What is preferable? To wake up early and recite Selichos before dawn (a.k.a. alos hashachar, which is 72 minutes before sunrise), or to stay up late and recite Selichos after chatzos (midnight)? What about saying selichos after alos...
Parashat Ki-Tabo begins with the Misva of Bikkurim – the obligation upon a farmer to bring the first fruits that ripen to the Bet Ha’mikdash and present them to a Kohen. The farmer then makes a special...
This week’s parsha, Ki Savo, tells of the mitzva of bikurim, the giving of the first fruits to the Kohein. “Ki savo el ha’aretz...
Make a Confession! I want to achieve an ambitious goal with this essay: I want to bring back confession to Judaism. People attribute confession to Catholicism; they think it is the job of the priests. I believe it...
One day in 2022, Azriel was minding his own business when he got a call from Charlotte. She introduced herself as the president of Congregation Anshei Shalom, a large Conservative Temple in Century Village in West Palm Beach,...
INGREDIENTS: 2.5-3 lbs boneless flanken roast 1 large onion, chopped 2-3 Yukon gold Potatoes, chopped Sauce 1/2 c bbq sauce 1/4 c honey 1 tbsp mustard Salt & Pepper Garlic powder 1/4 c olive oil 1/2 c water DIRECTIONS: The meat is so...
It sounds almost like something from a bizarre movie: a prison surrounded by trenches filled with crocodiles. Yet this is precisely the unusual security proposal being advanced by Israel’s National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir. The plan calls for Nile crocodiles...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi! I’m a big fan of your column and enjoy reading it on a weekly basis. I’m having a problem dating. My next-door neighbor, Moshe and I...
In shul many men place their tallis over their head for the entire davening. Some do so only after Barchu, while others do not cover their head with a tallis at all. What is the reasoning behind covering...
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aharon, took the drum in her hand, and all of the women followed her with drums and dances. Shemos 15:20 Introduction Singing Shabbos zemiros is a special activity that many Jewish families engage...