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Where Is G-d? A couple had two little mischievous boys, ages 8 and 10. They were always getting into trouble, and their parents knew that if any mischief occurred in…
The Gemora calls our ancient sages Sofrim, people who know how to count. This seems to be an odd name for our great men who were endowed with encyclopedic knowledge,…
The time from Pesach to Shavuos is a time of minimizing joy. However, many question arise as to what is included in this, such as what are the reasons for…
The number 4, as we all know, features very prominently at the Pesach seder. There are four cups of wine, four questions, four sons, four pesukim from the Book of…
The Rambam (towards the end of his commentary to Mishnayot Sanhedrin) lists what he considers to be the thirteen principles of our faith, the twelfth of which is to believe…
LIKE There are 7.4 billion people on earth at this moment. When contemplating that staggering number, it is easy to feel insignificant, inconsequential, even invisible. It is only natural to…
Parashat Tazria speaks at length of the laws of the Sara’at skin disease that would descend upon a person as a punishment for Lashon Hara – speaking negatively about other…
Parashas Tazria discusses the laws of childbirth. These laws follow parashas Shmini, which discusses the laws of kashrus. The Ramban explains that this juxtaposition, (of kashrus and childbirth,) hints that…
I. Holy Profits People are motivated to do good for many reasons, among them — but hopefully not primary — is the promise of divine reward. Can that reward be…
In Vayikra 12:3 the posuk tells us that on the 8th day one should have a Bris. Would a Mohel be allowed to walk out of the tchum in order…
In life, before we move forward, we must take inventory. It is true in the business world just as it is true in many areas of life. Without examining and…
Is a Jew Allowed to Eat Synthetic Meat & Then Drink a Dairy Coffee publicly? Right now, we haven’t even finished determining the status of synthetic meat because the technology…
INGREDIENTS: 1.5 – 2lbs ground beef/lamb (you can mix or do either or) 1 cup parsley finely chopped 1 medium onion – finely chopped 1 tsp Baharat (Pereg and Lior…
Rabbi Dr. Zecharia H. Senter zt”l, CEO and founder of Kof-K Kosher Supervision Services, was niftar the last day of Pesach at the age of 84. Rabbi Senter zt”l was…
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…
As we engage in the seasonal mitzvah of counting the sefira, and observe the national period of mourning for the tragic deaths of the 24,000 disciples of Rabbi Akiva, we…
The Gemorah in Berochos states, “when the month of Nissin is upon us, one goes out to recite a beracha on a tree that is starting to bud.” The Shita…
Parashat Shemini tells of the events on the eighth and final day of the Mishkan’s inauguration. For seven days, special sacrifices were offered, and Aharon and his sons – the…
The Gemorah (Moed Koton 14B) understands from the pesukim in parshas Shmini that the kohein gadol does not observe aveilus over the death of a relative. (See Sefer Ginat Egoz,…
We have just completed the “season of questions.” Just a few days ago, we bid farewell to a holiday that encourages us to challenge, to inquire, and to ask. Pesach…
Parashat Shemini tells of the events that took place “on the eighth day” – meaning, the day after the seven-day Miluim process during which Aharon and his sons were prepared…
There’s a limit how much spirituality a man can endure, as it states, “Man cannot see Me and live” (Shemos 33:20). Nadav and Avihu surpassed that limit and their neshamos…
The period between Pesach and Shavuos contains a mourning period–different days depending on one’s custom–during which certain joyous behaviors are forbidden (commonly called Sefirah because this period also includes the…
Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, a leading Chassidic Rabbi was one of the most prominent Rabbinic victims of the Holocaust. A leader of the Warsaw ghetto, he secretly ran a shul…
In Vayikra 9:22 the posuk tells us that Aharon lifted his hands and bentched Klal Yisroel. The Gemara in Sotah 38a says that we learn from the word “Ko“ that…
Are Animal Rights activists onto something? Absolutely! The Torah is very concerned about Tzar Balei Chaim, and we have to be concerned about it as well; we are very sensitive…
INGREDIENTS: 1 cup warm water 1 1/2 Tbsp yeast 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup oil 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 4 cups bread flour 1/2 Tbsp salt DIRECTIONS: The…
FAST FACTS Name: Francisco Miguel Lindor Nickname: Mr. Smile or Paquito Born: November 14, 1993 (age 27) in Caguas, Puerto Rico Height: 5’ 11” Weight: 190 lbs Position: Shortstop Uniform…
Yaakov Shwekey will be busy this Pesach performing both live and virtually! He sat down with Ari Hirsch of the Jewish Vues to discuss what he has been up to,…
Not the Cookie Cutter Model “The Torah speaks of four children: One is wise, one is rebellious, one is simple and one does not know how to ask.”—Haggadah This simple,…
The annual holy narrative of the Pesach Seder is a multi-faceted experience with which we should familiarize ourselves so that we can get the most out of this rarified opportunity….
One of the most interesting customs of the Pesach seder is to “steal the afikoman.” Weeks before Pesach the children plan their afikoman present and where to hide the afikoman….
