RABBI RAZIEL COHEN, also known as the Tactical Rabbi, is making waves in both the Jewish and firearms communities. At just 28, he has spent over a decade training in…

In parshas Ki Teitzei, the Or HaChaim HaKodesh, zt”l, zy”a, tells us that the true enemy of every person is the Yeitzer Hara, the evil inclination. As the Gemara informs…

The Kav HaYashar (96) writes, “Every candle that is lit for a mitzvah is extremely holy. If we had ruach hakadosh, we would perceive the future when we light those…

When is the optimal time to light Chanukah candles? The Talmud (Shabbos 21a) relates that Chanukah candles should be lit when the sun disappears from view, and should remain lit…

And it was on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, and he made a feast for all of his servants. Bereishis 40:20 Does the Torah have a perspective on…

Sometimes it’s important to mind someone else’s business. Yosef sat in prison for more than a decade before he was released to become viceroy of Egypt. His path toward redemption…

The Gemara in Masechet Shabbat (21b) tells the story of the Chanukah miracle, and then adds that “Le’shana Aheret” – the next year – the Rabbis established Chanukah as an…

In this week’s parsha, Vayeishev, we learn of the tragic episode of Yosef being sold by his brothers to a caravan of Yishmaeilim. “… a caravan of Yishmaeilim were coming…

Two Perspectives Two cowboys come upon an Indian lying on his stomach with his ear to the ground. One of the cowboys stops and says to the other, “You see…

EASY HOMEMADE DONUT HOLES INGREDIENTS: FOR THE GLAZE: 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar 3 1/2 tablespoons whole milk or soy milk to keep pareve 2 teaspoons vanilla extract FOR THE…

A husband and wife are getting ready to go to sleep. The wife is ready to close her eyes and her husband stands staring at himself in the full- length…

During the rule of the Greeks, they decreed three f u n d a m e n t a l prohibitions upon Israel: the abolition of circumcision, Shabbat, and Rosh…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m not sure what to make of this. I’m dating a guy who we have great chemistry with on dates, conversation is good, and we connect…

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…

We tend to imagine the great sages as flawless in both halachic mastery and personal awareness. Generally, this attitude has great merit because these sages rose to their timeless prominence…

The Shulchan Aruch (Orah Haim 670:2) writes: “The extra meals that people add [during Chanukkah] are optional meals, because they [the Rabbis] did not institute them [these days] as [a…

Many people ask the following question: Chanukah is an eight-day holiday. There are dozens and dozens of laws in Hilchos Chanukah in Shulchan Aruch. The holiday is packed with halachik…

Everyone jokes about what they would do if they ever won the lottery. For most people, it’s just fantasy. But for Mark “Suchy” Klein, that dream became real, not once,…

FAST FACTS ABOUT DOVI WEISS AND YESHIVAT SHAVEI CHEVRON Name: Dovi Weiss Born in: Kibbutz Chofetz Chaim, Israel. Later moved to Yerushalayim and then Beit El. After finishing high school…

The Torah in Parashat Vayishlah tells the famous story of the mysterious man who attacked Yaakob Abinu as he was making his way back to Eretz Yisrael from Haran. Yaakob…

Time to go home. Many years have passed since Yaakov left his parents’ home, in fear of his brother Eisav. He lived in exile with his uncle Lavan, working for…

Two Perspectives Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go camping together, they put up a tent and go inside to enjoy a tranquil rest near the fire. In middle of the…

Twenty years ago, a woman I knew came to me with a heavy heart. She was married to a man who had become an alcoholic. This wasn’t social drinking nor…

And Yaakov called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen an angel of G-d face to face and my soul has been saved. Bereishis 32:31 There are…

What does it really mean to be “Shomer Shabbos”? As Yaakov Avinu prepared for their showdown, he sent Eisav a critical message: im Lavan garti, with Lavan I have lived…

During the cold winter days, one must ensure before Shabbat that the heating is set to the proper temperature. If he forgot to set it or there is another reason…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi! I’m a big fan of your column in the Jewish Vues and enjoy reading it on a weekly basis. I’m having a problem dating. My…

Gambling is very widespread today. People go to casinos and bet on horses and sporting events. They gamble at slot machines and play various card games. Until recently, gambling was…

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…

I. Remembering Rav Neriah This Shabbos, Vayishlach 5786, is designated as the Knitted Kipah Shabbos in c o m m e m o r a t i o n of…

