Dear Rabbi and Shira, I am responding to the lovely girl who was upset that she was not getting any dates due to the mothers of the boys who rejected…
Hashem commanded Noach in Bereishis 6:22 to bring all types of food into the Teiva for you (Noach and family) and them (all animals) to eat. The Gemara in Berachos…
In Parashat Noach, we are introduced to the rainbow. HaKadosh Barukh Hu promises that He will never destroy the world again and uses a rainbow as a reminder of this…
HENRY KISSINGER’S SUIT There is the 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…
Recently, with the help of Hashem, I’ve was asked to film shiurim on the remarkable series of learning known as Chok l’Yisroel, or more simply, the Chok. This is a…
After the mabul, Hakadosh Baruch Hu entered into a bris with mankind that He would never again destroy the entire world via a flood. The rainbow was chosen to symbolize…
A month ago, I had a very uncomfortable and sad conversation, at least it started that way. Someone I consider a close friend had distanced himself and I called to…
We find in Humash two different structures that G-d commanded to build: Noah’s ark, and the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the wilderness. Rav Yitzchak Hutner (1906-1980) noted that there is a…
Humanity is constantly searching for a better tomorrow. Dissatisfied with our current reality, we endlessly dream of a better world without hardships and sadness. This hope for a better world…
I. Lashon Ha-Ra With Legs The idea that derogatory speech can go viral — a post, video or message can be forwarded thousands of times — should more than ever…
INGREDIENTS: Poppy seed Dressing: 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1/4 cup sugar 1 garlic clove 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons light…
Full Name: Clayton Edward Kershaw Born: Dallas, Texas on March 19, 1988 Height & Weight: 6-3, 215 Nickname: Kersh or the Claw Hobbies/Interests: I enjoy playing Ping Pong Player you…
And G-d said, “Let us make man in our image, after our l i k e n e s s … ” (Bereshit 1:26) When the Torah describes the steps…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I am so frustrated with the shidduch system . Why are the guy’s moms in charge of who I marry? Every time I am redt to…
Chumash Bereishis is also known as Sefer HaYashar – the Book of the Upright. This is because one of the primary aims of studying it is to learn from the…
Creation This week we study about Creation. What is the purpose of Creation? We look at the world and see wonders all around. But what is the purpose of it…
Is there such a thing as a mezonos bagel? The OU as a matter of policy does not believe that there is such a thing. Rabbi Belskey zt”l was very…
Rabbi David Fohrman is the Dean and founder of Aleph Beta and scholar for the Hoffberger Foundation for Torah Study. He lectures internationally on Biblical themes. Rabbi Fohrman grew up…
FAST FACTS Name: Edward Charles “Whitey” Ford Nick Name: The Chairman of the Board Position: Pitcher Born: October 21, 1928 in New York City, New York Died: October 8, 2020…
WHO’S LISTENING? “How is married life?” David asks his old buddy Abe. “It’s quite simple,” Abe responds. “When we got engaged, I did most of the talking and she did…
The Torah tells us that man was created b’zelem elokim. The Rambam (in Moreh Nevuchim) points out that this clearly cannot mean that man has the same physical features as…
Mark Twain once said: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” Nobel prize winner Dr. Daniel…
The Torah in Bereishis 1:31 says that it was evening and then it was morning, the sixth day. This is the only day where the Torah adds the prefix heh to the number of the day. The Medrash Rabba…
The first verse of the Torah tells us that God created the world “Bereishit,” which we generally interpret to mean “in the beginning.” Rashi, however, comments that the letter “Bet”…
The creation of our world is described in the Torah as a flurry of activity. Rapidly, across a short span of six days, the Universe as we know it, is…
I. Spilling Wine Rav Moshe Isserles (Rema, 17th cen, Poland; Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim 396:1) records a custom to spill Havdalah wine on the ground. He explains that the basis…
INGREDIENTS: 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter or margarine melted 3/4 cup light brown sugar 2 large…
FAST FACTS: Official Name: Simcha Yoel ben Tzvi Melech Halevi Family: Wife & 3 children Main Yeshiva: Yeshiva Ner Yisroel in Baltimore Currently Lives: Toms River, New Jersey Albums: 4…
The Torah in Devarim 14:2 teaches us that a person must give one tenth of his crops for tzedaka. Chazal learn from the additional word of “kol” that a person…
I am visiting my parents for the first days of Sukkos and my in-laws for the last days. We hung up, in my parent’s Sukkah, decorations that my children made…
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…
The Yom Tov of Succos is upon us. All over the globe, Klal Yisroel sits under the schach and reflects back to over 3000 years ago when Hashem protected us…
The halacha requires that one dwell in the sukkah for the duration of the yom tov in the same way one would live in his own home: eating, sleeping, learning,…
A woman in her seventies had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table she had a near death experience. She had the opportunity…
There is a famous story told of an overworked, underpaid wagon driver who once found himself helplessly lost in a land with no light. He finally met a group of…
Reasons for the Mitzvah of Simchah on Succos Yom Kippur has just passed, and all Yidden are clean from sins. But we are worried and concerned: how will we maintain…
Humans often forget G-d and allow Him to slide out of consciousness. For some, the desires of this world are too powerful and G-d must be sidelined so that these…
Children are off from school and the schools are warning parents to avoid risky situations. Some are in quarantine. Many of the regular Chol Hamoed attractions are closed and those…
Hi! I enjoy reading your column each week and I was wondering if you had any advice for me. I am in my mid twenties with no propsects insights. The…
INGREDIENTS: 1 4–5-pound boneless lamb shoulder Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 2 mandarin oranges or tangerines, unpeeled, thinly sliced into rounds 1 cup brine-cured black…
INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 lbs. chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into 2-inch chunks 1 Tbsp. canola oil 3 medium carrots, sliced diagonally into 1/2-inch pieces 1 medium sweet onion, cut into…
This past Sunday, DJ LeMahieu won his second batting title. LeMahieu is the fourth Yankee to lead the majors in hitting and ninth Yankee to win an AL batting title….
One of the most popular “Fun Question” pages I have ever made was the question, “If you could have three people over to your house, anyone from the beginning of…
Did you hear about Macy’s? After C O V I D – 1 9 caused it to shut its doors for five months, the mega-retailer expected to come back booming….