One of the more intriguing stages of the seder on Pesach is yahatz – when we split the middle matzah. We take the larger piece and put it in a…
I. Berachah Rishonah on Maror Tosfos (Pesachim 115a, s.v. vehadar) raises a basic question regarding the maror eaten at the seder. Why, when we eat maror, do we not recite…
In too many homes, marror is not the most bitter thing at the seder table. There are people who suffer from chronic negativity, who drag down those around them and…
The Torah in Parashat Bo tells of the final three of the ten plagues that G-d brought upon Egypt, including the plague of darkness. The Sages tell us that this…
The Chida zt’l says that we should tell the following story at the Seder: A woman in Tzefas was once plagued by a dibuk. A spirit of a rasha had…
When we prepare for Pesach, we get rid of all of our chametz, either by selling it or destroying it. However, what about chametz in your garbage can? Is that…
The Shulchan Aruch in siman taf peh zayin, seif daled writes that we recite the complete Hallel with a bracha at the beginning and end of the first night of…
What is the status of baby formula on Pesach? Baby formula on Pesach is a very difficult question because almost all formula is kitnios and we Ashkenaz Jews don’t eat…
The Pesach tale is a story of many stories. It is a story about theology and religion: G-d introducing monotheism into an ancient pagan world. It is a story of…
INGREDIENTS: 1 large cabbage, cored and sliced 1 1/4 cups ketchup 4 cups ginger ale 2 lbs chopped meat 1 egg Salt and pepper to taste DIRECTIONS: This recipe…
INGREDIENTS 3 1/4 cups of matza farfel – you can use whole wheat 1/2 cup oil 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup margarine 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup chopped nuts…
INGREDIENTS: 9 eggs – 7 separated. Beat the 7 whites until stiff in a separate bowl. Add the remaining 2 whole eggs and 7 yolks to the rest of the…
Rav Moshe Tuvia Lieff Shlita, the Morah D’Asra of Agudath Israel Bais Binyomin in Brooklyn, New York, is a respected Talmid Chochom and a warm and dynamic individual, loved by…
There is nothing like waking up to a text that says, “Did you see what they posted about you on Instagram?” On the one hand, when you are a public…
INGREDIENTS: 3⁄4 cup oil 3⁄4 cup cocoa 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups potato starch 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 cups powdered sugar, for rolling cookies…
INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon sugar 3 tablespoons mayonnaise This dressing is best served with a simple fresh salad of: Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, colored peppers,…
INGREDIENTS: 1 -3½–4-pound whole chicken Kosher salt 1½ pounds russet potatoes, scrubbed, thinly sliced crosswise 2 tablespoons margarine, melted 1 tablespoon thyme leaves 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided Freshly ground…
Ten Ways to Know He’s Not for Your Daughter Someone sent me this email. Here are the top ten ways to Know the guy your daughter brought home for the…
Maggid Before saying Maggid, many read the following section from the Zohar: “Every person who tells the story of yetzias Mitzrayim, and he is happy with it, will be happy…
There are two reasons why we eat matzah. Actually, there are two OPPOSITE REASONS why we eat matzah: 1) The pasuk, which we quote in the Haggadah, explains that Beneh…
The Midrash observes that in the Torah’s account of the creation of light in Parashat Bereshit, the word “Or” (“light”) appears five times. These five instances of the word “Or,”…
On the seder night we do yahcatz before we begin magid, i.e. we break the middle matza in half, and put away the larger half for the afikoman, before we…
Wow!! It’s hard to believe: Purim has come and gone, and now we are facing a job that doesn’t pass so quickly: the purifying of the home for the Pesach…
It has become trendy to post a picture of yourself receiving a Covid vaccine. This was particularly true in Israel, where people received vaccines earlier than those in America, but…
Weeks before Pesach the newspapers are full of advertisements for romaine lettuce that does not need to be inspected for insects. What is the ideal item to use for marror…
Jewish holidays recount seminal moments of Jewish history. These annual celebrations shape our collective memory just as they animate our common future. The celebration of our history creates eternal meaning…
This year, erev Pesach falls on Shabbos, as it does approximately once every nine years. With proper planning, it need not be a difficult Shabbos. If anything, it gives us…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Thank you so much for your column. I enjoy reading it each week. I have been in the dating parsha for about a year now. My…
In Vayikra 5:23 the posuk teaches us that one should return an item that he or she stole. What happens if a person stole and then paid the money back,…
You can’t make this stuff up. Six of Dr. Seuss’ books “And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street,” “If I Ran the Zoo,” “McElligot’s Pool,” “On Beyond…
In Vayakhel-Pekudai we find an interesting continuation of the construction of the holy vessels and priestly garb from Tetzaveh. It covers the usage of gold, silver, copper, Techeiles (blue-purple wool),…
Parashat Pekudeh begins with a detailed accounting of the precious metals that were donated for the Mishkan, and how were they used. The Torah tells us exactly how much gold,…
One of the most commonly accepted chumros on Pesach is to avoid gebrokts –matzah which was fully baked and then soaked in water. When did this custom start? How binding…
The Inside and the Outside A wealthy Jewish man buys a fabulous home in Beverly Hills, California. He brings in a local workman to decorate the place. When the job…
The Jewish People are known as Yehudim. The word Yehudim means ‘people who give thanks.’ Indeed, this is one of the fundamentals of our Jewish identity: namely that we are…
In this week’s Torah-portions we learn that the Jews constructed the Mishkan and prepared the bigdei kehunah. Although in both cases the Jews followed the directions they had been given,…
Several years ago, on a trip to the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, my children and I joined a small tour. The guide who took us around patiently gave…
In Pirkei Avos (5:20) “Reb Yehudah ben Teima says, ‘Be brazen like a leopard, swift like an eagle, run like a deer, and be strong like a lion to do…
I. Shabbos Clothes We greet Shabbos and spend the entire day clean and proper, dressed in fine clothes. Do we also need to wear fine shoes that we have designated…
In Shmos 38:8 the posuk teaches us that the Kiyor was made out of copper that was originally used by the women as mirrors in Mitzrayim. The Rambam in Hilchos…
What is the origin of the custom of not eating gebrochts (matzah dipped in water)? The Shulchan Aruch (OC 463:3) rules that flour made from roasted wheat kernels may not…
Parashiyot Vayakhel-Pekudeh tell of the construction of the Mishkan, the mobile Sanctuary which Beneh Yisrael carried with them as they traveled through the wilderness. It was later replaced by the…
The wedding date had already been set. Anxiously anticipating this day, the bride and groom shopped for the furniture of their future home. Selecting the actual couches, beds and tables…
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…
INGREDIENTS: 1 large onion, chopped 2 boxes of sliced baby bella mushrooms Oil for sautéing 4 oz goat cheese crumbled 2 eggs 1/2 cup shredded cheese – any kind works…
FAST FACTS: Name: Bnai Israel Matzoh Fund Founder: Alan Hirsch Year Established: 1998 Based Out of: (Originally) Brooklyn, New York Number of Families the Matzoh Fund Provides for: 1,700 Areas…
During Corona the governor was at the peak of his powers, a rising star in the Democratic Party and the most feared figure in the state of New York. Within…
We clean our homes and rid them of all chometz as we prepare to have a simchas Yom Tov. Have we prepared our homes for a safe environment enabling a…
AFIKOMAN For children, it is the highlight of the Passover Seder. Over the years they discovered that because the seder could not be concluded until this final piece of matzah…
For us on the eastern seaboard, it has been quite a cold winter but, Baruch Hashem, Purim was wondrous with it all of its warmth and merriment. Reflecting on one…
We are all familiar with the custom of kitniyos on Pesach, but who does it apply to, what is included in the custom, and what about derivatives or extracts from…
Towards the end of Parshat Ki Tissa, Moshe is told by Hakadosh Baruch Hu that he will be giving him a two-part Torah – part biketav, in writing, and part…
In December of 2018, Yehoshua Zvi Hershkowitz passed away at the age of 92. You probably never heard his name and that is exactly how he wanted it. Mr. Hershkowitz…
Did you ever wonder why Olam HaBa isn’t mentioned in Tanach? The Vilna Gaon zt”l says that this is because for Hashem, Olam HaZeh is even more important. Dovid HaMelech…
I. Thirty Days Before A Holiday Holidays are much like other things in life in the sense that the more you put into it, the more you get out of…
Moshe descending from the mountain, clutching the Divine tablets is one of the most iconic images of the entire Torah. Finally, after close to two thousand and five hundred years,…
Parashat Ki-Tisa begins with the Misva of “Mahasit Ha’shekel” – the mandatory half-shekel tax that was imposed upon all members of Beneh Yisrael. The first time this tax was collected,…
With everything going on this year with covid, is the OU doing anything differently as far as watching over companies? We are very much operational. B”H we have been able…
In Shmos 30:12 the posuk teaches us that when counting the Jewish people, one must count them by collecting a coin from each person and the coins are then counted….
