Abaya said that “a child’s words in the street are invariably [repeated from what he or she has heard] from his father or mother.” (Sukkah 56b). Children will do as…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Thank you for your column! I read it with my family every week and we enjoy discussing it! I am in a relationship with a wonderful…

Chanukah lights are kindled in most shuls. This has also expanded to public Chanukah lightings in many cities throughout the world. There is also a large Chanukah lighting in the…

I. Obligations to Give Giving charity, sup- porting those in need, is a great mitzvah. It is important not only in order to help those who need financial assistance but…

Parashat Vayeshev tells the tragic story of mechirat Yosef – the brothers’ selling Yosef as a slave. They at first plotted to kill him, but eventually they decided to lift…

G-d Measures Out Punishment — Exactly The Torah tells us that when Yosef’s brothers were about to sell him, they lifted their eyes and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites carrying…

In our Parsha this week the Torah relates, “Vayavey Yosef es dibasom ra-ah el avihem-Yosef brought villainous tidings (about his brothers) to their Father (Yaakov)”. This act of loshon hora-…

CAULIFLOWER CHEDDAR LATKES INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. Cauliflower, chopped and steamed 1 russet potato, peeled and grated 1 small onion, diced 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs 2 eggs 1/2 tsp. black pepper…

The sar ha’ofim, Pharaoh’s chief baker, told Yosef (40:15-16) that in his dream, he was carrying baskets of bread on his head, and birds were eating from the basket. Yosef…

Can a person who is invited on Chanukah to a wedding eat at the wedding before they light candles in their house? The right thing to do is light candles…

We read in Parashat Vayeshev of the hatred that Yosef’s brothers felt toward him. The background to their hatred is the special love shown to Yosef by their father, Yaakob,…

On recent trips to Eretz Yisroel, I noticed a change in the simple greeting of boker tov, good morning. Instead of receiving a boker tov in return, I would hear…

Dreams Once Bereishit hits its second half, everyone starts dreaming. Yaakov has two dreams. Yosef has two dreams. Paraoh’s butler and baker are dreaming. And Pharaoh himself is dreaming. “I…

A couple of months ago, when the conflict between Israel and Lebanon erupted, we published an article titled ‘Is Lebanon Part of Israel’s Promised Territory?’ We discusses how Hashem promised…

On Chanukah, we insert Al Hanissim into our davening and bentching. It is very practical for us to discuss all the halachos that apply to this. Some questions we will…

Does the OU allow music to be played at restaurants they certify? Many restaurants want to have an ambiance and they want to have live music playing. What’s the OU’s…

When a country sends its army to war, they don’t just teach the soldiers how to shoot and then tell them, “Go to the front!” The great minds of the…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi! I’m a big fan of your column and enjoy reading it on a weekly basis. I’m having a problem dating. My next-door neighbor, Moshe and…

Time to go home. After twenty long years in the house of Lavan, Yaakov was finally able to return home. While Lavan made the years challenging and difficult, at the…

This week’s parsha contains the pasuk: “And Yaakov remained alone and a man wrestled with him until dawn” [Bereishis 32:25]. The Medrash sees a connection between Yaakov remaining alone and…

We read in Parashat Vayishlah that as Yaakov Avinu made his way back to Eretz Yisrael, a mysterious man attacked him, and wrestled with him throughout the night. Yaakov ultimately…

FRIED COOKIE DOUGH BALLS INGREDIENTS: For the Cookie Dough • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature •…

Yaakob Abinu was making his way back to Eretz Yisrael with his family when he learned that his brother, Esav, was coming to meet him with an army of four…

Brother’s Keeper One day the zookeeper noticed that the orangutan was reading two books, the Bible and Darwin’s Origin of Species. Surprised, he asked the ape, “Why are you reading…

Last week, my doorbell rang but when I answered it, there was nobody there. Instead, I found a vase of flowers outside the front door with a note. Flowers on…

This week’s parsha relates the encounter of Yakov with his dangerous and murderous brother Eisav, and Yakov’s admitting that he was fearful of Eisav. These events connect directly to our…

Parashat Vayetzeh begins with Yaakov Avinu fleeing from his home, as his brother, Esav, was trying to kill him. The Torah tells us: Vayifgah Bamakom Vayalen Sham Ki Va Hashemesh…

This week’s parsha opens with Yaakov escap- ing the wrath of his brother Eisav. “Vayeitzei Yaakov m’Beer Sheva, And Yaakov left Beer Sheva, vayeilech Charana, and he went to Charan….

In Yaakov’s famous dream of a ladder at the beginning of Parshas Vayeitzei, Hashem appears to him and tells him – among other things – “Your offspring shall be as…

Students of the Torah are well aware that there is nothing superfluous in the language of the Torah. Every phrase comes to teach us a myriad of lessons. Therefore, when…

going through a hard time, he should be happy with the yesurim and believe it is all for the good. However, when one hears about other people’s problems, it is…

Can one bake an open pan of chicken/ meat in a hot oven immediately after fish was baked in an open pan? What about the opposite, fish after meat, if…

We read in Parashat Vayeseh that when Yaakob arrived in Haran, at the home of his uncle, Laban, he reached an agreement with Laban. According to the agreement, Yaakob would…

My family loves soup! It’s a great way to start off any meal and sneak some extra veggies into the kids. One of their favorites is butternut squash soup. I…

The Yeshiva decided to field a rowing team. Unfortunately, they lost race after race. They practiced for hours every day but never managed to come in any better than dead…

Prior to 1974, the standard practice for dealing with someone who was choking was to whack the afflicted person on the back. Dr. Henry Heimlich argued hitting them that way…

One of the most well-known examples of de- ception in the Torah is Lavan’s betrayal of Yaakov during his marriage arrangements. After Yaakov worked for seven years to marry Rachel,…