In Devarim 32:48 the posuk says that Hashem spoke to Moshe in the middle of the day. Rashi quotes the Sifri that discusses that the Torah mentions that it was…
The Talmud tells us (Taanis 30b) that every year on Yom Kippur we commemorate the fact that on that very day, so many years ago, Moshe Rabbeinu came down from…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I am a single 28 year old man. I am the “black sheep of my family.” My family is very Yeshivish and my siblings have all…
What is preferable, to wake up early and recite Selichos before dawn, or to stay up late and recite Selichos after Chatzos (midnight)? Rav Yitzchak Zylberstein (Chashukei Chemed, Yoma 22a)…
The Tune The tefillos of Yom Kippur are sung in special melodies, which have been sung for centuries. The holy sefarim explain that these tunes annul the harsh judgment. As…
INGREDIENTS: 16 ounces wide egg noodles 1/2 stick butter (melted) 16 ounces cottage cheese 16 ounces sour cream 4 large eggs (lightly beaten) 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract 3/4 cup…
Personal success in life is about “stretching”: can we transcend our current confines to achieve even higher ground? In many ways, teshuva is the “greatest stretch”: can we stretch beyond…
September 14th, 2020 will be a major day of significance in the story of the New York Mets baseball franchise. On this date, news broke that the Mets and billionaire…
NO BRAINER A freshman in college started his first day of classes. His Jewish teacher was clearly an atheist, and started the day by saying the following: “Students, is there…
Please forgive me if I don’t send a mass email or group text message or Facebook post asking everyone for mechila. Also forgive me if I see you in the…
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…
In Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim 583 we learn that one should eat various simanim on the night of Rosh Hashana. Upon eating black-eyed peas we say, “Yehi ratzon sheyirbu zechuyoseinu.”…
A few summers ago, my wife, Yocheved and I were in a remarkable s u p e r m a r k e t . The supermarket was larger than…
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,…
There are so many sacred memories that stay with us from the special time that we spend in Yeshiva in Israel. I was privileged to spend one year at Yeshivas…
As we approach the Yom Hadin, I am being asked many questions regarding the Yomim Noraim and Succos so I have drafted some general guidelines for Rabbanim and lay leaders…
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 LAST WISH On Rosh Hashanah night, the Kazaks captured the rabbi, the cantor and the president of the synagogue, and granted them a final wish before they would be…
In parshas Haazinu, the Torah proclaims about Hashem, “HaTzur, tamim pa’alo – The Rock (a metaphor for Hashem Who is solid and stable like a rock), perfect are His ways.”…
The Talmud (Berachos 47b) describes the process of becoming a talmid chochom as consisting of three parts: One must be 1) koroh 2) v’shonah and 3) v’shimeish talmidei chachomin. Koroh…
Just one step Sometimes, taking just one step forward in avodas Hashem will make all the difference. Consider what happens when two people are rushing into an elevator, but one…
This year, we do not blow shofar on the first day of Rosh Hashanah because it is Shabbos. To prevent people from carrying a shofar where there is no eruv…
INGREDIENTS: 5-6 lb brisket 3 medium onions 1 Tbsp vegetable oil 3 cloves of minced garlic salt and pepper to taste 12 oz chili sauce 2 15 oz cans of…
INGREDIENTS: 8 dried figs 1/4 c orange juice 3/4 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 1” sticks 3/4 lb sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1” sticks 1/2 lb parsnips,…
INGREDIENTS: 1 package yellow cake mix 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1 cup applesauce 1 1/3 cups peeled and very finely chopped apples (2 medium) 1 cup…
INGREDIENTS: 8 potatoes peeled and sliced 6-8 Chicken thighs depending on the size –fat cleaned away but skin left on 4 cloves of garlic peeled and halved 4 red onions…
For many women in Israel, where currently, 1.7 million people are living below poverty level, suffering from financial and emotional distress or experiencing medical complications or high-risk pregnancies, the news…
The term “without“ best captures this year’s challenging Rosh Hashanah. Due to health guidelines so many classic features of Rosh Hashanah will be missing this year. Most regrettably, Corona limitations…
The Torah tells us in Devarim 29:9 “All Yidden are standing here before Hashem…” The Medrash says the reason why Parshas Nitzavim was placed right next to the klalos is…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, It’s that time of the year that we leave the five towns and visit my in- laws family in LA. You might think it’s great. I…
Rabbi Yehuda “Yudi” Dukes, the founder and director of JNet, the Jewish Learning Network, has spent nearly half a year in critical condition due to complications from COVID-19. He endured…
This past week, Klal Yisroel lost a Gadol, as we lost our Zaidy. Zaidy started off in Europe, born in the town of Yanova, Poland. At a young age, he…
What is preferable, to wake up early and recite Selichos before dawn, or to stay up late and recite Selichos after Chatzos (midnight)? Rav Yitzchak Zylberstein (Chashukei Chemed, Yoma 22a)…
“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…
The posuk reveals, “V’ra-u chol amei haaretz ki Sheim Hashem nikra alecha v’yaru mimeka – And all of the nations of the world will see that the Name of Hashem…
1. Shuls that must abridge Davening due to Covid-19 May suffice with the primary requirement to blow only 60 shofar blasts and not the final 40 at the end of…
The story is told of a young couple that moved into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor hanging laundry…
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,…
The roshei teivos of לולא†is: ונניע†ה≠ילו†ה≠יל†ונא. The Imrei Chaim zt’l said that the translation of these words “we are to Hashem and our eyes are to Hashem” insinuates the importance…
Many rabbis use the Yom Tovim sermons as an opportunity to showcase their talents and to showcase crucial ideas and themes. Considering the large crowd, rabbis may spend months preparing…
INGREDIENTS: For the Cake: Yellow cake mix 3/4 cup apple cider 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup apple sauce 3 eggs 1 tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 cup cinnamon…
I am tired of the viral anti-Semitic tweets. I am angry for the college kids who tell me that they are bullied when they stand up for Israel and our…
I have to admit it. I completely underestimated Jared Kushner. I thought that Jared Kushner was nothing other than a son-in-law who happened to get lucky and marry the President…
FAST FACTS: Name: Ari Goldwag Name called up to the Torah: Ari Schraga Chaim ben R’ Meir Born: April 8, 1979 Resides in: Ramat Beit Shemesh Children: Moshe Dov, Tziporah,…
Finally, the long-awaited moment has arrived. The book of Devarim forecasts the settlement of Israel, and the ensuing cultural challenges which this younger generation would face. Our specific parsha of…
The Torah tells us in Devarim 26:1,2 that when you enter Eretz Yisroel you should bring the first ripened fruit as a gift to Hashem. This comes right after the…
As we get closer and closer to Rosh Hashanah, the Day of Judgment, we try to prepare ourselves in every possible way. Of course, we engage in the making of…
The significance of this month – the month of Elul – can be understood based on the laws of “Bittul,” whereby a small amount of forbidden food becomes “nullified” when…
The Torah discusses the mitzvah of going to the Beis HaMikdash to proclaim there that you kept all the mitzvos of terumah and maaser etc. At this time, one says,…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I am dating an Instagram influencer. She’s sweet, beautiful, and “geschikt.” It might sound amazing but the problem is my life is not my own anymore….