INGREDIENTS: 3⁄4 cup oil 3⁄4 cup cocoa 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 2 cups potato starch 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 cups powdered sugar, for rolling cookies…
This past Thursday, attorney David Schoen, who led the defense of President Trump’s second impeachment hearing, was interviewed by Alan Skorski and Baila Sebrow, hosts of The Definitive Rap Podcast,…
It is hard to believe that this Taanis Esther will already be the 35th yahrzeit of the Rosh Yeshiva, H a G a o n , Rav Moshe Feinstein, Zt”l,…
THE UNIQUENESS OF JEW-HATRED Hatred of the Jew has been universal, permanent and deep. Death for the Jews has been desired and plotted by the tyrants of every age. Pharaoh,…
For some reason, people think that drinking is acceptable at certain times, such as on Simchas Torah, at a Shalom Zochor, at a wedding, and on Purim. Many people become…
The Rabbis of the Talmud have recorded (Shabbos 88a) the tradition that although the Jewish people accepted the Torah at Mt. Sinai out of their own free will, there was,…
While Purim is normally one of the happiest days on our calendar, this year it will mark a sobering milestone. Purim will essentially mark a full year of living through…
The Chasam Sofer (Drushim p.245) writes, “I received from Reb Mendele Lilig zt’l, the Rav of Frankfort, who received the tradition from the בקעי†בש†,that whoever studies Torah between the megillah…
The Pri Megadim 695 says that one has to educate his son in the mitzvah of mishloach manos. It stands to reason that the same obligation would apply to matanos…
I am planning to send a glass plate with cookies for mishloach manos. Can I avoid the need for tevilah by placing the cookies on a doily or foil, such…
We read in the Megilla of how Ahashverosh wanted to repay Mordechai for saving his life, and he summoned Haman to ask him what would be an appropriate way of…
Each name of a Jewish holiday is iconic. The name Pesach evokes the transformative sacrifice which launched our national liberation. The name Chanukah captures the re-dedication of the newly purified…
We like to think that a Kiddush Hashem, a sanctification or glorification of G-d’s name, is perfectly good. It is the ultimate expression of religious virtue. In reality, this is…
Mets ace Jacob deGrom talked to the media for the first time last week from Port St. Lucie. The two-time Cy Young Award winner talked about the Mets busy offseason,…
INGREDIENTS: 4 eggs 1 cup sugar 1⁄2 c oil 3⁄4 c orange juice 1 tsp vanilla 5 cups flour 2 tsp. baking powder Fillings: Apricot, Prune, Raspberry, Chocolate Chip, Cookie…
During the days and weeks before Purim the mail is full of letters requesting matanas l’evyonim. In this issue we will discuss which people one has to give to, how…
“I wouldn’t belong to a club that would have me as a member.” — Groucho Marx “The modern Jewish maxim is Incognito, ergo sum, ‘I am invisible, therefore I am.’”…
Megilas Esther is an exciting repository of contemporary advice. This is revealed to us through Esther’s request to the sages, “Kavuni l’doros – Affix me for all generations.” Although Esther…
The practice is to read Parshas Zachor with a minyan from a kosher Sefer Torah on the Shabbos before Purim. If one is unable to do so, they may read…
Milton Friedman, the great Nobel Prize-winning economist and professor at the University of Chicago, had a very simple suggestion for how to identify a person or institution’s priorities. Many people…
The mazal of the month of Adar is Dagim. The Klausenberger Rebbe zt’l said that this month, which is represented by fish, is a month of happiness, since while lions…
I. No Mention of Adar The Gemara (Ta’anis 29a) famously says that when Adar begins, we increase joy. While this saying is often quoted, standard codes omit it. Rambam (12th…
The Rema 695 says there is a mitzvah to be marbeh in seudas Purim. Any meal a person eats on Purim that is lichvod Purim is included in the above…
Is one permitted to bathe, take a haircut or listen to music on Taanis Esther? The Meiri (Sefer Magen Avos 23) writes that Taanis Esther is different than other communal…
Many commentators noted the unusual phraseology used by G-d in commanding Beneh Yisrael to donate materials to the Mishkan: Ve’yikhu Li Teruma” – literally, “They shall take for Me a…
Amalek attacked us at our most vulnerable moment. Viciously assaulting the newly freed slaves in an empty wilderness, the cruel guerrilla armies of Amalek were out for blood. Valiantly defending…
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: For kreplach dough: 2 cups four Pinch of salt 2 eggs 1 T plus 1 t lukewarm water For the filling: ½ medium onion, chopped 1 lb. beef, chopped…
INGREDIENTS: 2 cups dry red wine 2/3 cups sugar 3 cinnamon sticks 5 wide strips of orange zest ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 4 medium Bosc pears, ripe but firm, peeled,…
To the surprise of almost everyone, the New York Knicks have been competitive the first half of the 2020-21 NBA season. New York hired Tom Thibodeau during the offseason, and…
The Mitzvah One is obligated to send mishloach manos on Purim to his friend etc. This mitzvah was introduced during the time of Mordechai and Esther and is considered a…
I think it’s safe to say that short of a Trump/Biden election, few events excite the collective Jewish community the way A Time for Music unfailingly does. And with good…
When I was young, it was common for synagogues to have large boards with plaques containing the names of the deceased and small light bulbs that were turned on for…
We live in a world dominated by thoughts of the Covid-19 virus, its spread and the mass administration of vaccine. We also have a variety of routine medical tests –…
RAGE THERAPY A man walks into a bar. He calmly orders a drink and proceeds to abruptly pick up his glass and hurl it at the shocked bartender. After a…
When Rav Chaim Shmuelevitz, the great Rosh Yeshiva of the Mir, was a young bachur (student) learning in Grodno, he went to visit to his uncle, the Rosh Yeshiva of…
On Jan. 29, 2021, there was a long article in the New York Times about Rav Chaim Kanievsky and the COVID situation in Eretz Yisroel. I was very saddened to…
Immediately following mattan Torah is parashas Mishpatim. It teaches us judicial laws, how to relate to our fellow man’s property, and to assist the poor, the widows, and the orphans….