I don’t know what to do! I’m dating a guy who I totally adore his personality but cannot deal with his disorderliness. I come from a family where everything thing…

It is unfortunate that cell phones have made their way into our shuls. Yet cell phone usage is not only an issue during davening. Throughout the day, we can’t go…

I. Fathers-in-Law There is a deep lesson in the fact that there is no English equivalent of the word “mechutanim.” Mechutanim are the parents of your son- or daughter-in-law (mechutan…

Ever come home totally famished and grab some junk food – knowing full well, you will be sorry later? What about passing a bakery, getting a whiff of something yummy,…

Can one bake an open pan of chicken/ meat in a hot oven immediately after fish was baked in an open pan? What about the opposite, fish after meat, if…

In Parashat Toldot, Yaakov takes the blessings from his father Yitzchak through deception. This event happens when Yitzchak, who is blind and aging, intends to bless his eldest son Esav…

What comes to your mind first when I mention Yitzchak Avinu, Yitzchak, our Patriarch? You’ll probably say, rightfully so, the Akeidas Yitzchak, when Yitzchak allowed himself to be offered by…

I. Thank You Hashem We recognize and thank G-d for the blessings we receive in this world, sometimes in formal ways with a blessing and other times informally. In a…

In Order to Live We need to eat and drink in order to live. After eating and drinking, waste must be expelled. We must have the proper approach to the…

INGREDIENTS: 2lbs of beef chuck cut into cubes 1/4 cup of flour 1 teaspoon each of ground coriander, cumin and sweet paprika 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper Salt and pepper to…

Enthralled by Wells It seems that our Avos, the Founding Fathers of Judaism, were enthralled with wellsprings. First, the Torah tells us of Avraham’s involvement in well-digging and his rebuke…

The Torah in Parashat Toldot tells the story of the blessings which Yishak Abinu wished to bestow upon his older son, Esav, but which were taken by the younger son,…

After a vicious campaign season with billions of dollars spent vilifying one another, name-calling, and competing who could label the other the bigger threat to democracy, the election has finally…

In this week’s parsha, Hashem promises Yitzchak, “I will increase your offspring like the stars of the heavens and will give to your offspring all these lands; and all the…

The Torah in Parashat Toldot tells what we should probably see as the first instance of antisemitism. Yitzhak Avinu was forced by a drought to settle among the Pelishtim, and…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi! I really enjoy reading your column each week and I’m hoping you can help me. I’ve been dating a guy for about a month and…

Reb Nota Zenwirth zt’l once came to the beis medresh with a broom and announced that he was waving a lulav. They looked at him queerly. Why was he calling…

The Siduro shel Shabbos (vol.1 1:4) tells about the many miracles that Eliezer saw Rivkah perform. One miracle was that when she came to draw water from the well, the…

Q: Is Turkey Kosher? – I have heard that there are some Jews who do not consider turkey kosher. Can you tell me the reason for this? As far as…

Parashat Hayeh-Sara tells the famous story of Eliezer, Abraham Abinu’s servant, whom Abraham sent to Aram Naharayim to find a girl for Yitzhak. Eliezer’s mission was successful, as he brought…

Boxer Mike Tyson, “Iron” Mike, attempted a comeback. At 58, he went back into the ring to fight a decades-younger Jack Paul. In a pre-fight conversation, Tyson was asked by…

Churchill Sleeping They tell this story about Winston Churchill. As Savior of the free world he felt himself entitled to grab a little shuteye (“schlof”, or nap) in the House…

CRANBERRY CAKE INGREDIENTS: 3 large eggs 2 cups granulated sugar 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) margarine softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1…

Several years ago, our community was privi- leged to host Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, zt”l. Before he addressed the over 1,000 people in at- tendance at BRS, I spon- taneously…

The law in Sedom strictly prohibited immigrants from entering the country. This was the most severe law, rigorously enforced with harsh punishments for those who violated it. Not only were…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, My parents don’t understand me. I understand many teenagers or young adults say that, but in my case it is true and is having serious repercussions…

Much has been dis- cussed over the years regarding Thanksgiv- ing dinner. We will discuss whether such a party is allowed, and if turkey may be served. The underlying point…

We stand up for a Torah scroll when it is removed from the ark or moved from place to place. Doing so is a sign of respect for the divine…

Parashat Hayeh-Sara tells the famous story of Eliezer, Avraham Avinu’s servant, who traveled to Aram Nahariyim to find a suitable match for Avraham’s son, Yitzhak. At the well outside the…

A famous Medrash Rabbah on this week’s parsha (58:5) cites the pasuk “And Avraham came to mourn for Sarah and to cry for her” [Bereishis 23:3]. The Medrash asks “From…

One of the more enigmatic personalities in the Torah is Lot, Avraham’s nephew and Sarah’s brother. On the one hand we know that all the while that Lot was together…

It was June 1974. Israel was still reeling from the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War. The long-term rehab centers were filled with injured soldiers. My mother a”h received a…

Hospitality The opening of this week’s parsha, Vayera, relates the tale of Avraham sitting during a hot day at the entrance of his tent and observing three men standing nearby….

