The Gemara in Masechet Sukka (11b) brings two views as to whether the Misva of Sukka commemorates “Sukkot Mamash” – the actual huts in which our ancestors dwelled during the years of travel in the wilderness, or the...
It was Rosh HaShana night, and our family was enjoying sweet apples and honey. The conversation around the table turned to why apples from all the fruits. Though there are several explanations, my nine-year-old granddaughter,...
ONE POT LEMON CHICKEN WITH ORZO INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs pargiot diced salt, pepper, onion, garlic and paprika Olive Oil 1 cup orzo 2 cups chicken broth juice of one lemon 5 ounces spinach DIRECTIONS: 2 lbs pargiot diced (or white cutlets...
The Blind Golfer Charlie Boswell was a great athlete who became blind during World War II while rescuing his friend from a tank that was under fire. When he returned to this country after the War, he decided to...
Israeli war hero and statesman Moshe Dayan was once stopped for speeding by a military policeman. Dayan protested: “I only have one eye. What do you want me to watch—the speedometer or the road?” The Shulchan Aruch (634:1) teaches that...
A person is permitted to go on outings during Sukkot and to eat outside the sukkah when necessary for refreshment or for the sake of Shalom Bayit. The Gemara (Sukkah 26a) teaches that travelers (holkhei derakhim) are exempt...
Someone suggested to me that I should write to the two of you. Although, I’m not sure what my questions are. I started seeing a girl only two weeks ago...
The subject of whether one should sit in the sukkah on Shemini Atzeres has been the topic of debate and discussion since time immemorial. There are many who have the custom not to sit in the sukkah (mainly chassidim), while there...
I. Who May Duchen? The Torah commands kohanim, male descendants of the priestly families, to bless other Jews while raising their hands and reciting a specific formula, i.e. to duchen, to do Nesi’as Kapayim. “Speak with Aharon and with his...
Does the prohibition against washing dirty clothes on Chol Ha-Mo’ed, the intermediate days of the holiday, still apply today when doing laundry is relatively quick and easy?1 In theory, washing laundry always should be allowed on Chol Ha-Mo’ed. Generally speaking, simple...