We read in Parashat Mishpatim (24:7) of one of the most glorious moments in the history of our nation – the moment when we stood at Mount Sinai and declared…
The past year shook the world. Humanity faced a pandemic, the likes of which only occurs every hundred years. Locked in battle with an invisible but deadly virus, we also…
In Shmos 22:24 the posuk discusses the concept of lending money. The Mechilta writes that whenever the Torah uses the word “im” it is optional, except in this posuk about…
Regarding the custom of Zecher L’Machtzis Hashekel, I have a difficult time finding fifty cent coins. Can I give two quarters, or is there a different way to perform this…
INGREDIENTS: 2 large Spanish onions 3 medium carrots 1 large parsnip 2.5 lb. second-cut brisket Salt 1 cup dry red wine DIRECTIONS: Brisket is a holiday regular in all…
One Friday evening the conversation at the table turned to the Shabbat candles, whose kindling is in itself a beautiful way of ushering in the sacred day of rest. Lighting…
The Rabbinical Council of America, the leading membership organization of orthodox rabbis in North America, mourns the death of Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, zt”l, on a day that saw the…
Klal Yisrael suffered a great loss this past Sunday with the petirah of Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski z”l. Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski zt’l , a prolific author, prominent…
CLIMBING THE HOTEL Bill, Jim and Scott were at a convention together sharing a large suite at the top of a 75-story hotel. After a long day of meetings, they…
There is a wellknown controversy surrounding the chronological timing of when Yisro arrived to visit the Bnei Yisroel in the desert. It revolves around whether he came before Matan Torah,…
Our tradition has it that maamad Har Sinai was really the culmination of Yetzias Mitzrayim. The Mishna (Avos 6:2) comments on the phrase “charus al hlauchos” (Shemos 32:16) that we…
Last week, within the span of just a few days, two individuals both became extraordinarily wealthy in an instant. A Powerball ticket-holder in Maryland won the $731 million jackpot and…
The Torah discusses Moshe’s children, “The name of one [son] was Gershom… and the name of one son was Eliezer…” (18:3-4). It seems that it should have stated “the name…
In the recently published issue of the Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society (no. 75), Rav Avraham Yeshaya Cohen writes about the impact of praying alone (during Coronavirus) on the…
In Parshas Yisro we see the topic of respecting your father and mother so that you merit to live a long life. The Chinuch in Mitzvah 33 says that the…
Q: One of my co-workers brought in a box of chocolate-covered grasshoppers to the office. Many people tried them, but since I keep kosher I begged off, saying that I…
Parashat Yitro tells of Ma’amad Har Sinai, God’s revelation to Am Yisrael at Mount Sinai, during which Moshe Rabbenu ascended to the top of the mountain to receive the Torah….
Two intriguing stories about the eternal impact of Har Sinai– one fable about two engagement rings and one actual story about a Chassidic Rebbe and a cow. First the tale…
INGREDIENTS: 1 lb. ground beef 1 red bell pepper; seeded and chopped 1/2 onion; diced 1- 14oz. can pinto beans 1- 14oz. can kidney beans 1- 14oz. can black beans…
INGREDIENTS: 3 pounds ground beef 1 small onion, grated 3 tablespoons of your favorite bbq sauce 3/4 cup Jason seasoned breadcrumbs 1 egg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1…
FAST FACTS: Name: Howard Jonas Born: June 2, 1956 (64) Family: Wife Debbie, nine children, and twenty four grandchildren (one on the way) Currently Lives In: Riverdale, Bronx Currently Davens…
Graveside funerals, or visits, often generate crowds around a grave, forcing people to search for space to stand. Are you allowed to step on someone else’s grave for a service…
The first Rebbe of Sadegur zt’l said, “…Of course this Shabbos is called Shabbos Shirah, a Shabbos of Song. There are so many miracles and wonderful things in this week’s…
THE HUMAN TREE “The human being is a tree of the field,” the Torah states. In fact, the Jewish calendar reserves one day each year, the “New Year for Trees”…
In Tehillim, Dovid HaMelech declares, “Mi chocham v’yishmar aleh v’yisboninu chasdei Hashem – Who is wise and observes these things and meditates on the kindness of Hashem?” The Hebrew letters…
When Moshe and Aharon are instructed to instigate the plagues, Hashem tells them: ־לֶא†ךְֵלָּתְבַּצִנְו†הָמְיַּמַה†אֵצֹי†הֵּנִה†רֶקֹּבַּב†הֹעְרַּפ†רֹאְיַה†תַפְׂש־לַע†וֹתאָרְקִל†– Go down to Pharaoh in the morning. Behold, he goes out to the water; and you…
In several places the Talmud records discussions and debates amongst the Tanoim regarding the inclusion of various seforim in the canon of the kisvei ha’kodesh. Before deciding which seforim to…
As the ferocious waves of the Red Sea parted, the marine floor was paved dry to welcome the passage of the Jews. Suddenly, the raging waters tumbled down upon the…
In Parshas Beshalach we see the topic of eating seudas Shabbos. We learn about the order of events concerning how the mohn came down on Erev Shabbos for Shabbos. The…
The Torah tells us in the beginning of Parashat Beshalah that at the time when Beneh Yisrael left Egypt, Moshe Rabbenu took the remains of Yosef and brought them with…
There is a custom on Tu B’Shevat to eat fruits, especially those from the seven species with which Eretz Yisroel was blessed. Can you please review the order of the…
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 of his way to…
FAST FACTS Name: Henry Louis Aaron Born: February 5, 1934 in Mobile, Alabama Nicknamed: “Hammerin’ Hank.” MLB debut: April 13, 1954, for the Milwaukee Braves Last MLB appearance: October 3,…
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,…
Ever wondered what hard inquiries are and what soft inquiries are and how they affect your credit score? Hopefully after reading this article, you’ll have a better understanding of this…
FAST FACTS: Name: Yechiel Moshe Ben Avraham Mendel Family: Wife and 6 children. One married, 3 in Eretz Yisrael, one in Baltimore, 9 year old at home. Grew up in:…
I have so much to say about Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer ZT”L. At the times in my life when I was at my lowest, dealing with unimaginable decisions and pain, Rabbi…
Many words have been said and much ink has been spilled since the untimely passing of Moreinu HaRav Yehuda Kelemer. Hespedim, speeches, tributes, newspaper and magazine articles have depicted his…
As the week of shiva has ended for my revered teacher and Rebbe Rav Yehuda Kelemer ל”קוצז†, I have been moved to tears numerous times from the beautiful stories I…
The Power of a single action Wise Old Man A retired man moves near a junior high school. He spends the first few weeks of retirement in peace and quiet….