Name: Louis Linwood Voit Born: February 13, 1991 (age 29 years) in Wildwood, MO Height: 6” 3” Weight: 225 lbs Nickname: Meathead Bats: Right-handed Position: First Base Education: Lafayette High…
INGREDIENTS: 3 lbs chicken wings, cleaned and dried 1/2 cup hoisin sauce 3 Tbsp soy sauce 3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar 2 Tbsp sugar 2 Tbsp ketchup 2 Tbsp minced…
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…
What is preferable, to wake up early and recite Selichos before dawn, or to stay up late and recite Selichos after Chatzos (midnight)? Rav Yitzchak Zylberstein (Chashukei Chemed, Yoma 22a)…
This coming Shabbos, when we read Parshas Ki Savo, we will be fulfilling a double mitzvah: 1) We will be reading the parshas hashavua 2) We will be fulfilling the…
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” When we say one thing and communicate a different message through our…
I. Respect If a student believes that his rabbi has committed a financial wrong against him, can the student call him to a religious court? Perhaps the respect due to…
If a hotshot came in and took over your job, what would he or she immediately be doing differently? In the mid 1960’s, George Leonard conducted research for Look magazine…
Is there such a thing as a mezonos bagel? The OU as a matter of policy does not believe that there is such a thing. Rabbi Belskey zt”l was very…
The Torah tells us in Devarim 22:8 that when you build a new home you should make a “maakeh,” a special gate, for your roof so that you should not…
The official anthology of readings from the works of the Gaon of Vilna is entitled “Even Shleima”. The choice of the title is based on the acronym of the phrase:…
Summer has concluded, schools have “restarted” and the scent of Ellul is in the air- punctuated every morning by the blaring shofar and at night by solemn selichot. Our religious…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I am dating Mr. Popular. He is gregarious, funny, giving and very attentive to everyone’s needs. He is the type of guy that will go out…
TWO PHASES In a military class the professor asked the students, “What is the difference between an engagement and a battle?” No one in the group offered any answer. The…
These days we are dealing with a somersault of emotions. The summer is coming to a close and many of us say we can’t believe it’s already over. We are…
Shortly after my shul, BRS shut down in March, someone said to me, almost half-jokingly, “Imagine if things are still like this for Rosh Hashanah.” I vividly remember dismissing the…
Towards the end of Parashat Ki-Teseh, the Torah presents the Misva of Yibum, which applies when a married man dies without children. His brother is required to marry the widow,…
The parashah begins with the laws regarding wars. We know that the Torah is eternal and applicable in every generation. So how should we read this verse in our generation,…
The 1848 (5608-9) cholera epidemic has become famous in Jewish history because it was the moment when the 37-year old Rav Yisrael Salanter first took on a leadership role. Rav…
INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups watermelon, seeded and diced 1/2 cup water 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon white sugar DIRECTIONS: Blend watermelon, water, honey, lemon…
The Torah in Devarim 17:17 tells us that a king may not marry too many women as they might turn his heart away from Yiddishkeit. Similarly, he may not accumulate…
What bracha do you make on licorice? She’Hakol. It was never mezonos. Those that learned mesechtas brachos learned that any food that has one of the 5 grains is mezonos….
FIRST ANECDOTE: A man goes out with a woman on their first date. For the first three hours he talks only about himself, his history, accomplishments and interests. Finally, he…
The month of Elul is synonymous with teshuva- repentance. It is also a time when we increase our charity as best as we can. Smart people also make a strong…
One Person Serving as the Chazan For Multiple Minyanim for the Same Tefillah This year presents a unique problem for many communities, as there will be many more minyanim on…
I recently encountered an engaged young man, a friend of my son-in-law, and asked him where his kallah is. He responded, “We are not seeing each other today, because you…
The Torah in Parashat Shofetim presents the prohibition against trying to make use of any sort of magical powers: “For these nations whom you will be dispossessing listen to diviners…
It states (20:1) “When you go to war with your enemy and you see horses and chariots, a nation larger than yours, don’t be afraid…” The Rabbeinu Yonah (Shaarei Teshuvah…
The opening verse of Parshat Shoftim depicts the formation of a national and local judicial system. Judges are commanded to maintain impartiality and render truthful and accurate verdicts – “mishpat…
As Elul arrives and Rosh Hashanah approaches, we need to start thinking about teshuvah, about how we can build positively on all the events of tumultuous past year so that…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I was wondering if you could help me. I got engaged to a sweet boy from Florida right before Covid began. As all girls, I had…
DJ LeMahieu landed on the 10-day IL this past Sunday with a sprained left thumb suffered on a swing in Saturday’s win over the Red Sox. The Yankees now have…
INGREDIENTS: 1 bottle Rashi Light White Concord Wine or Moscato 1-liter mango flavored seltzer 2 cups mango nectar 1 diced ripe mango DIRECTIONS: A cool refreshing fruity summer sangria…
The Bama publication, which was established with the bracha of Hagaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, submitted a list of questions to HaRav Chaim from Roshei Yeshivos and marbetzei Torah relating to…
This past Friday we lost one of the greatest minds of our generation. Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz, z”l, best known for his translation of the Talmud Bavli, was niftar last…
The Torah in Devarim 13:17 tells us that in the event there is a whole city that serves avoda zora, all its belongings will be gathered in the middle of…
Parshat Re’eh reviews Jewish dietary laws supplying a sweeping list of banned foods. It catalogues kosher and non-kosher animals, bans the drinking of blood, mentions the prohibition of mixing meat…
Is one permitted to bake his Shabbos challah in the oven at the same time or right after he’s cooking meat? If one is baking them at the same time,…
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…
Imagine, if one was to gather the ultimate anthology, he would go to Rav Shvadron, Zt”l, and ask him to sift through all of his teachings and choose the most…
It is very painful to see that there is missionary activity taking place in Eretz Yisroel. The official Catholic response to the Zionist movement (when it first began) was that…
In 2001, Indra Nooyi was named president of PepsiCo. Five years later, she would be promoted to CEO and, in 2007, she would become chairman of the company as well….
The Torah in Parashat Re’eh speaks of the Misva of giving charity, in several different contexts. One of the intriguing features of this Misva is the unusual repetitive form that…
The Vision from Above Chassidim were once traveling with Rebbe Naftali of Ropshitz zt’l, and before they boarded the wagon, they agreed on a price with the gentile wagon driver….
