I. Who May Duchen? The Torah commands kohanim, male descendants of the priestly families, to bless other Jews while raising their hands and reciting a specific formula, i.e. to duchen, to do Nesi’as Kapayim. “Speak with Aharon and with his...
Does the prohibition against washing dirty clothes on Chol Ha-Mo’ed, the intermediate days of the holiday, still apply today when doing laundry is relatively quick and easy?1 In theory, washing laundry always should be allowed on Chol Ha-Mo’ed. Generally speaking, simple...
Erev Yom Kippur afternoon, the Chasam Sofer zt’l once asked his daughter to arrange a shidduch between two orphans. “I will do it immediately after Yom Kippur” she said. The Chasam Sofer asked her to take care of it immediately. “I want...
What foods should one eat at the seuda ha’mafsekes (last meal) on erev Yom Kippur? Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 608:4) writes that on erev Yom Kippur, one should eat light foods that are easily digestible,...
MISO GLAZED SALMON INGREDIENTS: 2 pounds salmon filets Salt and pepper 1/4 cup miso paste 2 Tablespoons soy sauce 1 Tablespoon brown sugar 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar 1 teaspoon sesame oil DIRECTIONS: I’m always looking for a dierent way to make salmon....
Many of us find Teshuba to be a difficult, grueling process. We often feel too intimidated to even begin thinking about Teshuba and changing who we are. And yet, ironically enough, the Torah indicates that Teshuba is actually...
Yizkor. To remember. On Yom Kippur we remember the loved ones who are no longer with us. Those who are fortunate to still have their parents, leave the shul prior to the recitation of Yizkor....
The Cantonist Abraham Lewin, the author of a book in Yiddish e n t i t l e d , K a n t o n i s t e n (Cantonists) relates a moving incident...
“No regrets” is a popular motto, a badge of honor, and for some, a way of life. It is even a popular tattoo, a slogan people literally engrave on their skin. Despite its appeal, it turns out...
The correct way to prepare for Yom Kippur is to do Teshuva, perform more Mitzvot, and get closer to Hashem. However, in a generation where one can buy and sell almost anything, one might wonder if it is possible...