When is the last time you asked someone how are they are doing and they didn’t answer, “Busy?” In his article “The ‘Busy’ Trap,” Tim Kreide writes: If you live…

“Will President Trump be good for the Jewish people? Will he be good for Israel? Is President Trump better for us than Harris? Will he stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions?” These…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, I don’t know what to do! I’m 21, have returned from seminary and have completed 2 years of college.. My parents, friends and family are all…

The tefillah of Aleinu is said daily after each tefilla, as well as during the Yomim Noraim. During the week one can see many people leave shul before reciting this…

INGREDIENTS: 1 lb small diced fresh tuna Marinade 1 clove grated garlic Juice of one lime 1 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce 1 tablespoon sesame oil Scallions…

I. Self-Interest and Capitalism The theoretical basis for the economic system of Capitalism is self-interest, another term for greed. Those who devalue greed, who view the accumulation of wealth as…

Akedat Yitzhak, when Avraham was commanded to sacrifice his son and he immediately complied – until at the last minute G-d told him to withdraw his knife, as this was…

The Derech Hashem Runs Down the Middle of the Road The Rambam writes in Hilchos Dayos that there are different types of people in the world, each with their own…

The Mishna in Pirkei Avos tells us that the world exists due to three things: Torah, Avodah, and Gemilus Chassadim. Torah is the learning and studying of the Oral and…

Once, a person told his Rebbe that he wished he had no tests. His Rebbe told him, “Take three pots and fill them with water. Cook a potato in one,…

Please explain the word “GLATT”-is it still shayach today? Very, very much! Not only is it relevant today, but it probably has more applications today than it originally did. Glatt…

The Torah in Parashat Vayera tells the famous story of “Akedat Yishak,” when G-d tested Abraham by commanding him to slaughter his only son, which was born when he was…

During election season, society often splits, with some supporting the sitting president and others opposing him. It’s become common to hear people making jokes and derogatory remarks about the president-elect….

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi, Thanks for your column, I enjoy reading it on Shabbos. I have a question for you. I recently “dropped the shadchan” and now am dating…

The Mitzvah There is a great mitzvah for one to be involved with making shidduchim between a boy and girl. Hashem was the first shadchan in the world who made…

I. A Gentile Writing a Letter in a Scroll? On October 7, 2024, Senator Lindsey Graham visited the Western Wall and filled in a letter in a new Torah scroll…

We read in Parashat Lech- Lecha of an argument that arose between Avraham Avinu and his nephew, Lot, who had accompanied him when he went to the live in Eretz…

There’s No Place Like Away From Home to Learn How to be a Good Host The very first Rashi in our parsha [Bereishis 12:1] interprets the words “Go for yourself”…

Many people buy a choson and kallah a Birchas HaBayis plaque to hang in their new home. It contains the wish that their house be blessed with all kinds of…

DIRECTIONS: This is such a simple recipe. It really takes minutes to come together and it looks beautiful on the plate when you serve it. Serve them sliced on an…

We must believe that everything is for the good and that everything is from Hashem. The belief itself has the potential to turn everything around and cause the good to…

May I use a warming drawer on Shabbos? Warming drawers on Shabbos is indeed a serious issue. There are a number of things to consider. First of all, you have…

When G-d first spoke to Avraham and commanded him to leave his homeland and move to what would become known as the Land of Israel, He made several promises, including,…

Life comes with both good days and challenging ones. While we are blessed, at times we are tested. Pirkei Avos teaches “Asara nisyonos nisnassoh Avraham Avinu, Our father, Avraham, was…

An old Jewish lady sold pretzels on a street corner for 25 cents each. Every day a young well- dressed man would leave his office building at lunch time, and…

When my cousin’s daughter asked me to officiate her wedding in Israel the week after Sukkos, how could I say no? Her mother, my beloved first cousin, passed away at…

I. Teaching Torah G r a n d p a r e n t s fulfill a unique mitzvah by teaching their descendants Torah. The Gemara (Kiddushin 30a) offers someone…

The first pasuk in Parashat Noach describes him as an Ish Tzaddik – “righteous man,” and also as Tamim, which means “pure,” or “innocent.” Later, however, we read that when…

The sequence of expression in the opening pasukim of our parsha [Bereishis 6:9-10] is noteworthy. The Torah begins “And these are the offspring of Noach” (Eleh toldos Noach), which would…

As the entire world was about to be destroyed by the great mabul, the flood, the only means of escape was to get passage on Noach’s ark. Only those who…

The nusach of Yizkor, is “ Compassionate Father Who dwells in heaven.” Also, at a levayah, people say, “ Hashem Who is full of compassion and dwells in heaven.” Why…

Q: Can one buy unflavored hot coffee both regular and/or decaf from any non-kosher establishment such as Starbucks or a Dunkin Donuts without a hechsher? This is a very complicated…

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups (10 ounces) all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup…

INGREDIENTS: Poppyseed Dressing 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1/4 cup sugar 1 garlic clove 1 1/2 tablespoons poppyseeds 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons light mayo 1/3…

Parashat Noah tells the well-known story of the flood which G-d brought upon the world to destroy all of mankind, sparing only Noah and his family. The previous Parasha, Parashat…

There is a chill in the air. A nippy breeze. We’re pulling out our jackets, and the days are getting shorter. In a few days, it will be getting darker…

Henry Kissinger’s Suit There is an old Jewish anecdote about former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger who decides to make for himself a custom-made beautiful three-piece suit of the finest…

Simchas Torah, October 7, will forever be etched in our hearts and minds as the day of the greatest massacre of our people since the Holocaust. The brutal, cold-blooded murder…

We understand the importance of casting a ballot on Election Day, but not everyone is familiar with the Torah’s perspective. Should people voice their opinion on who should be their…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi. I read your column all the time. I hope you can help me. I’m not sure what to do. I’ve gone out with this guy…

Recently certain kashrus agencies have begun to offer courses for women to make them mashgichot. These roles can be either to visit certain plants or to maintain the kosher program…

Chaim Yehuda Meyer: I read your book, Be Huge, over the Yomim Noraim and found it to be very transformative. My davening, learning, and ahavas Yisroel were all the more…

When did you start blogging? I started blogging 20 years ago, in 2004, when blogs were still a new thing. I saw some blogs saying things about halachah that I…