I. Chazzanim Shlep Rabbinic literature is full of rabbis complaining about chazzanim (cantors) who sing too much, whether to enhance the prayers from their perspective or to show off their…
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…
INGREDIENTS: 5 cucumbers 1 onion 1/3 cup sugar 3/4 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup water Fresh Dill or dill weed Salt to taste DIRECTIONS: Peel cucumbers in alternating strips…
FAST FACTS Name: Jeff McNeil Born: April 8, 1992 in Santa Barbara, California Nickname: Squirrel Drafted: By the New York Mets in the 12th round of the 2013 Major League…
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU HAVE EXPECTATIONS: UNDERSTANDING OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SPOUSE, FRIENDS & HASHEM FAST FACTS: Name: Rabbi Yaron Weisberg Title: Director, The Marriage Initiative Family: 8…
Six events occurred on Tu B’Av, the 15th of Av, making it a festive day in the Jewish calendar. The Mishnah tells us that: “No days were as festive for…
The Torah enumerates the seven minim of Eretz Yisroel in Devarim 8:8. The Gemara in Brachos 41b tells us that when it comes to which fruit comes first regarding brachos…
Birchas HaMazon This week’s parashah discusses the mitzvah of birchas hamazon, as it states “You will eat, be satiated, and bless Hashem your G-d.” The Magid of Mezritz zy’a said…
I. The Hungarian Apostate Are you allowed to say the name of someone wicked or should you avoid saying it? Mishlei (10:7) says, “The memory of the righteous shall be…
“The world breaks everyone, and afterwards some are stronger in the broken places.” — Ernest Hemingway Broken The simple reading of the story (recorded twice in Torah, in Exodus, in…
“Don’t give me an Ayin Hora.” “I’m afraid of an Ayin Hora.” “Bli Ayin Hora.” These are all phrases and expressions we’ve heard, and probably use, very often. But what…
Four times a year we read in the Torah about ma’amad har Sinai: on Shabbos when we lein the parshas of Yisro, V’eschanan, and Eikev, and on Shavuos. According to…
Five conversations that should take place over the course of dating and even within marriage itself. What are the critical things to look for in dating to determine if someone…
Recounting the sad episode of the egel disaster, Moshe reminds the Jews that they are a people of “keshei oref”- which literally translates as a stiff-necked people. This term, is…
What bracha do you make on gluten free products? Gluten free products, by definition, don’t have flour in them. Because they don’t have flour, they are not mezonos or hamotzi….
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi! I was wondering if you could help me with this issue. I am engaged to a wonderful girl I met over a year ago. Everything…
Aaron Judge homered for the fifth consecutive game Sunday, becoming the first New York Yankees player in 13 years to accomplish the feat. The big slugger connected off left-handed reliever…
INGREDIENTS: 4 tablespoons unsalted margarine 1 heaping cup chopped shallots or sweet onion 6 cups chicken broth 6 ears fresh corn 1-1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste 1/2…
Tisha B’Av commemorates the burning of both the first and second Batei Mikdosh. In addition, many other tragedies throughout our history have occurred on this day. In order to assist…
One of the most popular “Fun Question ” pages I have ever made was the question, “If you could have three people over to your house, anyone from the beginning…
Last Wednesday July 22nd, Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av was the 20th yahrtzeit of the Bobover Rebbe, Rav Shlomo Halberstam (1908-2000), son of Rav Benzion, grandson of Rav Shlomo, founder of…
We are told to teach our children, “Veshinantam levanecha,” in Devarim 6:7. The Gemara in Kiddushin 30b tells us that Rav Safra said in the name of Reb Yehoshua ben…
Q. The Mishnah Berurah (O.C. 554:41) rules that saying “Tzafra Tova” “Good Morning” is prohibited on Tisha B’Av, just as greeting one’s friend is by saying “Shalom Aleichem” (Mechaber 554:20)….
The tenth and final of the Ten Commandments recorded in this week’s portion (Vaeschanan) reads: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; you shall not covet your neighbor’s house, nor…
As we take leave of Tisha b’Av, we joyfully once again enjoy barbeque while happily listening to music. We once again can look forward to getting into the refreshing swimming…
The aseres ha’dibros were engraved by Hakodosh Boruch Hu on two tablets of stone. These two tablets are referred to as the shnei luchos ha’bris – the two stones of…
There is a good chance at various points in the hours before you read this, you have engaged in lots of judgment. You may have judged how someone looks or…
Parshat Vaet’hanan recounts the event of Matan Torah, when G-d revealed Himself to our ancestors and gave Moshe the Torah to bring to us. The Talmud famously tells of Moshe’s…
There was a bachur who was having difficulty controlling his anger, so he asked the mashgiach of his yeshiva for counsel. The mashgiach told him the following mashal: A band…
Most mitzvoth mandate our behavior – which actions are obligated and which are banned. The second more challenging set of mitzvoth regulate our thought and our belief system: which ideas…
I. The Happiness of Tisha B’Av Tisha B’Av contains contradictory themes that, when considered, completely changes our perspective about this day. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 659:4) says that we…
Dear Rabbi and shira, I made it to the finish line. When I reached the age of 19 I hit the ground running, looking for a partner to share my…
New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom was named the National League Cy Young Award winner last year, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes. He became the seventh NL pitcher to…
INGREDIENTS: 8 medium to large carrots peeled and cut into large chunks. 4 -6 sweet potatoes peeled and cut into three to four pieces each. 1 bunch celery diced 4…
AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE ROSH YESHIVA RAV REUVEN FEINSTEIN SHLITA It was a beautiful, sunny day, the perfect day to visit Camp Yeshiva of Staten Island, right down the…
Q. I have almost finished learning a Masechta (volume of Talmud). May I slow down (i.e., learn other topics or in greater depth), so that I will be able to…
A rich person wanted to divorce his wife. The wife was really a great person and did not deserve to be divorced. The rich person came to his Rabbi and…
CRASH LANDING An airliner was having engine trouble, and the pilot instructed the cabin crew to have the passengers take their seats and get prepared for an emergency landing. A…
In Masechtas Nedarim [81a], the Gemora cites a verse in Yirmiyah [9:11], “Mi ha-ish hechacham v’yavein es zos… al ma avda haaretz – Who is the man who is wise…
Haircuts and Music During the 3 Weeks This Year The period of mourning beginning on Shiva Asar B’Tamuz (The Three Weeks), is patterned off of the classical laws of Avelius…
The older I get the more I have come to believe that people can essentially be divided into two categories: connectors and dividers. Connectors look for commonalities, dividers focus on…
In Parashat Debarim Moshe recalls the battle Beneh Yisrael waged against the powerful kings Sihon and Og, which resulted in Beneh Yisrael’s conquest of these kingdoms’ territory. He then relates…