In bentching, we declare “V’dorshei Hashem lo yachsiru chol tov – Those who seek Hashem will lack from naught that is good.” The occupation of seeking Hashem, being a Dorshei…
The parsha tells us (Shemos 12:38) that when Bnai Yisroel left Mitzrayim a tremendous group of converts left with them. The Midrash explains that this was Moshe Rabbeinu’s original idea;…
I. A Time to Recharge The latest issue of the Journal of Halacha and Contemporary Society (RJJ Journal), under new editorship, is devoted to Coronavirus questions. One article contains short,…
There are two types of mitzvos: obligations that people have to Hashem, and mitzvos to help one’s fellow man. Which type of mitzvah is more important and takes precedence? The…
The Jewish People are suffering through the servitude of Egypt. After being oppressed and persecuted for an extended period of time, they finally receive a message of redemption: Moshe relays…
The Posuk in Shmos 12:17 says one should guard their matzos. Rashi quotes a Mechilta that says don’t read the word “matzos,” but rather read the word “mitzvos.” The same…
Upon hearing Moshe’s warning of the eighth plague, the plague of locusts, which would destroy all the crops in Egypt that survived the plague of hail, Pharaoh expresses a willingness…
Redemption was well under way as the entire country of Egypt had been ravaged by interminable calamities. Once a superpower capable of supporting the entire planet, the Egyptian empire was…
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,…
Two weeks ago the New York Mets acquired All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco from Cleveland on Thursday. The six-player deal sent infielders Amed Rosario and Andrés…
INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1/4 cup honey 1 chicken, cut in 1/8’s Salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, sliced 6…
This is an example of how much Rabbi Kelemer loved each and every Jew. He encouraged us to reach out to others, especially during times which we feel are challenging…
Rabbi Yehuda Lieb Kelemer, zt”l, 74, is credited with leading the West Hempstead, Long Island community to flourish over the past number of decades. Assuming the role of mara d’asra…
Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer He was my rabbi, my teacher, my guide and, for a few minutes many years ago, my brother. With extraordinary knowledge of Torah, a passion for teaching,…
This past erev shabbos , the West Hempstead Community, and Klal Yisroel at large, lost a tremendous Talmid Chochom and Tzaddik, Harav Yehuda Kelemer ZT”L. I would like to share…
My heart is broken, along with thousands of others, at the loss of my morah d’asrah Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer zt”l. I was blessed to grow up in West Hempstead, NY…
So many stories about our Rav Yehuda Kelemer Z”L have been circulating. All with the same themes of his unmatched compassion and sensitivity to us during tremendous times of sorrow…
After watching the funeral of Rav Yehuda Kelemer, zt”l, much of what was said is reflected in my own relationship with him. I am a YU musmach, so often when…
When HaRav Yitzchak Asher Twersky ztl gave a eulogy for Rav Soloveitchik ztl, he began with a Gemara recounting how Rebi told his students, אל תספדוני בעיירות , “do not…
A true giant in every sense of the word a role model, mentor, colleague and dear friend who sincerely cared about every individual like they were his own. His Ahavas…
Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer, the rabbi of the shul in which I grew up, just passed away. I want to tell you a story about Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer zt’l that I…
I feel that I could write a book about Rabbi Kelemer’s greatness. I truly hope that ArtScroll will take up the task. There are so many interactions and impressions that…
I had the zechus of spending significant time with the Rabbi for the last 19 years as one of the community Rabbis in West Hempstead. He welcomed me and our…
I once heard a story from a Menahel of a school outside of West Hempstead that he remembers when growing up, how the kids on the Lower East Side were…
I am very much deeply saddened by the petirah of Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer zt”l. I find it hard to believe that this adam gadol meod is no longer with us….
When Rabbi Kelemer zt’l saw you, he would literally cross the road to greet you. He greeted everyone with a smile and a kind word and made you feel that…
This past Friday, Klal Yisrael lost a true Tzadik. Rav Yehuda Kelemer zt”l, the Rav of the Young Israel of West Hempstead, was niftar at the age of 74. Rabbi…
I. ACCESS TO ERUV MATZAH Many people have their own private eruvin, structures that allow them to carry on Shabbos. They do this with one or more neighbors by ensuring…
Many people wonder why their tefillos should be answered. They know their sins and faults, and it’s hard for them to imagine that Hashem is interested in their tefillah. The…
Let My People Go Three Boys Those three boys are in the schoolyard bragging of how great their fathers are. The first one says: “Well, my father runs the fastest….
While necessary, wearing a mask is miserable. It is difficult to breath comfortably with a mask on and it is even harder to deliver a speech. And yet, those aren’t…
INGREDIENTS: 2 1/2 teaspoons olive oil (or canola oil) 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes (about 1/2 inch) Salt and black pepper 3 tablespoons honey…
In contemporary society, respect for our leaders is almost extinct. We’ve become cynical to the extreme – feeling that our leaders frequently talk out of both sides of their mouths,…
The commentaries on the Chumash find it difficult to understand why the exodus from Egypt had to be accomplished by means of a deception. Moshe Rabbeinu only requested three days…
In the beginning of Parashat Vaera, G-d speaks to Moshe and commands him to convey to Beneh Yisrael His promises of redemption. The first promise is “Ve’hoseti Etchem Mi’tahat Siblot…
A little over a year ago a person consumed a bat and that meal changed the way we view our world. Watching the corona virus crossing over to the human…
The Rambam in Pirush Hamishnayos 5:4 says that the ten miracles were the fact that the Yidden were saved from the ten Makkos. Since every makka was exclusively for the…
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…
FAST FACTS Name: Thomas Charles Lasorda Born: September 22, 1927 in Norristown, Pennsylvania Died: January 7, 2021 (aged 93) in Fullerton, California MLB debut: August 5, 1954, for the Brooklyn…
DEPUTY CHIEF “MENTCH” SCHOLL RETIRES A great friend of the Jewish community in Brooklyn is leaving his position as NYPD Executive Officer of Patrol Boro Brooklyn South. After 41 years…
Irritation, Aggravation, and Misery A boy asks his father to explain the differences between irritation, aggravation, and misery. Dad picks up the phone and dials a number at random. When…
Our thirst for Torah has limits. We treat learning as a sanctified activity and therefore restrain our activities to ensure we use appropriate sources and texts. Are there some Torah…
As we start the second chumash of Sefer Shmos, we study the painful birth of the Jewish people. The Torah introduces this saga with the preface, “V’eila shmos bnei Yisroel…
The Mishna (Pesachim 116a) records the observance of the mitzvah of “sippur yetzias mitzrayim” on the first night of Pesach. “ Arami oveid avi” (normally recited in connection with the…
When most people think of Times Square this time of year, they picture the tremendous New Year’s Eve party usually attended by more than a million people filled with banners,…
The Kli Yakar, in this week’s parsha writes, “The brothers tried with all their might to destroy Yosef and to prevent the realization of his dreams, but all their plans…
In Shmos 2:3 the posuk tells us that Yocheved was not able to hide Moshe any longer so she made a box and placed the child in this makeshift boat…
Q: Minhagim like waiting 6 hours between eating meat & milk. Can they be changed? A: Minhagim should not be changed. Once you start changing family customs, you are on…
When G-d appears to Moshe at the burning bush and instructs him to go to Egypt and inform Beneh Yisrael of their imminent redemption, Moshe voices his concern that the…
Moshe was arguably the greatest man to ever live. He scaled the heavens and split the seas. He liberated a nation of slaves and taught them about a G-d they…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m not sure what to do. I’ve been married for a year and a half. When we dated, I felt like we had better communication, but…
Name: Aaron Charles Rodgers Date of Birth: December 2, 1983 (age 37) in Chico, California Height: 6 ft 2 in Weight: 225 lb School: University of California, Berkeley Salary in…
INGREDIENTS: 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt 3 eggs, plus 1 for the egg wash 2 tablespoons olive oil Ravioli filling of your…
With great pain, we recently heard of two more grandparents attending two different weddings of their grandchildren, contracting Covid 19 and being niftar. I do not know the total count,…
In a major victory for religious freedom, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit today issued a decision in two cases, Agudath Israel of America v. Cuomo…
What’s for Dinner? The main course at the big civic dinner was baked ham with glazed sweet potatoes. Rabbi Cohen regretfully shook his head when the platter was passed to…
At the end of Yakov Avinu’s life, he revealed to Yosef, “Re’o fonecha lo filalti, v’hinei her’ah osi Elokim gam es zarecha – To see your face I had not…
The medrash points out that the bracha which Avraham granted his son Yitzchak revolved around the verb, “natan” (“Vayiten Avraham et kol asher lo leYitzchak”). Therefore, years later when Yitzchak…
Mike Esmond, owner of a construction company in Gulf Breeze, Florida, wrote a check this month for $7,600 to pay off overdue utility balances for 114 residents of his city….