Tzaddikim said that if people knew the value of the esrog, they would spend all the money in the world to acquire it. The Gemara (Succah 41) tells us that…

Why do we celebrate Sukkos for seven days? After all, the Sukkah commemorates the Clouds of Glory that shielded us in the desert for a full forty years when we…

Is a canvas sukkah kosher if the walls move in the wind? Sukkah walls that move in a regular wind are not valid walls. There are different opinions as to…

Simhat Torah is one of the happiest and joyous holidays of the year. However, Simhat Torah appears to be, chronologically, “out of order.” Since we received the Torah after Pesach,…

Every day, from Rosh Chodesh Elul through Shemini Atzeres, we recite Psalm 27, “L’Dovid, HaShem, Ori V’yish’ee, HaShem, is my light and my salvation, meemee eerah, whom shall I fear?”…

Interruption of Shivah A teaching in the Mishna defines the duties of a Jew who is in mourning at the outset of a festival. “Regalim mafsikim,” state the sages, “festivals…

A renowned Rabbi once did a favor for the Gerrer Rebbe, the Lev Simcha, which the Rebbe remembered for many years. Each year, on Erev Rosh Hashana, the Rebbe would…

UNSTUFFED CABBAGE INGREDIENTS: 1 (750 ml) bottle ketchup 1 liter ginger ale 1 whole cabbage, very coarsely shredded 2 lb ground beef 1 onion 1⁄2 cup rice 2 eggs garlic…

1. Walls of the Sukkah: – Minimum Requirement: The sukkah must have at least two full walls and part of a third wall. The two full walls should be at…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m hoping you can help me. I have been friends with this guy for the past few years. We get along well and I have strong…

Birchos Kohanim is the highlight for many of those living outside of Eretz Yisrael since it is done only a few times a year. In Eretz Yisrael it is done…

On the one hand, never before have Jews been as prosperous as they are now. Both the vast majority of individuals and the community in general are currently blessed with…

In our Yom Tov prayer text, Sukkot is called z’man simchateinu – “our festival of joy.” The primary theme of Sukkot is simcha – joy. What exactly is the connection…

The Torah reading on Simchas Torah contains the well- known pasuk: “The Torah was commanded to us by Moshe, a Morasha [inheritance] to the Congregation of Yaakov.” [Devorim 33:4] There…

The day which we normally refer to as “Yom Kippur” is actually called in the Torah by a slightly different name – “Yom Kippurim.” The name “Yom Kippur means “Day…

We are just days away from Yom Kippur. A time for us to reckon with our past, and daven for our future. A time to look inward, and search for…

Forgiveness Should Not Create Fear During the ten days from Rosh Hashanah through Yom Kippur, known as the “Ten days of Teshuvah,” we recite each morning one of the most…

I recently read a story about one of the most successful magazine entrepreneurs in the world. The man was raised by a single mother in the Midwest, struggled growing up,…

Fasting (Ta’anit) – The fast on Yom Kippur is considered the strictest in Jewish law. It is not just a physical act of abstaining from food and drink but a…

Hi! I love reading your column. So, here’s my story. I’ve been married for five months. My wife is kind, considerate, and appreciative. We work long hours and enjoy our…

We are all familiar with the simonim that are eaten on Rosh Hashanah. However, some foods are avoided from Rosh Hashanah until as late as Hoshanah Rabbah. What are these…

GOLDEN POTATO SOUP INGREDIENTS: One and half pounds Yukon gold potatoes – Peeled and chopped Two parsnips – peeled and chopped One onion – chopped Three stocks of celery –…

Genocide, the targeted killing of a people, is not a modern invention. Many have tried to kill the Jews, the biblical Haman being perhaps the most famous ancient example. Other…

The Gemara teaches, “Teshuvah [repentance] is great, because it reaches the Throne of Glory.” What exactly does this mean? How does our teshuvah reach G-d’s throne in the heavens? And…

I would like to share a thought about Yom Kippur. As Rav Dovid Kronglass used to say, this is the most important week of the year. We have a tremendous…

This erev Shabbos is unique. Normally on Friday, especially in the afternoon, it is a time when we try to abstain from any serious eating for it is very preferred…

Reb Baruch Ber zt’l (Birchas Shmuel) excelled in the mitzvah of honoring his parents, and when his father was ill, he stayed with his father almost every night. One night,…

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…

The Issur Chazal wanted to protect the Jews from assimilating with the non-Jews and therefore enacted a gezeira that the bread of a non-Jew is forbidden for a Jew to…

Please tell everyone a little bit about Joey Saban. I was born and raised in South Brooklyn as a first generation American with proud Sephardic Jewish heritage. My passion for…

Have you ever felt like a fraud? Ever experience that sentiment that you’re a fake, that you are making this up as you go and, eventually will be found out…

As we bring the year to a close, it seems like not only the year is ending, but history and the world as well. Looking back, it is fascinating to…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, In high school we were told that when we start dating, never to talk to friends about it for multiple reasons such as it can cause…

The posuk in the Torah says that melacha is generally forbidden on Yom Tov, although melacha which is needed to prepare food to eat is permitted. Once these melachos (cooking,…

As we approach a string of three three-day yamim tovim, people are thinking about their hygiene and comfort, including showering and brushing teeth. I will discuss here the longstanding debate…

It seems that every few years, someone argues that the message of the Akedah, the binding and near-sacrifice of Yitzchak (Gen. 22), is something other than that we should follow…

Many people enter the season of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur asking themselves, “What’s the point? I went through all this last year, and here I am, the same person…

The Mishna says [Rosh HaShanah 27b] that someone who passes the back side of a shul or someone whose house is next to a shul and he hears the Shofar…