The Gemara in Masechet Hagigah (5b) tells of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Hananiah, who was exceptionally effective in responding to the heretics of his time, those who worked to challenge Judaism…

The Torah tells us that after Yaakov fought with the Angel of Eisav, “The sun rose and was shining upon him” (Yaakov) [Bereishis 32:32]. The Talmud in Chulin [91b] relates…

The revered and holy Mashgiach of Lakewood, Rav Nosson Vachtfogel, zt”l, zy”a, pondered an interesting contemporary phenomenon. In his sefer, Likutei Reshimos, he wonders why millions of people across the…

The Divrei Yisrael discusses how the “Polish ganavim” would steal: They developed a technique to get the store owner out of the store and leave it unattended. The thief comes…

Can I buy non-kosher pet food to feed my pets? Yes. You can purchase non-kosher pet food. However, make sure that the pet food is not Basar B’chalav. This is…

When most people think of Kung Fu, they picture Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan shirtless, focused, and ready to take on some serious opponents. Rarely does one imagine an African-American…

When I was invited to deliver an invocation at the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) Summit, I was honored, but I also hesitated. The timing, early Friday morning, was particularly…

This week, a long- standing dispute in Yeshivas Ponovezh finally reached its conclusion. News sites and social media platforms—many of them run by shomrei Torah—reported the story and referred to…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m married for a year and a half. I have a problem. I can’t stand my husband’s best friend. I feel like he’s a bad influence…

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…

I. Close Your Ears The Gemara in Kesubos (5a-b) says, “What does it mean: ‘And you shall have a shovel among your weapons (azenekha)’ (Deut. 23:14)? Do not read it…

And he arrived at the place and he slept overnight there, because the sun had set. Bereishis 28:11 The Gemara (Berachos 60b) teaches that when one goes to sleep, he…

What makes something a “real” experience? After marrying two sisters a mere week apart, the Torah says that Yaakov loved Rachel “even more” than he loved Leah (29:30). The clear…

We read in Parashat Vayetze of Yaakov Avinu’s arrangement with his father-in-law, Lavan, whereby he would work for seven years and then be given Lavan’s daughter, Rachel, as a wife….

Comparing The Image In Heaven With The Image On Earth: Do They Match? Yaakov Avinu [our Patriarch] dreamt of a ladder that was based on earth, with its top reaching…

INGREDIENTS: 8-12 bone in chicken pieces – I used thighs 3 sweet potatoes cut into spears 2 onions, sliced Onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, grilled chicken spice Olive oil DIRECTIONS:…

Last week, I had a much anticipated family wedding to attend. My cousins, Dr. Sharon and Eric Rosen, were marrying off a child and, having already missed some of their…

Reb Chaim Kanievsky zt’l said that when he was seventeen, his father and the Chazon Ish zt’l began looking for a shidduch for him. He ended up marrying the daughter…

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 Vayeseh begins: “Yaakob left from Be’er Sheba, and he went to Haran.” Many commentators addressed the question of why the Torah needs to tell us here that Yaakob left…

Growing up, I would come home from school with stories of the Pilgrims and Indians joining together for a Thanksgiving feast. My mother would say that for a Jew, every…

These are challenging times for our people, and for all good people. For Jews, one of most powerful resources for millennia has been thanksgiving and gratitude. In our transition, we…

The Gemorah says that one may not earn money on Shabbos. Money earned on Shabbos is called sechar shabbos and is prohibited in order to prevent one from conducting business…

People are complicated and may fail to perform a mitzvah for many reasons, including those entirely beyond their control. Consider someone who bought a mezuzah from a reputable and pious…

What is the defining difference between us Jews and the surrounding society? There are several, but if I had to choose one, I would say: the tattoo. The most significant…

Worse Than Color Blind: Seeing The Color, But Not the Soup This week’s parsha, contains the famous story of the selling of the birthright. Yaakov cooks a pot of lentil…

When Leah had her third child, she explained, “Hapa’am yilave ishi eilai – This time my husband will walk alongside of me.” And the Torah concludes, “Al kein, kara sh’mo…

After World War Two, the Germans offered to give money to Jewish people, called reparations, to atone for what they did and to express their regret. There was a hot…

And Yaakov said, sell to me as of today, your birthright. Bereishis 25:31 Sources that a Person Can Sell Mitzvos and their Reward The Gemara (Menachos 72b) teaches that if…