Had the people living in the era of the churban prayed and beseeched Hashem that the churban and the exile shouldn’t come to be, their prayers would have been answered…
It is that “time” again. The entire world is mired in an international health crisis which doesn’t distinguish between Jew and non-Jew- the virus impacts and infects everyone alike. Not…
I. Don’t Disagree The mourning practices of Tisha B’Av include a prohibition on learning Torah, an activity that naturally leads to joy. Some authorities forbid learning Torah on the afternoon…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I love your column. Thanks for writing it! Up until now, I’ve been trying to meet someone the “old fashioned way.” I’d meet people at events,…
INGREDIENTS: 1 (10 ounce) package spinach, rinsed and chopped 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1/2 cup butter, melted 1…
INGREDIENTS: 3 large zucchini 1 16 ounce container low-fat ricotta cheese 1 jar of marinara sauce 1 cup of shredded cheese 1 egg 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese Salt, pepper…
WHAT COCA COLA FREESTYLE MACHINE FLAVORS ARE KOSHER? Coca Cola Freestyle Machines enable the consumer to mix a variety of soft drink flavors to his/her own personal choice. All flavors…
At the very end of Chumash Bamidbar the Torah relates that the leaders of shevet Menashe came to Moshe Rabbeinu with the following problem: because Tzlafchad had no sons his…
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…
The Torah in Parashat Maseh briefly mentions the death of Aharon Ha’kohen, noting that he passed away on Rosh Hodesh Ab – a day which always falls around the time…
In Bamidbar 31:23 the posuk teaches us that every vessel that was used with fire shall be koshered with fire and every vessel used with hot water requires to be…
Pastures of love The Old Man Arnold had reached the age of 105 and suddenly stopped going to synagogue. Worried by Arnold’s absence after so many years of faithful attendance,…
We are now in the middle of the period called Bein Hametzarim, known more commonly as the Three Weeks. As a nation, we mourn the destruction of our two holy…
People think that what happens to them is the result of their travels. They say that since they traveled to such-and-such, and met with so-and-so, this and that happened to…
It never ends!! If it’s not one thing, it’s another. At the tail end of his life, having weathered forty years of complaints, rebellions, and near-disasters, Moshe had every reason…
I. HOW MUCH CHARITY? The Torah obligates every Jew to give charity of at least one-third of a shekel (less than $10) a year and optimally a tenth or fifth…
Dear Rabbi and Shira 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…
INGREDIENTS: 3 tablespoons butter 1 small onion, peeled and thinly sliced 4 large garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup parve chicken consume soup (mix a tablespoon of…
Catskills Hatzalah is the largest all-volunteer Ambulance Service in the Catskills, providing premium quality prehospital emergency medical treatment and ambulance transport at no cost to all who need it. Catskills…
Rabbi Naftali Halberstam, the Rebbe of Sanz in Borough Park, was nifar this past Shabbos night. He was 96, and likely the oldest Rebbe in the world. His mother was…
IN SEARCH FOR A SUCCESSOR Miriam has died. So has Aaron. G-d tells Moses that his turn is about to come. “Go up this mountain in the Abarim range and…
In Parshas Pinchas we read about the institution of semicha. Moshe Rabbeinu was instructed by H a k a d o s h Boruch Hu to place his hand on…
Moshe Rabbeinu proposed an elaborate test using incense to determine who was in the right in the quarrel of Korach and his followers. An interesting question is posed. Since the…
In Bamidbar 28:10 the posuk teaches us that every Shabbos had its Korban Olah. The Gemara in Sukka 41b asks why is the mitzvah of taking a lulav pushed off…
Greatness isn’t measured by the applause of the crowds. What happens when a major league baseball game is played in an empty stadium? No cheering for the home team, no…
BEIN HAMETZARIM We have reached the Three Weeks, the days that we mourn the churban. As we mourn the churban, we shouldn’t forget to simultaneously aspire for Moshiach. The Gemara…
It seems everywhere we turn these days is anger and rage. Some are angry at those not wearing masks, others outraged mask-wearing is being legislated. There is anger provoked by…
May one eat a salad at non-kosher restaurants while on the road? Rav Belsky, zt”l ruled that one may absolutely not eat a salad at a non-kosher or vegan restaurant….
Parashat Pinhas begins with G-d informing Moshe of the reward that He would grant to Pinhas for his act of zealotry during the incident of Ba’al Pe’or, when the nations…
I. ALL THE KING’S HORSES When you give someone food, it shouldn’t be broken. Sometimes a slice or section of food is considered prepared but generally speaking, in halachah, a…
The primary Hebrew word for inheritance is “yerusha. However, the Torah supplies an additional term for inheritance– the word “nachalah”- and the eighth perek of Bava Batra which begins by…
INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard 1 teaspoon honey (optional) ½ teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 small shallot, very thinly sliced…
The days of care- fully crafted letters are long gone. In this age of hyper-con- nectivity, people receive many emails, voicemails, WhatsApps, comments, notifica- tions and more. Does courtesy require…
FAST FACTS: Name: Rabbi Moshe Hauer Family: Wife: Mindi, children who reside in Baltimore, New York, New Jersey and Jerusalem Lives in: Baltimore, MD Grew up in: Montreal, Canada Education:…
There is a machlokes Ris- honim when the bracha of Borei Pri Hagafen is re- cited at Sheva Brachos. Do we say it as the first bracha, like we currently…
I was barbecuing hamburgers in my backyard and I went inside to prepare some side dishes. I left the hamburgers totally unattended. I then remembered that I’m not supposed to…
From Abstract to Concrete There was a rabbi known for his constant preaching about the need to nurture children with warmth and love. One time he noticed some children who…
Alan Hirsch, the publisher of the Country Vues and the Jewish Vues Magazine, and Ari Hirsch, the associate publisher both asked me to write this urgent article. They have been…
For many years the twenty third Psalm was the most popular among American Christians. It conveys the impression that religion can have a very calming and soothing effect on one’s…
One of the many important national conversations taking place these days involves recognition and awareness of privilege. To some people, privilege is a negative thing and something to be ashamed…
The Torah in Parashat Balak tells the famous story of Bilam’s failed attempts to place a curse on Beneh Yis- rael. Bilam, a non-Jewish prophet, was summoned by Balak, the…
Turn to Hashem Hashem wants us to always be turn- ing to Him for our needs. The Gema- ra (Yoma 76.) states: Students once asked Reb Shimon ben Yochai: “Why…
There are very few command- ments as evoca- tive as parah adumah- the ceremony of the red hefer. This sacrifice is processed and burnt outside the Mikdash, while its ashes…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m dating a really great girl. We started right before Covid- 19 and Baruch Hashem have continued to date despite the challenges that social distancing presented….