ONION JAM CHICKEN INGREDIENTS: 6 chicken bottoms 4 large Vidalia onions, thinly sliced 1/2 cup of golden raisins 3 cinnamon sticks 1/4 cup of silan 1 teaspoon turmeric Salt and…

We all know Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgement, when our fate is written up and our yearly sustenance is decided. But Rosh Hashanah is also the first day…

During Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, some people ask for a drop more money, or a little bit more success, etc. But we can ask for so much more, and Hashem will…

This month many of the bakeries sell raisin challah. Many local bagel stores recently stopped selling cinnamon raisin bagels. Are raisins kosher to eat? The OU’s position is that raisins…

The famous Haftara read on Shabbat Shuba – the Shabbat in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – comes from the Book of Hoshea, and begins with the prophet calling…

It’s 2 AM. “Ani ye’sheinah, v’leebe eir, I am sleeping, but my heart is awake.” (Shir HaShirim 5:2) I came home from Selichos a little while ago, physically tired, but…

What’s the Novelty? Teshuvah, or repentance, one of the greatest gifts that Judaism and the Torah have given humanity, is the idea that G-d gives second chances. This is a…

Aryeh: Music has the power to uplift, to inspire, to elevate, and to transform a person. In the times of the Holy Temple, in the Beis Hamikdash, the Leviim were…

Everything that will take place this year was already decreed on Rosh Hashanah, so why daven? There are many different approaches to answer this question, and many of them are…

I. Have a Good Year Many people greet each other on Rosh Hashanah with blessings for a good year, “Shanah tovah.” Rav Ya’akov Ben Asher, the 14th century German- Spanish…

For many of us, the period of Yamim Noraim is like a door that constantly opens and closes, but always remains in the same place. We constantly “move” – we…

The second Mishna of tractate Rosh Hashana teaches “On Rosh Hashana all who enter the world pass before Him (for judgment) like Bnei Maron” (sheep being counted). However, the Gemara…

Every morning during Elul, we hear the shofar in shul. One of the reasons for this custom is that it is similar to the court giving a debtor thirty days…

The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 7:6-7) describes the closeness to Hashem one can attain through teshuvah. He also describes the difference between before and after teshuvah. “Teshuvah is amazing because it…

What is preferable? To wake up early and recite Selichos before dawn (a.k.a. alos hashachar, which is 72 minutes before sunrise), or to stay up late and recite Selichos after…

CROCKPOT HONEY BALSAMIC BRISKET INGREDIENTS: 3 -4 lb second cut brisket or deckle 1 1/2 cups water 2 tsp seasoned salt 2 tsp garlic powder 1 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar…

The Midrash (Vayikra Rabba) teaches that on Rosh Hashanah, G-d sits on the “throne of judgment,” ready to carefully judge and scrutinize every individual. But when we sound the shofar,…

This week, the final Shabbos of 5784, we read parshas Nitzavim and Vayeilech. Nitzavim opens, “Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem…, You (Bnei Yisroel) are standing together today…” Rashi teaches that hayom,…

On Rosh Hashanah we produce three sounds via the shofar. The first sound is called tekiah, a single whole note. The second is shevarim, three shorter “broken” notes, which sound…

If you submitted the script to Hollywood, it would be rejected for being too outrageous and unbelievable. If you proposed it as a plan, it would likely be dismissed for…

As the war in Lebanon has raged on for nearly a year, recent explosions have taken a significant turn, neutralizing thousands of Hezbollah’s advanced fighters and high-ranking commanders. This blow…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, I have been dating a guy for 2 months now. We really get along well, but I am curious to meet his family. I feel like…

This week’s parsha contains the terrible Tochacha – the 98 curses delineated in graphic detail, through which the Almighty warns us of what we will be subject to if we…

As we go about reflecting on our lives getting ready for Rosh Hashannah, the Day of Judgement, it is imperative to think about the following Gemara in the beginning of…

Shulchan Aruch teaches that ideally, a shofar should come from a ram, and it should be bent. The Mishnah Berurah explains that the shofar should be from a ram to…

Parashat Ki-Tabo begins with the Misva of Bikkurim, which requires landowners to bring their first ripened fruits to the Bet Ha’mikdash, and present them to a Kohen. The Torah commands,…

Let’s travel back in time to the days the Beis HaMikdash stood in Yerushalayim. It’s harvest time, and the farmers are in the field. They’re busy collecting bikurim, the first…

Elizabeth A couple is in the midst of a tremendous fight, as a gunman breaks into their home. Pointing his rifle at the woman of the home, he asks her…

APPLE FRITTERS INGREDIENTS: 3 large apples peeled, cored and sliced into rounds 1 cup flour 1 beaten egg Pinch of salt 1 tablespoon oil 1 tablespoon brandy 3 tablespoons sugar…

“0 – 2.” That was the defiant tweet former President Trump posted shortly after an assassination attempt on his life earlier this week, the second in less than three months….