To Atone for the Unkown Rebbe Yitzchok of Vorke said, “People say that Shovavim atones for the infamous sins [of inyanei kedusha]. I say that Shovavim atones for sins that…
I. Special Power of Learning Torah We have not offered the Temple sacrifices in nearly 2,000 years but we continue fulfilling those mitzvos through our ongoing study of their laws….
In Bereishis 47:28 the posuk tells us how long Yaakov lived in Mitzrayim. It tells us he lived for 17 years in Mitzrayim and his total lifetime was 147 years….
Q: Is there a way I can use the toaster oven at work to heat up food? A: If you double wrap your food in silver foil, you may use…
The Torah tells in Parashat Vayechi of the blessings Yaakov bestowed upon his children before his passing. Surprisingly, even before he assembles his sons to bless them, he confers a…
Covid-19 has changed everything. The past year has produced a seismic shift in almost every aspect of our lives and will continue to shape our identity for years to come….
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…
FAST FACTS Name: Philip Henry Niekro Born: April 1, 1939 in Blaine, Ohio Died: December 26, 2020 (aged 81) Nick Name: “Knucksie” MLB debut: April 15, 1964, for the Milwaukee…
INGREDIENTS: 4 skinless boneless chicken thighs (Pargiyot) (approximately 1 pound) 4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce 4 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce 3 cloves garlic minced…
What is the mechanism of action of the COVID vaccines? For how long will they protect? When will we be able to receive the vaccine? What took so long? These…
A fast moving blaze fire destroyed the famed Rav Felder’s shul, Bais Hamedrash Bais Aharon, in Boro Park. The blaze broke out at about 8 a.m. and quickly spread throughout…
The Bais Yosef in Siman 550 brings in the name of the Avudraham that Asarah B’teves is different than all other fast days since if it would have fallen out…
Please tell everyone about the OU’s role in making kosher establishments in the UAE? The OU has been involved in the UAE from when the Jewish community of the UAE…
In disguise There were two beggars sitting side by side on a street in Mexico City. One was dressed like a Christian with a cross in front of him; the…
In the Kisvei Rebbe Yehuda Halevi we find a scary thought. He writes that sometimes Hashem will withhold someone’s livelihood or other needs in order to motivate him to reconnect…
Some sociologists opined that money is an evil of society. The Chazon Ish (Yoreh Deah 72:2) pointed out that halacha does not share that perspective. Rather, even in an ideal…
Recently, plastic surgeons are reporting an unprecedented number of requests for procedures. Though the actual data won’t be available until spring 2021, assuming the anecdotal reporting is accurate, it could…
Parashat Vayigash begins with Yehuda’s impassioned plea to Yosef to allow his youngest brother, Binyamin, to return home to his father. Yosef, who ruled over Egypt – and whom the…
In this week’s parsha, Yaakov Avinu and his family go down to Mitzrayim. The story of the bitter galus begins. The Torah says, “Vayomer Elokim leYisrael bemaros halaylah vayomar Yaakov…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I was dating a guy for 3 months, and I fell hard for him. We had common goals, and enjoyed speaking about all things pre-law. We…
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…
One of the distinctive aspects of Judaism is its emphasis upon Torah study. Unlike other religions in which study is generally relegated for “men of the cloth”, in Judaism the…
FAST FACTS Name: Caris Coleman LeVert Born: August 25, 1994 (age 26) in Columbus, Ohio Height: 6 ft 6 in Position: Small forward /Shooting guard College: Michigan (2012–2016) NBA draft:…
I. Identifying People We use many faculties to observe the goings on about us. When one sense is unavailable, we often use others to compensate. Even if we cannot see…
For one night, over 200 families exchanged hospital bracelets for park bracelets. For a few hours, 1600 patients, parents, and siblings got off their medical roller coasters and onto amusement…
In Bereishis 43:16 Yosef told his servants to slaughter an animal and prepare. The Medrash 92:4 says that the word prepare is referring to Shabbos as the Torah tells us…
Q: What separates an OU hashgacha from other private hashgachas? A: The most significant difference is the OU is a communal non for profit organization. No one owns or has…
It is a riveting story. Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, has two dreams, we learn in this week’s Torah portion, Miketz. In the first, Pharaoh sees himself standing over the…
Our last few parshios have been dealing primarily with the great personality of Yosef. He is one of the few people in the history of the Jewish people who has…
In the Al Hanisim prayer which we recite on Chanukah, we thank Hakodosh Boruch Hu for delivering the “many in the hands of the few”. This refers to the fact…
A husband and wife are getting ready to go to sleep. The wife is ready to close her eyes but her husband is standing and staring at himself in the…
Parashat Miketz begins with Pharaoh’s unusual dreams, and his desperate attempt to find out what they meant. After he was dissatisfied with the interpretations given by his advisors, the Sar…
The Rebbe of Ruzhin zt’l said, “What tzaddikim are able to accomplish on Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, a simple Yid can accomplish on Zos Chanukah.” The explanation may…
The situation has become dire. An elderly father traumatized by the death of his favored son and the imprisonment of another child, refuses to dispatch his youngest child to Egypt….
I. What’s In a Surname? Last names serve to identify an individual with greater specificity. There may be many men named Yosef ben Ya’akov in the marketplace but Yosef ben…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Thanks for writing your column. I wait for it each week. Such great shabbos reading. I have a question. I’ve been dating for the past three…
INGREDIENTS: 3 large eggs 2 cups granulated sugar 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) margarine softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon almond extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt…
FAST FACTS: Name: James Thomas McCann Born: June 13, 1990 (age 30 years), in Santa Barbara, CA Position: Catcher Bats: Right • Throws: Right Height/Weight: 6-3, 220lb Drafted by: the…
FAST FACTS: Name: Rabbi Yoel Gold Family: Wife & four children Grew up in: Williamsburg/Boro Park Currently Lives in: Los Angeles Job Title: Motivational Speaker and Founder of Hashkifa Job…
Hi Rabbi and Shira, I’m looking for advice, I’ve been married for a few years and I feel stuck. I don’t think I’ve been the best of husbands to my…
The Gemara in Shabbos daf chof bais amud alef says, “The Halacha states one should light the menorah on the left side with the mezuzah on the right.” The Shulchan…
HALLEL: The Chochmas Shlomo teaches that if someone in jail is given the choice of either lighting the Chanukah candles in prison or to leave the jail for a day…
Many people know of my proud affiliation with the outreach organization Oorah. Since its inception in the 1970s, I’ve had, in a very humble way, a connection to the holy…
The Judah-Tamar Drama It is a fascinating story: Judah has three sons, Er, Onan and Shalah. His oldest son, Er, married a woman named Tamar, but died prematurely, without children….