INGREDIENTS: •1 lb chicken breasts (2 medium) •1/2 tsp garlic salt or to taste •1/8 tsp black pepper or to taste •2 tsp olive oil 6 cups romaine lettuce •1/2…
How is Sullivan County doing these days? How badly has Corona affected Sullivan County? It was hit quite hard. All of the restaurants and stores were closed. It impacted the…
“They Fell on their Faces” It states in this week’s parasha (16:20-21), Hashem said to Moshe and Aharon”, Separate yourselves from this assembly, and I will destroy them in a…
The posuk in Bamidbar 17:31 says, “As soon as Moshe finished talking to them, the ground opened up and swallowed them.” The kashya is, why didn’t Moshe daven that Korach…
I’m hosting a picnic and some people prefer fish to meat. Can I grill both of them together? The Gemara (Pesachim 76b) teaches that one may not cook fish and…
WISE OR BOORISH? This week’s parsha, Korach, relates the tragic story of the mutiny staged by a man named Korach (Numbers chapter 16), who organized a rebellion against Moses and…
One of the most fundamental missions of a Torah Jew can be found in the Rambam at the end of the Laws of Chanukah. There, he states, “Kol HaTorah kula…
The Talmud (Berachos 8a) refers to the body of the halacha as “the four amos of halacha”. We had a rebbe at Yeshiva who was fond of pointing out that…
The Torah tells us explicitly that Bnei Yisrael were forced to wander in the desert for forty years as a corresponding punishment for the forty days the spies spent in…
Our Sages teach that the divine Name of “Havaya,” which is spelled with the letters “Yod,” “Heh,” “Vav” and “Heh,” is the source of all blessing in the world. These…
During the recent protests society has begun to face important dilemmas regarding monuments which commemorate national heroes whose lifestyles were discrepant with current norms of racial equality. Some monuments celebrate…
I. JEWISH SOVEREIGNTY Israel is currently considering whether to annex land in Judea and Samaria to become part of the sovereign State of Israel. There are many aspects to this…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I don’t know what to do. My younger sister is engaged to one of the first guys she dated and honestly, I’m jealous. We are three…
INGREDIENTS: For the filling 3 pounds assorted stone fruit sliced 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch Juice of lemon For the topping 1 stick margarine 1/2 cup brown…
Usually, when I get a call before speaking at a Chuppah, it is to remind me what to say, whom to acknowledge and remember, the qualities of the chassan and…
The Meraglim Lacked Bitachon The Rebbe of Piazescna zt’l teaches, “When a person doesn’t see any opening or path which seem possible using his sechel and according to the rules…
Despite weeks of advocacy and deliberation with a group of health experts and camp directors, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced today that sleepaway camps will not be allowed to operate this…
Please explain what yoshan is. If someone takes upon him or herself to eat yashan, can they eat in someone’s house that does not keep yashan? The Torah tells us…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m 31 years old and engaged to a wonderful divorcee. We have so much in common and are planning to get married in just a few…
The Torah in Parashat Shelah tells the distressing story of the spies, who were sent to see Eretz Yisrael and then convinced the people that they would be unable to…
While the halacha that a kiddush Hashem b’rabim must take place in the presence of an “edah” is derived from a possuk in Emor (Vayikra 22:32), the definition of the…
INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 cups watermelon, seeded and diced 1/2 cup water 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon white sugar DIRECTIONS: Blend watermelon, water, honey, lemon…
In this week’s parsha, it says “ V ’ y a m u s u h a ’ a n o s h i m motzi’ei dibas HaAretz ra’ah bamageifah…
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…
Protesters around the country are calling to defund the police. This offers us an opportunity to discuss the halachically required funding for police. At the beginning of the State of…
Many, countries around the world have navigated the first phase of the corona crisis, slowly resuming their “routines” after months in quarantine. This shift affords welcome relief, renewed hope and…
The posuk in Bamidbar 15:32,33 says, “While Bnei Yisroel were in the midbar they found a person gathering wood on Shabbos. Moshe and Aaron did not know what to do…
Harav Dovid Trenk, a l e g e n d a r y Mechanech who inspired generations of talmidim, was niftar this week one year ago. Rav Trenk zt”l was…
On June 2, Governor Cuomo announced that New York will allow summer day camps to open as of June 29th. A long list of safety precautions, such as smaller group…
I have not slept well during the last three months. Don’t get me wrong, I fall right asleep, but I don’t wake up well-rested. There is a pit in my…
The posuk in Bamidbar 10:10 says, “On the day of happiness, they should blow the trumpets in the Mishkan.” The Sifri explains this posuk to be referring to Shabbos. The…
An architect, a surgeon, and economist are arguing who of them holds the most prominent position. The surgeon said, ‘Look, we’re the most important. The very first thing G-d did…
Baruch Hashem, I re-opened my shul, the Agudas Yisroel of Staten Island, last Shabbos for the first time in 13 weeks. I said a shehechianu (without using Hashem’s Name) with…
The obligation to offer a korban Pesach begins at twelve noon on erev Pesach, and the korban must be offered in the Beis Hamikdash before shkia. One is considered to…
Parashat Behaalotecha begins with the command concerning the lighting of the Menorah in the Mishkan, and Rashi comments that this command was given in order to “console” Aharon. The previous…
Over the past three months, the corona medical crisis has induced a worldwide upheaval. The social protests in the USA surrounding the death of George Floyd has launched a social…
To our great sadness, the societal shutdown due to Coronavirus also closed yeshivos. The government rightly insisted that all schools cease in-class teaching. Schools transitioned to remote learning for abbreviated…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Ok, so I have never been someone to write on internet forums, the thought of communicating anonymously never really appealed to me. But I am desperate,…
INGREDIENTS: 1 cup uncooked tricolor quinoa 1 large mango 2 kiwis 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges well drained 1 cup fresh blueberries DRESSING 1 large orange – 2 tablespoons…
PROPER PRECEDENCE IN PAYMENTS What are the general parameters for a business, regarding paying employees vs. paying the company’s bills? Does COVID-19 affect the halacha in any way? The general…
Our rabbis taught (Avos 3:18) “Chaviv Adom she’nivra b’tzelem, Beloved is man for he was created in G-d’s image.” R’ Yisroel Lipschitz (Tiferes Yisroel) comments, notice it doesn’t say beloved…
We finally resumed minyanim at BRS this week, albeit outdoors. As I wrote about last week in anticipation, I indeed missed the sanctity of the sanctuary and the comfort of…
THE GOLFERS A rabbi, a teacher, a millionaire, and a narcissist were golfing together. As they walked the course, they came up behind a foursome that was moving very slowly,…
The Rambam (Hilchos M e l a c h i m 1:10) rules that only a king of malchus Beis Dovid has the right to use Yerushalayim as his capital…
The Table is set and history beckons! The Jews are primed to enter the land of Israel, construct a Temple, and usher in utopia for themselves and for all mankind….