Jewish billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis achieved a major milestone as the first non- professional astronauts to conduct a spacewalk on a commercial mission. On Thursday, the…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, My parents don’t understand me. I understand many teenagers or young adults say that, but in my case it is true and is having serious repercussions…

The beracha of shehechiyanu applies to many different areas such as Yom Tov, purchasing new items, performing mitzvahs and eating new fruits. This issue will focus on the beracha of…

The July 21, 1969, landing on the moon was a monumental achievement for mankind, and the leading Torah scholars of the time were as impressed as everyone else in the…

The Torah in Parashat Ki- Tavo makes it very clear that according to the Torah, happiness is a really big deal. This parashah is one of the two parashiyot in…

Checking Eggs for Blood Spots – What is the issue with checking eggs for blood spots? If I buy a package of eggs which is certified kosher, is this necessary?…

One of the Misvot presented in Parashat Ki-Teseh is the prohibition against plowing a field with both an ox and a donkey (22:10). In ancient times, plowing was done by…

This week’s parsha, Ki Seitzei, opens with the pasuk, “Ki Seitzei la’milchama al oy’vecha, When you go out to war against your enemies…” (Devarim 21:10). The Torah acknowledges that war…

Who’s Doing the Talking? “Does marriage change one’s personality?” Greg asked his buddy Mike. “In a way,” says Mike. “You see, when I was engaged, I did most of the…

You can avoid compounding the pain of your loved ones when you are gone. Death is a highly uncomfortable and awkward subject. As a result, most people do all they…

Elul is a time when the poskim r e c o m m e n d checking tefillin and מט״א סימן) mezuzot Although .) תקפא ס״י there is no obligation…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, My wife came from a frum household and prefers to cover her hair with a teichel, however she doesn’t cover all her hair and half of…

INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons sesame oil 16 ounces sliced baby Bella mushrooms 2 tablespoons soy sauce or coconut amino 1 tablespoon silan 2 teaspoons sesame seeds One head cabbage, shredded Juice…

In shul many men place their tallis over their head for the entire davening. Some do so only after Barchu, while others do not cover their head with a tallis…

Teshuvah, repentance, is about returning to G-d after sin. However, it is not enough to change yourself. You also have to attempt to undo your sin, to fix what you…

There was once a man who was mired in financial ruin, drowning in oceans of debt and without a job, and who was walking with his son when they passed…

This week’s parsha contains one of the most f a s c i n a t i n g mitzvos in the Torah: “Shiluach HaKen” [Devarim 22:6-7], sending away the…

The incredible opportunities of the days of Elul for returning to Hashem and acceptance of our repentance and prayers can be seen from an awesome statement of the Ben Ish…

Tehillim The Rashab of Lubavitz zt’l once said, “Elul is the season for saying Tehillim.” (He said this when he sent his gabbai to buy him a Tehillim in Elul….

The King’s Torah’s In this week’s parsha, Shoftim, the Torah teaches us a fascinating mitzvah concerning every Jewish King: 18 And it will be, when he sits upon his royal…

“Ok, sweet boy, go now on your journey, I hope it’s as good as the trips you dreamed about, because finally, my sweet sweet boy, finally, finally, finally, finally you…

Being Jewish, it’s natural to feel a sense of fear when considering our small numbers among a vast quantity of enemies. The large demonstrations we’ve witnessed recently against the Jewish…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Thanks so much for your column. My family and I read it every week! Here’s my question. My husband and I agreed when we were engaged…

There is a well-known custom to recite L’Dovid Hashem Ori, the 27th chapter of Tehillim, from the second day of Rosh Chodesh Elul until after Sukkos. What is the source…

I. Which Charity? Many people in the Jewish community have achieved varieties of financial success, allowing them the privilege of supporting many charities. This raises questions of communal and philanthropic…

DIRECTIONS: SHAWARMA ROLL I had made Shawarma for dinner one night this week and had leftovers so rather than go to waste, decided to repurpose them into a Shawarma roll….

Parashat Shoftim begins with a discussion of the judges who are to be appointed to preside over the nation’s legal disputes. The Torah commands the judges not to show favoritism….

The verse says: “then the two men who have the grievance shall stand before Hashem, before the Kohanim, and the judges who will be in those days” [Devorim 19:17]. The…

With Elul upon us, we acutely realize that a lot is at stake at this time of year. I’d like to share with you a few atrategies that I think…

Reb Yosef Tzvi Dushinsky zt’l told the following mashal: A hungry lion once told a fox, “Give me your heart.” The wise fox knew that if he gave his heart,…

The Torah commands in Parashat Shoftim (16:20), “Sedek Sedek Tirdof” – that we must “pursue” justice. The verse continues, “in order that you live and take possession of the land…”…

It’s that time of year. Time to stock up on school supplies and get the kids’ knapsacks ready. It’s not just the children who have knapsacks, but as adults we…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, I met the man of my dreams. Everything was going smoothly until we got engaged. Our parents met to divide financial responsibilities for the wedding. They…

10 % of the people in the world are left-handed. Consequently, the amount of yiddin who are left handed is very little. However, many halachos come up on a daily…

I. Employment and Slavery The issue of drafting Israeli yeshiva students into the IDF is a perennial political topic. I would like to discuss a related topic but without any…

Parashat Re’eh begins with Moshe Rabbenu telling the people, “See that I give you this day a blessing and a curse.” He then explains that if we follow the mitzvot,…

But this shall you not eat from among those that bring up their cud or have completely separated split hooves: the camel, the hare, and the hyrax, for they bring…

Once Tu b’Av arrives we can already wish people a kesiva vchasima tova-to be written and signed in the book of good life for the upcoming new year. Since Elul…

A segulah for parnassah and financial success is to give maasar, 1/10th of one’s earnings, to tzedakah. It states (14:22) aser te’aser, and the Gemara (Taanis 9.) states, aser b’shvil…

INGREDIENTS: 2 cups grated zucchini, 2 to 3 zucchini depending on their size. 3 eggs 1 cup oil 2 cups sugar 3 teaspoons vanilla 1/4 teaspoon each baking powder, baking…

Can one buy frozen fruits that are not checked like strawberries, blackberries etc and blend it for a fruit shake? How about vegetables unchecked for a shake? Any fruit or…

Parashat Re’eh begins with Moshe telling Beneh Yisrael, “See that I am presenting you today with a blessing and a curse.” He then proceeds to explain that the people will…

