The great Rav Shlomo Efraim ben Aharon Luntschitz, zt”l, zy”a, was the author of the famous commentary called Kli Yakar which graces almost every edition of the Mikra’os Gedolos Chumash. In 1602, he became the Chief Rabbi of Prague...
Many people have the custom to say the perek (Tehillim 91 Yoshev Beseser Elyon after lighting Chanukah lecht. The Birchas Avraham zt’l of Slonim, who had this custom, explained to his chassidim the words Yikraeni V’e’enehu, from this chapter “He will call...
Does one need to tovel electric appliances? There are many different appliances; there is no one rule. For example, an urn should be toiveled. Obviously, after you toivel an urn, you should not use it for a...
Parashat Ekeb includes the second paragraph of our daily Shema recitation (“Ve’haya Im Shamo’a”), in which the Torah promises that G-d would reward our observance of the Misvot with material prosperity. Hashem says that if we observe His commands,...
As the debate over making Daylight Saving Time permanent continues, much of the discussion in the Jewish world has focused on the burden it would place on religious communities, particularly during the winter months when sunrise would occur later. Agudath...
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...
What exactly is so comforting about Shabbos Nachamu? We have just completed a painful three-week journey, culminating in Tisha B’Av, as we tried to internalize how much we have lost with the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash. We...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi, I’m engaged to a wonderful guy. He treats me well. He gets along well with my family, but I’m having a problem with how sensitive he is....
The Mitzvah There is a great mitzvah for one to be involved with making shidduchim between a boy and girl. Hashem was the first shadchan in the world who made the shidduch between Adom and Chavah. The Chozeh from Lublin is...
As we discussed previously, on July 28, 1876 — 150 years ago — the Prussian parliament (part of the broader German legislative system at the time) passed a law allowing secession (austritt) from a Jewish community without formally renouncing...