The Torah in Parashat Naso outlines the procedure required in the case of a “Sota,” a woman whose husband has reason to suspect her of infidelity. The husband would bring…
Today, in the wake of last week’s death of Mr. George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis and days of protests that have followed, the leadership of…
INGREDIENTS: 2 – 3 ears of corn shucked 2 tbsp olive oil 1 garlic clove minced 1/2 cup finely diced sweet onion 4 cups small-diced zucchini (2 medium zucchini) 1/4…
May one buy cut fruit from a store that does not have a Hechsher? No! We get this question all the time. People are invited all the time to meetings…
The posuk in Bamidbar 6:23 says that Hashem commanded Aharon and his sons to bless the Yidden. The Sefer Metzach Aharon discusses an interesting question. Why did Hashem choose the…
Baruch Hashem, our phones are not ringing every day with levayah announcements and shiva notices. The weekly newspaper does not have whole sections of COVID-19 obituaries. Thankfully, things have slowed…
A grief-stricken testimonial by a lifelong admirer, devotee and friend. This is not meant to be a eulogy. The death of a giant, be it a monarch or master Jewish…
I. TWO TYPES OF RABBIS Rav Mordechai Marcus zt”l was a giant of Torah and midos. He had Shas and Poskim at his fingertips, which he unfailingly accessed with an…
New Yorkers have had enough. A movement of NY small businesses fighting for survival has grown into a pack of thousands of supporters and hundreds of businesses. Now, the group…
It’s necessary to talk to your rabbi, your doctor, and to your children. Until the current global pandemic made the angel of death an all too evident and unwelcome visitor…
What have you missed the most during this terrible time of quarantine and self-isolation? There is a remarkable story that took place toward the end of World War II. An…
All beginning students of Torah face this obstacle: in their original, the primary texts of our Jewish tradition have no punctuation. There are neither commas nor periods in the Torah…
“ Mosquito tone” is a 17 KHz sine wave that teenagers use on their cell phone to alert them when they’ve got a text message so the teachers can’t hear…
To my dear, precious, and sacred Shul: For the last ten weeks I have missed you so. I have longed to be together with our shared friends, united in prayer…
I don’t usually refer to secular quotes but there is a popular saying, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” During this global pandemic, one doesn’t…
A DOCTOR’S ADVICE A woman accompanied her husband to the doctor’s office. Following her husband’s checkup, the doctor called the wife into his office to speak with her privately. He…
In our tefillos we refer to Shavuos as zman mattan Toraseinu. Hashem gave us the Torah as a gift (a mattana). When one gives someone a gift, he no longer…
Twenty five years ago, when my first child was born, I asked Rav Meyer Scheinberg zt”l the following question: If the baby wakes up crying in the middle of the…
Megillat Rut tells the inspiring story of how Rut refused to allow Naomi to return alone to Eretz Yisrael, and insisted on joining her despite her state of impoverishment. After…
The Taz in Orach Chaim 494 writes that we delay davening Maariv on Shavuos night so that the counting of the Omer should be complete. The Magen Avraham 494 says…
Is one allowed to partake in mezonos food after kiddush? There is a fundamental principle of ain Kiddush ‘ela bim’kom seudah – Kiddush may only be made at the site…
Torah is eternal, e n c a p s u l a t e s the word of G-d and, therefore, exists beyond time and place. For this reason, Torah…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I hope you and your family are doing well. I am in my late twenties and was finally dating a woman that I honestly could say…
INGREDIENTS: 2 cups broccoli florets finely chopped 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese 2 large eggs ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives 2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, plus…
INGREDIENTS; CHEESECAKE FILLING: 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup sugar 1 egg 1/4 tsp vanilla BROWNIES: 1/2 cup butter 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1…
INGREDIENS: 1 (9 ounce) package brownie mix 1 egg 1 tablespoon cold water 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped 1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk 2 (8 ounce)…
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 chopped parsley Salt and…
This week is National EMS week. In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation’s communities. This year,…
P a r a s h a t Bamidbar describes the formation in which Benei Yisrael traveled through the wilderness. The Torah emphasizes that Benei Yisrael were to maintain this…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I am really close to getting engaged to a wonderful guy. We have hit a point of contention. We don’t know where to live. I come…
Why do we eat dairy on Shavuos? The Rama on Orach Chaim 494:3 quotes a widespread minhag to eat dairy foods on Shavuos. The Mishnah Berurah (ibid. s.k.12) proffers the…
In the 1970s, ceremonies to renew wedding vows became popular in the US. Typically, these ceremonies are officiated by clergy and consist of a formal or informal ceremony. Some Christian…
The actual state of Israel was established 72 years ago in 1948. However, the modern state of Israel as we know it, was launched in 1967. The six-day war was…
In Bamidbar 4:20 the Torah tells us that the Leviim should not come to see the Kodesh and die. Rashi in Sanhedrin 81b s.v. Kevala says that this is a…
THE DESERT This week’s Torah portion, named “Bamidbar,” which means “in the desert,” is always read preceding the holiday of Shavuos, when we celebrate the giving of the Torah at…
INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup butter 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup cocoa powder 1 tsp vanilla 2 eggs 3/4 cup flour 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips DIRECTIONS:…
In last week’s parsha, we learned all about shmittah. For the diaspora Jew, shmittah has been only a lesson in Torah academics. But, for the religious farmer in Eretz Yisroel…
The Rambam (Hilchos M e l a c h i m 1:10) rules that only a king of malchus Beis Dovid has the right to use Yerushalayim as his capital…
When You & Your Children Look Back, How Will You Remember Them? Last week, we finished streaming an episode of Behind the Bima and I was immediately gratified to receive…
We continue to grapple with the profound impact of COVID-19 on our physical, emotional and financial health. We are heartened by the community’s embrace of the required community mitigation strategies,…
In the modern industrialized world the mitzvah of Shemittah may seem a bit remote with little relevance for our daily urbanized lives. Interestingly, life in Israel has restored the practical…
Every festival has its unique brand of greeting. Before Pesach, we wish one another, “Chag kosher v’same-ach.” On Chanukah, we say a, “Freilichen Chanukah.” For Shabbos, Ashkenazim say, “Gutten Shabbos”…
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…
In Vayikra 25:46 the Torah tells us that an Eved Knani stays an eved forever. The question arises; may a Jew eat from what was cooked by an Eved Knani?…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I love reading your article each week in The Jewish Vues. I hope you and your family are well. I have a problem. Right before Purim,…
As ”stay at home” restrictions begin to loosen in certain places, and within weeks will probably begin to loosen in the New York area also, we need to reimagine what…
THE MORTGAGE “My buyer told me that he lived in the same house for 10 years. When I checked, I found out he’d still be there today if the Governor…
RECITING BERACHOS FOR A SIMCHA (e.g. sheva berachos, bris) over Zoom If a grandfather is participating in the bris milah of his grandson via Zoom, it is permissible for him…
There is an old joke that a man’s version of “shalom bayis” is to turn and wave as he leaves home and say “Shalom, goodbye bayis.” But these days, the…
The Torah in Parashat Behar presents the laws that apply on the Yobel, or the “jubilee” year which was observed every fifty years during the times of the Bet Ha’mikdash….
INGREDIENTS: 1 (9 ounce) package brownie mix 1 egg 1 tablespoon cold water 1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped 1 (5 ounce) can evaporated milk 2 (8 ounce)…
It’s been 50 years since Clyde Frazier and the 1970 Knicks won the NBA title. The iconic team leader took some time to reminisce with Jewish Vues columnist Ephraim Fischbein….