What we notice about others can be “soup-er” revealing about ourselves! A common misconception is that Eisav was known as “Edom” (red) due to the ruddy skin tone with which…

Can I use my leftover challah to make dairy French toast? So, there’s really two questions about the challah. Let’s talk about how it was baked. If it was baked…

TURKEY BREAST INGREDIENTS: Orange-Honey Glaze: • 3/4 cup honey • 1 teaspoon, orange zest • 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar • 1 teaspoon…

Parashat Toldot tells the story of the blessings that Yishak Abinu decided to give to Esav, but ended up conferring upon Yaakob, who, at his mother’s behest, disguised as Esav…

My beloved mother, Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis a”h, was unfortunately painfully weak and ill. I only wanted to be with my ema as much possible. “Chaya Sorale, could you please get…

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…

A dear friend of mine often sees headlines or stories in the secular world and tries to seek deeper meaning behind them. In this case, he posted on his WhatsApp…

As New York prepares for the ‘free for all’ mayor- with subways and buses becoming fare-free, an interesting halachic question arises: may one ride a free bus or train on…

Dear Rabbi and Shira , Hi. I’m a weekly reader of your column. I figured this was the right place to ask my question. On my friend’s very first date,…

Rav Chaim Soloveitchik on Avraham’s Priorities: When Avraham told his servant to swear that he would faithfully fulfill the mission to find a wife for Yitzchak, the Torah describes Eliezer…

In our Maariv prayers, we make a very important request of Hashem. “V’haseir Satan mil’faneinu u’mei’achareinu – Remove the Satan from in front of us and from behind us.” The…

The Midrash (Bereishis Rabba 58:3) states, “Reb Akiva was teaching Torah and saw that his students were falling asleep. To awaken them, he asked, “Why did Esther rule over 127…

Can I buy non-kosher pet food to feed my pets? Yes. You can purchase non-kosher pet food. However, make sure that the pet food is not Basar B’chalav. This is…

The Torah in Parashat Hayeh-Sara tells the story of Eliezer, the trusted servant of Abraham Abinu, who was sent to find a suitable wife for Abraham’s son, Yishak. Abraham told…

On a recent Friday afternoon, my friend Chayale received a surprise gift package – a bottle of wine and a cake. She wasn’t expecting Shabbos guests. It wasn’t her birthday…

How Is Your Marriage? “How is your marriage?” Someone once asked a woman. Her response: “Before I got married, I was incomplete. Now, that I married, I am finished.” Sara’s…

And Yitzchak went out to meditate (daven) in the field towards the evening. Bereishis 24:63 Although the common practice among the Jewish people is to daven Shemoneh Esrei in a…

Marriage? Romantic. The source? Not so much! The Torah describes that a man gets married by “taking” a wife (Devarim 24:1). What does “taking” entail? Chazal note the appearance of…

INGREDIENTS: 2 pounds thinly sliced chicken cutlets 1/2 cup flour Salt and pepper to taste 2 pints cherry tomatoes 3 to 4 cloves of garlic, minced 1/4 cup sliced Kalamata…

I still remember a slogan from a well- known public service announcement from my youth: “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk.” Simple yet profound, it captured the essence of true…

One of the most antisemitic figures in the world today— responsible in no small part for the sharp rise in antisemitism in recent years—is the rapper Kanye West. He wrote…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m not sure what to do. I went out on a first date last week, and everything was going nicely. Despite the differences in our backgrounds,…

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. Rabbi Sacks’ Focus on Chumash Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, whose fifth yahrtzeit was this past week, focused much of his teachings on the Chumash, the Five Books of Moses. His…

Parashat Hayeh-Sara tells of Avraham Avinu’s efforts to purchase Me’arat Hamachpelah– the Machpeila Cave in Hevron, where he wished to bury his wife, Sara, who had just passed away. The…

What’s the status of a pareve soup cooked in a pareve bowl in a Fleishig microwave? It’s still pareve but cannot be eaten together with milk. For example, if someone…

The Torah in Parashat Vayera tells the story of the destruction of Sedom, a wicked city which G-d condemned to annihilation. Before destroying the city, G-d sent two angels to…

My daughter’s friend, Rena, shared a personal story that speaks volumes. Rena’s days are hectic, being a devoted mom to a growing family, while at the same time having 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….