In Parshas Re’eh, Moshe continues to give his final message to Bnei Yisroel. He speaks of the blessings that come with following HaShem’s mitzvos, and the difficulties that will befall…

The Fight A Jewish congregation was arguing over whether one should stand or sit during the Kaddish prayer. Half of the congregation said one should sit, while the other half…

This week, a Jew hater with 1.6 million Twitter followers posted an image consisting of a collection of supposed passages from the Talmud that paint Jews as disparaging towards and…

Our parasha begins with a pasuk stating that we are only allowed to bring Korbanot (sacrifices) at the place that Hashem chooses. This is the location where we are to…

INGREDIENTS: 4- 5 pounds of pargiot (you can use white meat chicken cutlets, but reduce your cooking time as they cook quicker than the thighs) Marinade 2 ripe mangoes 1/2…

Parashat Ekev includes the second paragraph of Shema, in which we find the command to educate our children: V’limad’tem Otam Et B’neichem – “You shall teach them [the words of…

The One Who feeds you manna in the desert…in order to test you. (Devarim 8:16) Everyone knows that life is a test. We struggle to make a living, to raise…

In Parshas Shoftim, when the Kohein exhorted the troops before battle, he said Shema Yisroel, and Rashi interprets his message, “Afilu ein bahem zchus ela Krias Shema bilvad, k’dai atem…

A counsel for joy is to learn to get along with others. This will save you from much pain and hardships. Reb Avraham Genachovsky zt’l once said to someone who…

How does one determine what bracha to make on a product? If it’s not obvious, you have to know the ingredients that are used to make the product and you…

The Or Ha’haim (Rav Haim Ben-Attar, 1696-1743) notes what appears to be a glaring contradiction between two verses in Parashat Ekeb. In the opening verse of this Parasha, Moshe promises…

Summertime finds our family upstate. Our development is blessed to have a magnificent shul, with a giant oak tree right in front of the entrance. This year, our tree of…

The Jewish Perspective Ammunition had run out for a unit in the Russian army, but it was still under fierce attack. “Take out your bayonets,” said the corporal, “we are…

Labels can cause real damage. Name calling in politics is nothing new. America has a long history of presidential candidates hurling insults at one another, going all the way back…

Although those who spend the summer in the country are usually familiar with the concept of techumim, many who visit for just a Shabbat or go camping may not be….

Dear Rabbi and Shira , Hi, I enjoy your column in the Jewish & Country Vues, and read it weekly. I have a situation that I would love your input….

In Order to Live We need to eat and drink in order to live. After eating and drinking, waste must be expelled. We must have the proper approach to the…

I. A Hard Day’s Night The Wall Street Journal recently published an expose on Bank of America for overworking employees. One investment banker recently died from a blood clot after…

Shabbos Nachamu An ancient sefer (written by an Italian gadol) called Sefer Minhag Tov, writes, “It is a good custom not to take a haircut before erev Shabbos Nachamu, and…

Sherry Casks: Can you please explain? Sherry is a type of wine. Wine is a very sensitive ingredient when it comes to Kashrus. There are some scotches, particularly single malt…

We read in Parashat Va’et’hanan the first of the three paragraphs that comprise the Shema text which we recite each morning and evening. This first paragraph contains the command, “Ve’ahabta…

Parshas Va’eschanan is always read on Shabbos Nachamu. V’eschanan. The parsha in which Moshe begs and pleads with HaShem to be allowed to enter Eretz Yisroel along with the Jewish…

Yosef Vs. Moshe “G-d became angry with me because of you, and He did not listen to me,” Moshe states in the beginning of this week’s parsha (Vaeschanan). “G-d said…

After rising for many years, the di- vorce rate in the United States today is lower than it was a decade ago. But be- fore you celebrate, the reason is…

Many people take their families on a getaway for Shabbat Nachamu to refresh after the challenging three weeks of Bein HaMetzarim. When staying at a hotel, many halachic questions arise,…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Thanks for your column. I look forward to reading it each week in The Jewish Vues. Here is my issue. At what point should a person…

Q. Why are Israeli hechsherim so difficult to understand? When I travel to Eretz Yisrael, how can I know where to eat? A. This is a common question. At home,…

War is full of tragedy. Soldiers, civilians, society — nothing remains the same. People suffer injury, loss, death and displacement. Israelis today are experiencing not just war but trauma from…

In Parashat Vaet’hanan, Moshe Rabbenu tells Beneh Yisrael that when they enter the Land of Israel, they will find things readymade for them: Large, good cities which you did not…

Perhaps one of the hardest commandments to understand — let alone fulfill — is Lo Sachmod, not to be jealous. As Ibn Ezra asks (Shemos 20:14), how can the Torah…

Shabbos Nachamu is a perplexing time. Everyone is heaving a sigh of relief after the intensity of mourning, saying elaborate, tragic sequences of Kinos, and gritty fasting. Once again, we…

The Nine Days. Tisha B’Av. A time to remember the churban Beis HaMikdash, the devastation of Yerushalayim, the pain and persecution of our people. Tragically, that was not the last…

Vain Tears At the surface, it seems like a very unfair response, recorded in the Talmud: The Torah—in Numbers and again in this week’s portion of Devarim—relates how when the…

On April 11, 1944, a young Anne Frank wrote in her diary: Who has made us Jews different from all other people? Who has allowed us to suffer so terribly…

Leading to the sad day of Tisha B’Av, we read Haftarot with the rebukes of the prophecies. These rebukes are meant for us, and we should take them seriously. At…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Thank you so much for your column. I enjoy reading it each week. I have been in the dating parsha for about a year now. My…

In this issue we will discuss the halachos nine days. During the nine days we are not allowed to do many more actions than those that are customarily not done…

I. Four Exemptions Soldiers in the field are often pressed for time and lack access to basic necessities like water. Of course, they have to eat to sustain their strength….