This Lag Ba’Omer, EG Productions is teaming up with music Superstars Yaakov Shwekey, Mordechai Ben David, and Ishay Ribo to benefit Migdal Ohr and the poverty stricken in Eretz Yisrael….
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I recently got engaged to a wonderful person and we set the date of our wedding. The problem is I am now unsure that the date…
In Parashat Emor the Torah commands us not to desecrate the Name of G-d, and in the very same verse it bids us to sanctify G-d’s Name: “You shall not…
Can I drink coffee at a restaurant? It is not possible to make one universal statement about the kashrus of coffee prepared in a non-certified restaurant because each establishment is…
In Vayikra 23:27 the Torah discusses the laws regarding Yom Kippur. If a person eats on Yom Kippur, he is oveir a Lav and is punished with Kareis. On Pesach…
We bentch Gomel (recite the “Gomel” blessing) on being saved from a dangerous situation. How does that apply to Coronavirus? Arguably, everyone in the world is in a potentially life…
Discussing the laws of sacrifices, Parshat Emor enumerates a very limited class of animals which are acceptable for religious ceremonies in the Beit Hamikdash. Animal sacrifices in the Temple were…
While some are counting down to Mother’s Day this Sunday with great excitement and anticipation, many are looking at the calendar with dread and anxiety. For those desperately longing to…
MAKING UP MISSED WEEKS OF KRIAS HATORAH Once Shuls Reopen Due to the Coronavirus crisis we have missed many weeks of Torah reading in shul. There is no requirement to…
During this pandemic we are experiencing a very i n t e r e s t i n g challenge in avodas Hashem, the proper serving of the Almighty. Throughout…
IN THE BEGINNING A man comes to the psychiatrist, shouting that he is in dire need of help. The psychiatrist attempts to calm him down, but to no avail. The…
INGREDIENTS: Chocolate Iced Cake Yellow, Red, & Orange hard candy Rolled wafer cookies As we won’t be having any lag B’Omer gatherings with bon res and activities this year…
Since the start of Covid-19, Hatzolah Air has been very busy helping Klal Yisrael in many different ways. With the amount of people suffering from this disease, Hatzolah Air had…
In Vayikra 19:3 the Torah tells us one has to fear his mother and father. The Gemara Yevamos 5b says one might think that Kibbud Av and Kibbud Eim is…
Dishwashing Detergent Do dishwashing detergents require kosher supervision? It is generally assumed that dishwashing detergents are not edible entities, and halachically they do not have a non-kosher status, even if…
Last week, I proposed keeping a Corona Era diary or log. One of the reasons I suggested this is because it can make us more acutely aware of utilizing the…
DAY 22 CHESED SHEBINETZACH – KINDNESS IN VICTORY A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father if they could discuss the use of the car….
I just returned from the Gush Etzion cemetery having attended a very unusual Yom Hazikaron ceremony. It was a discouraging but also a triumphant experience. Let me explain. My family…
LISTENING TO MUSIC DURING SEFIRA (OR OTHER PERIODS OF MOURNING) TO MAINTAIN MENTAL A HEALTHY STATE OF MIND (2020) In each of the three stages of mourning, Halacha mandates decreasing…
Someone in my Shul growing up loved to say, “I don’t repeat lashon hara… so listen carefully the first time.” While witty, the quip also reflects our tension between simultaneously…
The Torah in Parashat K e d o s h i m (19:17) issues the famous command of “ H o c h e ’ a h Tochi’ah Et Amitecha,”…
Most of us have missed the weekly Torah readings since March 21 (Vayakhel-Pekudei), some even from March 7 (Tetzaveh). When the time comes to return safely to shul, do we…
Mazel Tov! Shehichiyanu V’kiyimanu V’higiyanu L’zman Hazeh! Baruch She’aseh Li Nes B’makom Hazeh! I stare in awe at the bottom of the beige canvas basket. I did it! I can’t…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Thank you so much for your column. I enjoy reading your advice each week. Due to Covid- 19, we both lost our jobs and with little…
INGREDIENTS: 1 box yellow cake mix 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (you can totally leave out if you don’t have or don’t like…
FAST FACTS: Flatbush Shomrim Members: 60 Mission Statement: To work closely with the community and be the eyes and ears of the police department. Year Flatbush Shomrim began: Flatbush Shomrim…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I hope you and your family are well. It’s been 5 weeks since we’ve been sheltering in place. I’m wondering if I should start “dating” online…
We have just c o m p l e t e d the “season of questions.” We have only one day ago bid farewell to a holiday that encourages us…
Parashiyot Tazria and Mesora deal mainly with the laws of Sara’at – a skin disorder resembling leprosy that would befall people on account of certain sins. The Torah outlines the…
Reciting Berachos for a Simcha (e.g. sheva berachos, bris) over Zoom If a grandfather is participating in the bris milah of his grandson via Zoom, it is permissible for him…
In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because…
The Holocaust was a historical rupture- an unprecedented horror so revolting that it doesn’t fit “neatly” into the stream or flow of history. This nightmare must continue to shape our…
I. PESACH, DAVEN AND BENTCHING In the current phase of the C oro n av i r u s pandemic, all shuls around the world are closed and nearly every…
INGREDIENTS: 5 lbs assorted mini potatoes cut in 1/4’s 6 eggs 2-3 stalks celery, diced 3-4 dill pickles, diced 1/2 sweet onion, chopped Salt and pepper to taste Mayonnaise approximately…
Just recently, Governor Mario Cuomo made an ann o u n c e m e n t extending selfdistancing and the closure of much of commerce in New York State…
What bracha do you make on licorice? She’Hakol. It was never mezonos. Those that learned mesechtas brachos learned that any food that has one of the 5 grains is mezonos….
In Meseches Megilla 17b the gemara explains why Chazal were mesaken to ask for refuah in the eighth bracha of shemoneh esrei. Rav Acha explains that since milah, which requires…
This year, Chol Hamoed Pesach is something different than ever before. Due to the Coronavirus, most people are going to be at home. Instead of going to amusements parks, concerts,…
TEVILAS KEILIM WHEN THE MIKVAH IS CLOSED Aside from the mitzvah of performing Tevilas Keilim, there is a prohibition to use metal and glass dishes and utensils prior to their…
In Tur Orach Chaim 430, he explains why the Shabbos before Pesach is called Shabbos Hagadol. A great miracle happened in Mitzrayim. Hashem had commanded the Bnei Yisroel to take…
Dear Readers! First and foremost, I hope that you are healthy, safe and well. Furthermore, I hope that Hashem has given you and your loved ones the ability to shelter…
There are rare and d r a m a t i c m o m e n t s in history in which it becomes clear to humanity that we…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m not sure what to do. It’s been two weeks since I’ve been locked up in a very cramped apartment with my husband of only three…