The gemara (Shabbos 21b) tells us that the proper place to put the Chanukah lights is in front of one’s home, so that all the passers-by will notice the lights,…
Don’t Forget Where You Came From “Don’t forget where you came from.” It is often said at graduations, it’s the title of a country music song, and many successful people…
I. Reasons to Deviate Rav Yosef Karo (16th cen., Israel; Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 676:1) says that the first bracha on Chanukah lights is: “le-hadlik ner Chanukah, to kindle Chanukah…
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…
The Torah in Parashat Vayesheb tells of the sale of Yosef, which began with the brothers casting Yosef into a pit. The pit is described by the Torah as, “empty;…
The Chanukah miracle was a multi-layered experience: The ever-burning oil reminded us that even in a post-prophetic era Divine intervention still visited our people. For the very first time, we…
INGREDIENTS: 1 box potato pancake mix, plus ingredients needed on package 1 large potato, shredded and squeezed dry Cooking spray Applesauce and/or sour cream DIRECTIONS: Take your at latkes…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m hoping you can help me. My boyfriend just brought up the M word! While most girls would be happy with this announcement, I am not…
FAST FACTS: Name: Yuri Foreman Hebrew Name: David Uri ben Avraham Born: August 5, 1980 (age 40) in Gomel, Belarus (Soviet Union) Grew up in Israel, now lives in Crown…
FAST FACTS: Name: Richie (Yechiel) Taylor Title: Deputy Inspector Precinct: Community Affairs Bureau at One Police Plaza. Prior Precincts worked in: 1st Precinct (lower Manhattan and City Hall), 61st Precinct…
Q: Does the dill that is used in Jarred pickles and given a hechsher by the OU get checked for bugs or does it not require to be checked? A:…
Finished No English dictionary has been able to adequately explain the difference between the terms ‘complete’ and ‘finished.’ However, at a linguistic conference held in London some years ago, attended…
Before coronavirus ever arrived, levels of anxiety, particularly among young people, were disturbingly high. Indeed, nearly one in three adolescents (31.9%) will meet criteria for an anxiety disorder by the…
In Bereishis 32:11 it says that Yaakov said he is too small in stature to receive all the Chessed of Hashem. The Gemara in Taanis 20b learns from here that…
As we get ready for the very sweet festival of Chanukah, it behooves us to brush-up on its spiritual messages. In this way, we can ensure that it doesn’t become…
When Yaakov returned to Eretz Yisroel he “encamped” (“vayichan”) on the outskirts of the city Shechem (Breishis 33:18). The rabbis of the Talmud (Shabbos 33a) understand the possuk to imply…
We recently discussed the custom in some place to respectfully burn sacred books (sheimos) that become worn out or otherwise unneeded. This practice was forbidden by most authorities, with one…
This weekend marks the 19th of Kislev- known throughout the Jewish world as ‘yat Kislev’ – a worldwide celebration of Chasidus. Approximately 220 years ago, the first Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi…
In Parasat VaYishlach, perek 33, pasuk 17, the Torah tells us that Yaakov Aveenu built himself a house and he built for his cattle Succot (huts.) In fact, Yaakov Aveenu…
INGREDIENTS: TROUT: 6 Rainbow Trout Fillets scant 1-1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper (it makes a difference) 2 tsps paprika 3 Tbs olive oil ISRAELI CABBAGE SALAD: Red…
Free at last. Precisely five years since Jonathan Pollard was released from prison after serving thirty years of an unprecedented life sentence for passing classified information to an ally, Israel,…
In Bereishis 29:18 it says that Yaakov loved Rachel and proposed that he work for seven years to be able to marry her. The Rema in Choshen Mishpat Hilchos Sechiras…
Several years ago, I was standing with our new assistant rabbi, who had just moved here from South Africa, when a stranger came over and engaged us. In the course…
Was it President Lincoln in 1863, President Washington in 1789, or the Pilgrims themselves in 1622? While historians may debate when the holiday of Thanksgiving was first instituted, the practice…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I love your column each week. It’s the first thing I read in The Jewish Vues once I pick it up on my way home from…
Q: Can one buy unflavored hot coffee both regular and/or decaf from any non-kosher establishment such as Starbucks or a Dunkin Donuts without a hechsher? This is a very complicated…
INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup chopped yellow onions 3 garlic cloves, smashed 2 heaping cups chopped carrots 1½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar…
INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound kosher sausage, (I like Jack’s) sliced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 onion, diced 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1/2 teaspoon…
The Blank Spaces This essay will not dissect a portion of the Torah, nor a chapter, verse, sentence, or word. We will not even focus on a letter or a…
Last week, I related the story of Reb Yosef who was childless for many years. Reb Yosef was a chasid of the Maggid MiKozhnitz, and finally, when pushed by his…
In his dream Yaakov Avinu saw angels going up the ladder that led to heaven and coming down again. The medrash offers various interpretations of this image. One of the…
Modern-day democracies have transformed civilization by introducing innovative and powerful ideas, both about our personal lives as well as about the type of society we aim to establish. Overwhelmingly, the…
Jonathan Pollard is now a completely free man, having finished last Friday his five years of parole following 30 years in jail after pleading guilty to spying on the United…
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones completed 21 of 28 pass attempts for 244 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions in Week 10 against the Eagles. He added nine rushes…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Thank you so much for your column. I enjoy reading it each week. I have been in the dating parsha for about a year now. My…
Free Plowing Back in the ‘40s, a Jewish guy was arrested for smuggling guns into Israel, then known as Palestine. He was taken into one of the British prisons. While…
The financial impact of the pandemic has left its devastating mark on small businesses everywhere, with countless people seeing their life’s work decimated by lingering lockdowns. That impact has been…
Moderna’s vaccine against Covid-19 is strongly effective, the company said this past Monday, building excitement about the potential of controlling the global pandemic. The news comes exactly a week after…
The Medrash Tanchuma in Toldos 8 says that when Eisav came home from the fields he would ask questions of his father to make him seem steeped in learning. An…
I met Rav Dovid Feinstein zt’l for the first time when my grandmother, Joyce Hirsch, told me that her good friend Gloria Goldman was set up with her husband Rabbi…
The world is a darker place this week as two great lights have been extinguished. While Rav Dovid Feinstein zt”l and Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l achieved greatness in different…
Can one bake an open pan of chicken/ meat in a hot oven immediately after fish was baked in an open pan? What about the opposite, fish after meat, if…
INGREDIENTS: Topping: 1 cup brown sugar 1/3 cup flour 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans preferred) – you can omit if there are nut allergies 1/2 cup margarine (melted) Sweet Potato…
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 Dijon mustard…
One of the methods by which we can smoothly absorb vital Torah teachings is through the vehicle of a story. I would like to share with you a welldocumented vignette…
The Torah tells us that a kosher animal is one which has split hooves and chews its cud; pigs have split hooves, but because they do not chew their cud,…
What do you do with sacred books (sheimos) that become worn out or otherwise unneeded? Technology has given the question more weight. With so many newspapers, handouts and printouts, the…
The world of religious ideas was steadily c o a l e s c i n g . Gradually, G-d introduced humanity to fundamental principles of religion. The horrific flood…
FAST FACTS: Name: Rabbi Simcha Hochbaum Born: 1966 in New York Grew up in: Staten Island Graduated: Yeshiva University with a B.S. in accounting and studied at the Azrieli Graduate…
Rabbi Sacks died on the Shabbos of Parshas Vayera, surely one of his favorite parshos — I have no doubt this is a kavod acknowledging his leadership and wisdom and…
“Though he seldom mentions it, Sacks battled cancer twice, once in his 30s, and later in his 50s. Yet unlike many other rabbis and scholars of religion, from Rabbi David…
Much is discussed and written about leadership. Historically, the Jewish people crave effective, responsible and dignified leaders. This has been especially evident, again, during the current pandemic when we hold…
Rav Feinstein served as the rosh yeshiva of Mesivta Tiferes Jerusalem, located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, since the passing in 1986 of his renowned father Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l….
