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…