18 Aug Why Does Teshuvah Work?
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...
Shabbos Times for Oct 18, 2024 | 16 Tishrei, 5785 | | Candle Lighting Time: 5:52 PM | Havdalah (72 min): 7:22 PM
11 Aug When the Chazzan Shleps
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 voices....
04 Aug Saying a Wicked Name
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 for...
27 Jul Celebrating Tisha B’Av
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 do...
21 Jul Torah Erev Tisha B’Av
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 before...
14 Jul Giving Ma’aser in the Modern Economy
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 of...
06 Jul Whole Foods
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 piece...
30 Jun Do I Have to Reply?
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...
23 Jun Is Annexation a Mitzvah?
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 issue,...
16 Jun Funding the Police
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...