Rabbi Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom for 22 years, served as a profoundly eloquent teacher of Torah and spokesman for Torah values within the Jewish community and beyond….
My father’s position was, very simply that the stopping of breathing was death. It doesn’t matter if the heart is functioning or not; as long as he stops breathing he’s…
The posuk in Bereishis 23:2 says that Avraham came to be maspid Sarah and cry over her death. Reb Reuven Feinstein, at the hesped of his brother Reb Dovid Feinstein,…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I met a wonderful man who is compassionate, kind, personable and warm. He is everything I would want in a guy and treats me like a…
The passing of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks zt”l leaves thousands if not millions of people of faith — Orthodox and non-Orthodox, Jewish and gentile — mourning their teacher and source…
LAST WISHES A woman in Brooklyn decided to prepare her will and make her final plans. She told her rabbi she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be…
Unfortunately, in the last two weeks, COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased 16 percent across the nation and coronavirus is still wreaking havoc across the world causing much of Italy to go…
The Torah tells us that when our mother, Sara, died Avraham refused to bury her in the general municipal cemetery. He insisted on designating a separate location as kever yisroel….
Two weeks ago, I wrote about why I believe rabbis should not tell people how to vote. While I feel strongly about why I think the candidate I voted for…
Parashat Chayei Sarah tells of the death of our matriarch Sarah, Avraham’s wife. Sarah was originally named “Sarai,” and only later (Bereishit, chapter 17) did G-d change her name to…
In Parshas Chaya Sarah we can study all about shidduchim. One of the primary lessons is to know that shidduchim are arranged by Hashem. It’s not because I chose, or…
Avraham’s revolution had begun to gain traction. He traversed the promised land, participating both in wars as well as in diplomacy, all the while disseminating awareness about a one G-d….
INGREDIENTS: 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 4 (6-oz) salmon fillets, patted dry with paper towels Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 3 tbsp. butter 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/2…
A SPECIAL COLUMN FOR THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MURDER OF R’ KAHANE It has been 30 years since the murder of Rabbi Kahane. A special column about the leader…
After their son Menachem’s birth in Yerushalayim in 2002, Ari and Naomi Zivotofksy asked for a passport that recorded his birthplace as Israel, but they were granted the document only…
The Rabbinical Alliance of America—Igud HaRabbonim, representing over 950 American rabbis—calls upon our governmental authorities to be on high alert over recent anti-Semitic incidents. Over the past few days, a…
This past Tuesday was the petirah of Rav Yaakov Busel zt”l, rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Rabbeinu Yaakov Yosef of Edison, NJ. Rav Busel led the Edison Yeshiva together with his…
For decades, large numbers of A m e r i c a n Jews and the vast majority of their leadership have been practicing the art of national suicide. Faced…
What treatment modalities are available now? Why is covid less likely to kill and cause hospitalization today than it was in March and April? Why am I a semi-optimistic pessimist?…
Is there an issue with having a cleaning person in your house when you are not home? A cleaning lady is always an issue. There’s a fundamental issue with having…
The malochim told Sarah in Bereishis 18:10 we will return in a year and she will have a child. Sarah heard the besurah from behind the door. Why did the…
Humanity had turned the corner: after two thousand years of barbarism and heresy Avraham discovered God and launched a revolution of religious consciousness. One metropolis, however, remained unyielding, stuck in…
Through the media, we are c o n s t a n t l y bombarded by death. This preoccupation with death tends to prey on a person’s mind and…
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi. I’m engaged to a great guy. My issue with him is that he seems very indecisive in terms of which career to pursue. After many…
INGREDIENTS: Marinade: 1 cup ketchup 1/2 cup Coca-Cola 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce 1/2 cup steak Sauce…
Nearing the End A priest and a pastor from a local church were standing by the road pounding a sign into the ground that reads: The End is Near! Turn…
This election cycle has brought us headlines such as, “Leading Orthodox rabbi endorses Trump for reelection” and “Leading Israeli Modern Orthodox rabbi condemns Trump.” We have orthodox rabbis publishing articles…
Our father Avrohom was known for his love of G-d. Yeshaya refers to him as, “avraham ohavi,” “the one who loved Me” (Yeshaya 41:8). In what way does man demonstrate…
I. Of Making Many Books There Is No End New technology brings blessings at first but then curses follow. The printing press with movable type, invented around the year 1440…
Parashat Vayera begins with the story of the three angels – who appeared as ordinary nomads – whom Abraham Abinu welcomed and hosted. The Torah describes at length the efforts…
Someone sent his butler to bring a barrel of wine as a gift to the Meor Einayim, Rebbe Nachum of Chernobyl zt’l. (In that era people would commonly send gifts,…
FAST FACTS Name: Steven A. Cohen Born: June 11, 1956 (age 63 years), Great Neck, NY Spouse: Alexandra Cohen (m. 1992), Patricia Cohen (m. 1979–1990) Education: Wharton School of the…
FAST FACTS: Name: Yisroel Lamm Title: Conductor and Arranger Currently Works For: Aaron Teitelbaum’s Orchestra Years in the Jewish Music Business: Over 50 years Number of albums arranged: Definitely in…
Jewish History is launched through an epic pilgrimage to the promised land. Having been selected by G-d, Avraham abandons his homeland, family, and culture to enter the great unknown. He…