14 Jul DEVARIM: MOURNING – AND REBUILDING – TOGETHER
Once, as I was giving a class about the halachot of Tishah B’Av, I mentioned the law regarding work on this day – that Halachah permits working on Tishah B’Av, but the Rabbis teach that one who...
Once, as I was giving a class about the halachot of Tishah B’Av, I mentioned the law regarding work on this day – that Halachah permits working on Tishah B’Av, but the Rabbis teach that one who...
You shall not light a fire in all of your settlements on the Shabbos day. Shemos 35:3 Introduction Occasionally, one may find himself as a Shabbos guest in the home of someone who is not particularly knowledgeable regarding the...
It’s easy to accuse someone else of being defensive. It is no coincidence that Parshas Devarim is always read on the Shabbos before Tisha B’Av, as Moshe recounts the tragedy of the meraglim. Chazal teach that this episode...
The idea was good in my eyes. (1:23) Parashas Devarim begins with Moshe rabbeinu reviewing the main events that occurred in the 39 years since the Jewish People left Har Sinai. In recalling their request to send meraglim...
As we observe the traditional and sad routine of the Nine Days, abstaining from the pleasures of music, meat, wine and swimming, we remember the recent horrific destruction of the Second Temple because of sinas chinum, senseless and improper...
The Shabbos before Tisha b’Av is called Shabbos Chazon because the haftarah begins with the words Chazon Yeshayahu, “Yeshayahu’s vision.” Nevertheless, the name is surprising because why should we name the Shabbos after the haftarah that discusses the Churban? As the Kedushas Levi (Eichah) asks, “Why is...
Beginning Rosh Chodesh Av until after Tisha B’Av (the Nine Days) the custom of Ashkenazim is not to eat meat or drink wine, in remembrance of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. What about a food that was cooked...
In the famous Haftara of “Hazon Yeshayahu” (Yeshayahu, chapter 1) which is read on the Shabbat before Tisha B’Ab, the prophet bemoans the fact that although the people have been stricken with crises and calamities, they persisted in their...
PEACH AND BURRATA SALAD DIRECTIONS: When it’s so hot outside, no one wants to cook. This peach and burrata salad is the epitome of all summer salads. Using delicious, seasonal peaches, tomatoes, and...
“Aileh hadevarim, These are the words that Moshe spoke to all of Yisroel...