to control fate. Not to depend on the dice falling luckily or not. Shavuot. — What Is Shavuot? This is a phenomenon that occurs when Nature, of which we are a part, helps us perform the…..
Read more“Maybe I am the only person in the world whom the cancer virus saved and gave the life force.” L. Zilber Lev Aleksandrovich Zilber. Immunologist, oncologist, molecular biologist, epidemiologist. Who survived two wars and three arrests. Who defeated the epidemics of plague, smallpox, and encephalitis. Who created the virogenetic theory of carcinogenesis, based on which a vaccine against cervical cancer, the second most common type of oncology, was developed. Who was subjected to tremendous suffering for his refusal to participate…..
Read morebased on Baal HaSulam’s article “The Peace” (1933) “Where you stand, there stand all the worlds.” The Zohar I am attending this exhibition because its name—“The Universe and the Man: Rules of Interaction”—caught my attention. Universe—the word itself sounds like thunderclaps: mightily, mysteriously, fascinatingly. What if I come to understand how our life works? Not from the point of view of a fish swimming in a glass jar but beyond it … The large, spacious hall was hidden in pleasant…..
Read moreI have always understood whatever I did that the burden of responsibility born by my people also rested on my shoulders. This thought was my lifelong guide star. – W. Haffkine World-renowned epidemiologist and immunologist. Creator of the first-ever vaccines against cholera and the plague. During epidemics, thanks to “Havkin’s lymph”, more than 33 million people remained alive. Received an award from the hands of the Queen of the United Kingdom. In India, he is revered as a mahatma, a…..
Read more“I don’t act, I react”. Everyone has a special place in the heart. A sparklet. A guide star. Marcello learned to feel it. And to follow it. With this inner instrument, he could gauge: “Here…, like that…, that’s it… Harmony.” He was brilliant at finding the overall balance. And at identifying his unique action for that. Three Oscar nominations. The best European actor. The favorite actor of prominent film directors (first of all, Federico Fellini and Vittorio de Sica). The…..
Read moreThe delightful aroma of chocolate…. Just as it should be in a Paris apartment. “Salut!” Serge exclaimed opening the door for me with a theatrical gesture. “Make yourself comfortable. I’m going to treat you in the French style! It’ll take me a few more minutes in the kitchen. Here’s the company for you.” He hit a button on the console and disappeared behind the door. A voice, so familiar, from the past, spoke of something simple, but very precious. Right!…..
Read more“Some more cognac?” a pretty flight attendant in bright red by Aeroflot stood nearby; he nodded silently. Infinite freedom was what Anton saw through the porthole. Realized how tense he was. Reclined his seat. Took off the sneakers. Took a sip from the glass. “Be always at your best,” the thought came to his mind. Thought of his mom for some reason. So, the meeting is tomorrow morning. I have to focus, look through the materials provided. My expert opinion…..
Read moreThe theater has a full house — the performance by the unique director! While the audience is taking their seats, I look around: the chairs are arranged in amphitheater rows. A huge screen. In the center — a very small stage. “As if the spectator matters most here,” I thought. The lights went out. There was a voice from the upper right corner. All have turned around, but the speaker was invisible. Just the voice, a very strange one —…..
Read more“There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples.” Haman said that in his view, we will succeed in destroying the Jews because they are separated from one another; hence, our force against them will certainly prevail, as it causes separation between man and God. And the Creator will not help them anyway, since they are separated from Him. This is why Mordecai went to correct that flaw, as it is explained in the verse, “the Jews…..
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