ONE POT MUSHROOM SPINACH ARTICHOKE PASTA INGREDIENTS: 12 ounces fettuccine 1 (14-ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced 1 large onion, thinly sliced 2 cloves…

One of the prohibitions that apply on Tishah B’Av is that we do not wear normal shoes. In the olden days, people would walk about barefoot on Tishah B’Av, whereas…

“You have enough, circle the mountain, and turn to the north (tzafonah).” (Devarim 2:3) The Kli Yakar lived during a time when the Jews enjoyed prosperity, and he did not…

During the Nine Days, we practice habits of mourning over the destruction of our two Batei Mikdashos, our two Temples, and the millions of Jewish lives that were lost in…

Beginning Rosh Chodesh Av until after Tisha B’Av (the Nine Days) the custom of Ashkenazim is not to eat meat or drink wine, in remembrance of the destruction of the…

The two Batei Mikdash were destroyed because of aveiros, but the aveiros of these two eras weren’t the same. The primary aveiros of the first Beis HaMikdash were avodah zarah,…

In Parashat Debarim, Moshe recounts several of Beneh Yisrael’s experiences as they traveled through the desert, including the time when they prepared to journey along the border of Edom, the…

We chase opportunities most of the time; sometimes, though, they follow us. This is the story of how Boots for Israel began as an idea that birthed an initiative that…

Last week, we cited the fundamental Rashi, that the way for a man to treat his wife like a husband should, is legad’lah u’lechavevah, to make her feel important and…

I still remember vividly one of the strangest ads I have ever seen. When I was much younger, a restaurant in my neighborhood was promoting its special menu for the…

In parshas Matos, members of the tribes of Gad and Reuven, approach Moshe, Elazar the Kohen, and the princes of the nation with a request. Both tribes had large herds…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, I was dating a guy for 3 months, and I fell hard for him. We had common goals, and enjoyed speaking about all things pre-law. We…

The Gemara (Shabbos 9:) says that one must daven minchah before sitting down to eat a meal. (Details of this halachah are discussed in Shulchan Aruch 232:2). Nevertheless, if he…

Some congregations have a custom to learn Pirkei Avot during the summer days, and therefore we would like to share a thought on the structure of these mishnayot. The first…

In this issue we will discuss the halachos that apply to the nine days. During the nine days we are not allowed to do many more actions than those that…

I. Prohibited Fear Fear is a normal reaction that often serves a helpful purpose of avoiding danger. However, during war, fear can endanger lives by delaying response time and impeding…

PENNE WITH CREAMY SALMON INGREDIENTS: 1 lb salmon 8 oz uncooked penne pasta 3 tbsp butter 1 medium onion (chopped) 8 oz heavy cream 3/4 cup grated Parmesan 1/4 cup…

Parashat Maseh discusses the subject of Arei Miklat – the “cities of refuge” which were to be designated for the purpose of protecting people who killed somebody by accident. Angry…

And Moshe said to the people of Gad and Reuven, “Your brothers will go to war and you will remain here?” (Bamidbar 32:6) The first Gerrer Rebbe was the Chiddushei…

Beginning Rosh Chodesh Av until after Tisha B’Av (the Nine Days) the custom of Ashkenazim is not to eat meat or drink wine, in remembrance of the destruction of the…

In Parashat Matot we read of the request made by the tribes Reuven and Gad, who approached Moshe to ask if they could permanently reside in the territory east of…

Why Aaron? The Torah never mentions the yartzeit—the day of the passing—of any of its protagonists. We do not know the day when Adam, Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Yosef, Sarah, or…

The Torah in Parashat Pinhas tells about the census taken of Beneh Yisrael shortly before they crossed into the Land of Israel. We find in the Torah’s account of this…

After the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7, there was a sudden burst of interest in tzitzis. So many people, particularly soldiers, wanted to start wearing tzitzis that there was…

Parashat Pinhas continues the story that began at the end of the previous parasha, Parashat Balak. After Balak tried to have Bilam place a curse on Beneh Yisrael – an…

After Pinchas acted with zealotry by killing Zimri and Kozbi, he was rewarded by G-d with the “Covenant of Peace”. The Netziv (1817-1893) explains why – contrary to our intuitive…

In the beginning of Shacharis, the morning prayer, we say Adon Olam. The Meforshim say that this is very appropriate since the Gemora tells us that Avrahom Avinu was the…

The Chinuch (Mitzvah 488) explains the mitzvah of being happy on yom tov. He writes, “The Torah states (Devarim 16:14) V e ’ s a m a c h t…

Can one bake an open pan of chicken/ meat in a hot oven immediately after fish was baked in an open pan? What about the opposite, fish after meat, if…

INGREDIENTS: Fruit filling 1 pound fresh rhubarb,chopped 1 pound strawberries, chopped 1/2 cup white sugar 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Topping 3/4 cup all purpose flour 1/2 cup…

This week’s parsha carries the name of Pinchas, son of Elazar, grandson of the Kohein Gadol, Aaron. The backstory to this week’s parsha really begins in parshas Balak, When Bilaam…

In Search for a Successor Miriam has died. So has Aaron. G-d tells Moshe that his turn is about to come. “Go up this mountain in the Abarim range and…

For many in Israel, on the surface, life is going on as normal. Children are in camp, coffee shops and malls are full, families are taking vacations, some within Israel…

The narrative involving Bilaam, Zimri ben Saluh, and the subsequent command to Moshe to take vengeance on Midian in Parashat Pinchas raises several complex questions about the biblical perspective on…

Dear Rabbi and Shira , Hi, last week I had Zoom date with a woman, and it went well. We laughed a lot, and seemed to hit it off. I…