Simhat Torah is one of the happiest and joyous holidays of the year. However, Simhat Torah appears to be, chronologically, “out of order.” Since we received the Torah after Pesach, on Shavuot, we would expect the celebration of...
Every day, from Rosh Chodesh Elul through Shemini Atzeres, we recite Psalm 27, “L’Dovid, HaShem, Ori V’yish’ee, HaShem, is my light and my salvation, meemee eerah, whom shall I fear?” We are living the...
Interruption of Shivah A teaching in the Mishna defines the duties of a Jew who is in mourning at the outset of a festival. “Regalim mafsikim,” state the sages, “festivals interrupt shivah,” the seven-day period of mourning following the death...
A renowned Rabbi once did a favor for the Gerrer Rebbe, the Lev Simcha, which the Rebbe remembered for many years. Each year, on Erev Rosh Hashana, the Rebbe would call the man to check in on him...
UNSTUFFED CABBAGE INGREDIENTS: 1 (750 ml) bottle ketchup 1 liter ginger ale 1 whole cabbage, very coarsely shredded 2 lb ground beef 1 onion 1⁄2 cup rice 2 eggs garlic powder paprika freshly ground black pepper & salt DIRECTIONS: First night Succos, we always have...
1. Walls of the Sukkah: - Minimum Requirement: The sukkah must have at least two full walls and part of a third wall. The two full walls should be at least 7 tefachim wide (approximately 56- 70 cm),...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, I’m hoping you can help me. I have been friends with this guy for the past few years. We get along well and I have strong feelings for...
Birchos Kohanim is the highlight for many of those living outside of Eretz Yisrael since it is done only a few times a year. In Eretz Yisrael it is done on a daily basis. Why is this...
On the one hand, never before have Jews been as prosperous as they are now. Both the vast majority of individuals and the community in general are currently blessed with wealth well beyond what we have experienced in...
In our Yom Tov prayer text, Sukkot is called z’man simchateinu – “our festival of joy.” The primary theme of Sukkot is simcha – joy. What exactly is the connection between Sukkot and joy? A number of...