Just before Rosh Hashana an email arrived without a name: just a cry, an anonymous letter addressed not to me, but to G-d. “You have hurt me. You have abused…

The current events surrounding the New York elections signify something deeply concerning. Behind the curtain of the candidates running for office lies a global movement of antisemitism that is now…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, I started dating a guy from across the country on zoom and everything was going well for the first 2 months. We got along well, and…

While preparing a dish for cooking, one is often unsure if he has to check the eggs for blood spots. In addition, companies receive eggs in various forms and the…

In the first part of this essay, we saw that Judaism has long wrestled with the ethics of publishing and the dangers of unreliable or misleading content. The halakhic tradition…

INGREDIENTS: Quarter Cup Butter Quarter Cup Flour 1 chopped onion 2 cups half-and-half 6 cups vegetable stock 3 pounds chopped broccoli 8 ounce bag shredded carrots 8 ounce bag of…

And the men got up from there, and they looked down upon the face of Sodom, and Avraham walked with them to send them off. Bereishis 18:16 A fascinating kuntrus…

Avraham’s nisayon was even more impressive than you remember! Parshas Vayeira contains one of the most challenging episodes in Jewish history: Akeidas Yitzchak. While even the thought of facing such…

Parashat Vayera tells us the story of Lot, Avraham Avinu’s nephew, who was living in Sedom, a city of very wicked people, and which Hashem condemned to annihilation. Hashem saved…

The Relationship Between Avraham and the Esrog Tree At the beginning of Parshas Vayeira, Avraham looked up and noticed three people standing on the road. Avraham ran to greet them….

Last Monday, the very significant yet little known days called BHA”B ended. In two locations (Masechtos Kiddushin [81a] and Bava Kama [82a]), Tosefos mentions the minhag of fasting on the…

In this week’s parashah, the Torah elaborates on the story of Yishmael, how he almost died from thirst, and Hashem accepted his tefillos and saved him (see 21:15 19). Several…

A Chassid related the following story: The loyalty of Russian soldiers to the Czar was legendary. I once saw a Russian soldier being whipped. His crime? While standing watch on…

Voice notes are an incredibly convenient way to communicate a short thought, a quick question, or a brief response. They are not meant, however, for long expositions, deep thoughts or…

Last week, a Jewish reporter at a White House briefing posed an intriguing question to the press secretary: “Since President Trump will be remembered for generations as the greatest leader…

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, 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…

Looking around the shul during chazaras hashatz, we can see people learning Torah or simply not paying attention. Sometimes we have no idea where the shaliach tzibbur is up to….

Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become a part of daily life, influencing the information we consume and the decisions we make. And the process is just starting. This places significant…

Parashat Lech-Lecha begins with Hashem speaking to Avraham Avinu and commanding, Lech Lecha – to go forth from his homeland, and journey to an unknown place, which, of course, turned…

In enumerating those who a c c o m p a n i e d Avram on his journey from Charan, the Torah mentions that he took his wife Sarai,…

Every morning at the end of our Birchas HaShachar, we petition Hashem, “Us’neinu hayom uv’chol yom l’chein, ul’chesed, ul’rachamim b’Einecha… – Grant us today and every day that we find…

INGREDIENTS: 2 pounds thinly sliced chicken cutlets 1/2 cup flour Salt and pepper to taste 2 pints cherry tomatoes 3 to 4 cloves of garlic, minced 1/4 cup sliced Kalamata…

Hashem told Avram to go El Ha’aretz Asher Arecha, “To the land that I will show you.” The Baal HaTurim writes that arecha is gematriya 222, the same as b’ananim,…

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…

And your name will no longer be called Avram, and your name will be Avraham for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. Bereishis 17:5 The…

Breakups are never easy This week’s parsha tells the story of Avraham and his nephew, Lot. For many years, the two had lived together in harmony, until a bitter fight…

We read in Parashat Lech-Lecha of Hagar, an Egyptian woman who become the maidservant of Sara Imenu. The Midrash teaches that Hagar was actually a princess, Pharaoh’s daughter, and Pharaoh…

Now that all the living hostages are home, we are learning more and more about their amazing inner strength, and their powerful spirit. My zeide, HaRav Avraham Jungreis zt”l, used…

Last week, on Shemini Atzeres, Rabbi Moshe Hauer was niftar suddenly at his home in Baltimore from a heart attack. He was 60 years old. Rabbi Moshe Elefant is the…

Going into Shemini Atzeres this year, people were filled with joy as live hostages were finally released. Outside of Hakadosh Baruch Hu, there are many to thank for making this…

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…

Although we do not usually bathe or take showers on Shabbos, this topic is discussed in halachah and has modern applications. What is the prohibition of bathing? Is it ever…

On Shemini Atzeres of 5786, the Jewish world lost Rabbi Moshe Hauer zt”l, one of the wisest and most quietly pious people I have ever had the privilege of knowing….

