Dearest fellow visitors to Israel, One of the more popular refrains I have heard from people considering going to Israel during these challenging times is something along the lines of: “Does it really make a difference if I come?...
On Thursday last week, South Africa presented its case at the World Court in The Hague, asserting that Israel is engaged in genocide in Gaza. The legal representatives urged the court to issue an interim order, calling for...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi, I have a question. I am a newly ,married man, and my wife said that her Kallah teacher taught in class that she should have one friend...
The beracha of shehechiyanu applies to many different areas such as Yom Tov, purchasing new items, performing mitzvahs and eating new fruits. This issue will focus on the beracha of shehechiyanu as it applies to new fruits and other daily applications. The...
In their first three years, trees produce fruit that are orlah, which we are forbidden to eat or derive any benefit from them. We exhibit the important trait of patience in order to give the tree time to grow...
ROASTED FIG AND CARROTS 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, peeled and cut into 1”...
Parshat Bo tells the story of Yetziat Mitzrayim, the Exodus from Egypt. Throughout the Torah, the importance of this event, and of remembering this event, is emphasized. And many mitzvot were commanded specifically to ensure that we never...
In this week’s parsha, Moshe Rabbeinu is told by G-d, “Please speak into the ears of the people and a man shall ask from his neighbor and a women shall ask from her neighbor utensils of silver...
We next ask Hashem, “R’tzei Hashem Elokeinu b’amcha Yisroel uvis’filasam – Favor Hashem our G-d, Your nation Yisroel and their tefilos.” We first ask Hashem to favor us. For if, G-d forbid, He doesn’t favor us, then He despises...
The Ramban at the end of Parashah Bo writes that the miracles of yetzias Mitzrayim proved to Bnei Yisrael and the world that (1) Hashem exists, (2) He knows what is happening in the world, and (3) He leads the...