The Zohar tells of a conversation that took place between Noach and Hashem after the flood. Noach turned to Hashem and asked, “I thought You were a merciful, benevolent G-d….

The name Noach was introduced and explained in last week’s parsha [Bereishis 5:28-29]. “And (Lemech) called the name (of his son) Noach saying: This one will comfort us from our…

The tragic demise of mankind during the era of the flood was not just a punishment for that wicked generation. Even more so, it was perhaps a series of powerful…

The Tiferes Shlomo (Rosh Hashanah) writes that in the future, we will discover the goodness that was concealed in the galus, and the hint is (Tehillim 96:11) Yism’chu Hashamayim V’tagel…

RAINBOW SPRINKLE COOKIES 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…

“Tzohar Ta’aseh La’teivah” Make a tzohar for the ark. Rashi “Yesh Omrim Chalon” There are those who say it is a window. Bereishis 6:16 Many wonderful shuls are blessed to…

How can we “extend a hand” even when we are frustrated? After the conclusion of the Flood, Noach needed a way to determine how far the waters had receded. Enter…

Parashat Noach tells the famous story of Noach, the lone righteous person in a corrupt, sinful generation, and who was thus saved by the flood which G-d brought upon the…

Back to Bereishis. Last Shabbos, we rolled the Sefer Torah to the very beginning. We began a new cycle of weekly Torah readings. The Midrash teaches, Shivim panim laTorah, there…

As the flood waters recede, Noach opens the window of the ark and sends out the raven, which “kept going and returning until the waters dried from upon the earth.”…

Coming off a joyous Simchas Torah, the excitement of the Yom Tov heightened with gratitude for the return of the twenty living hostages, I turned on my phone after Havdalah,…

This week’s Torah portion takes us to the first communist regime in history, revealing how such systems gradually, and with great cunning, take shape. The story unfolds some time after…

And G-d made the beasts of the earth according to their kind and the cattle according to their kind, and all the creeping things of the ground according to their…

First things first Parshas Bereishis is all about the beginnings: First creation, first light, first day, first person, first commandment, and of course, first sin. After blessing mankind to be…

At a black-tie affair, all the guests are wearing tuxedos or expensive gowns. They all look pretty much the same. But there are two groups of people at this affair….

The pasuk in Parshas Ha’azinu says, “Remember bygone days; understand the years of each generation; ask your father and he will tell you, your grandfather and he will say it…

As we approach the joyous festival of sukkos, we reflect back at the long, hard period of Elul and the High Holy Days. We put in a lot of effort…

The Gemara tells us that after one’s demise, he will be asked, “Did you wait for the salvation (for Moshiach)?” The Imrei Emes of Gur zt’l said that the question…

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…

The Gemara in Masechet Sukka (11b) brings two views as to whether the Misva of Sukka commemorates “Sukkot Mamash” – the actual huts in which our ancestors dwelled during the…

It was Rosh HaShana night, and our family was enjoying sweet apples and honey. The conversation around the table turned to why apples from all the fruits. Though there are…

ONE POT LEMON CHICKEN WITH ORZO INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs pargiot diced salt, pepper, onion, garlic and paprika Olive Oil 1 cup orzo 2 cups chicken broth juice of one lemon…

The Blind Golfer Charlie Boswell was a great athlete who became blind during World War II while rescuing his friend from a tank that was under fire. When he returned…

Israeli war hero and statesman Moshe Dayan was once stopped for speeding by a military policeman. Dayan protested: “I only have one eye. What do you want me to watch—the…

A person is permitted to go on outings during Sukkot and to eat outside the sukkah when necessary for refreshment or for the sake of Shalom Bayit. The Gemara (Sukkah…

Someone suggested to me that I should write to the two of you. Although, I’m not sure what my questions are. I started seeing a girl only two weeks ago…but…

The subject of whether one should sit in the sukkah on Shemini Atzeres has been the topic of debate and discussion since time immemorial. There are many who have the…

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,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

“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…

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…

Dear Rabbi and Shira, Thank you for your weekly column in the Jewish Vues, I enjoy reading it with my family. I’d like your help on a problem that I’m…

As we approach the Yom Tov of Yom Kippur, thoughts of the day’s significance occupy our minds. At the same time, we’re also concerned about how we will make it…

I. Teshuvah and Nineveh C o n v e n t i o n a l wisdom has it that the book of Yonah is about the power of teshuvah,…

Lehman Brothers was one of the most powerful financial institutions in the world until it filed for bankruptcy and folded during the crisis of 2008. The story goes that the…

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…

One of the most urgent segments of our Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur liturgy is the proclamation we say with great feeling, “Us’shuvah us’filah u’tzedakah ma- avirin es ro-ah hagizeirah…

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…

As we find ourselves deep in the heart of Elul—the month of reflection, preparation, and return—Ashkenazic communities around the world are preparing to begin Selichos this coming Motzei Shabbos. A…

On both Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, we recite Unesaneh Tokef, one of the most stirring and heartrending tefillos. We live in a time where every line feels not like…

“Coronation Night” – that is how one of the great spiritual masters would define the night of Rosh Hashanah. In a 1974 sermon, Rabbi Yosef Dov Soleveitchik (1903-1993), one of…

A little over a year ago, I got an ice bath and I am proud to say I hardly miss a day of spending three minutes immersed in 45-degree water….

There are various aspects to the relationship we share with Hashem: at times it is compared to that of a child and father, at other times to a servant and…

Dear Rabbi and Shira I’m engaged to a great young woman. We connect well, have similar life goals, and are excited to get married and spend the rest of our…

The Custom of Tashlich We all know that when it comes to Rosh Hashanah there is a custom to go to tashlich and say tefillos there. Those who don’t go…

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,…

Many rabbis use the High Holiday sermons as an opportunity to showcase their talents and to showcase crucial ideas and themes. Considering the large crowd, rabbis may spend months preparing…

POMEGRANATE BRAISED SHORT RIBS INGREDIENTS: 5 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided 4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs, cut into 3-inch pieces (8 to 12) Salt and pepper 1 large yellow onion,…

The assassination of Charlie Kirk has hit the Jewish world in a very real way. I think there are two reasons why. The first reason is the incredible man he…

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 Haftorah for the first day of Rosh Hashana is the story of Chana (Shmuel I Chapter 1). Chana was barren for so many years. Finally, she goes up to…

As we approach Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgement, I want to share with my dear readers some last minute strategies that I believe can make a very significant difference…

On Rosh Hashanah night, we eat simanim, such as an apple dipped in honey, among other simanim. The origin of this custom is the Gemara (Krisus 6), which states, symbolic…

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 Torah never directly commands sounding the Shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Instead, it tells us, in Parashat Emor (Vayikra 23:24), that we must observe the first of Tishri as a…

The parsha opens with the mitzvah of bringing bikkurim, the first fruits of the seven species of Eretz Yisrael. A farmer brings them to the Beit HaMikdash in a basket,…

I’m engaged to wonderful woman, who shares the same values as I do, is caring, kind, and sensitive. We had a great vort, but as we begin talking about the…

We all are familiar with the custom of reciting Selichos from before Rosh Hashanah until Erev Yom Kippur (and some communities even from Rosh Chodesh Elul). The question arises each…

This year, many people are going to try to learn lessons about how to do teshuvah from artificial intelligence (AI). I am going to go in the other direction and…

Parashat Ki-Tavo begins with the mitzvah of bikkurim – the requirement that a farmer bring the first of his fruits that ripen each year to the Bet Ha’mikdash, and present…

In the middle of the terrible string of curses in this week’s parsha, the pasuk says, “Because you did not serve Hashem, your G-d, with gladness and with goodness of…

FALL OFF THE BONE BEEF BACK RIBS INGREDIENTS: 4 to 5 pounds of beef back ribs For the dry rub 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder,…

In the tochechah, the curses in this week’s parsha of Ki Savo, there is a fascinating pasuk. “Yisa Hashem alecha goy mei’rachok mik’tzeh ha’aretz ka’asher yideh hanasher – Hashem will…

A poor couple received a letter from the king. The letter informed them that the king would visit their home in thirty days. The couple was very excited and honored…