Every year, about 11 million children in the United States participate in school- level spelling bees. The most prestigious competition is the annual Scripps National Bee that has been held since 1925. The words have gotten progressively more difficult over...
Jews around the world have strong s e n t i m e n t s regarding hostages, stemming from a profound sense of unity and familial connection. When one member of the community suffers, it’s felt as...
In response to “flawed Flatbush” and “flooded in Flatbush” , I would like to share my story . I am a mother with 4 sons and 2 daughters. The boys...
The tefillah of Aleinu is said daily after each tefilla, as well as during the Yomim Noraim. During the week one can see many people leave shul before reciting this tefillah with the tzibur, and many say it while walking...
I. Non-Slaughtered Meat A surprising leniency gets a brief mention in the Talmud but might have practical relevance for Israeli soldiers today. Jewish soldiers have to keep kosher, of course, and sometimes that requires some effort in the IDF....
At the end of Parashat Beha’alotecha, the Torah tells a story about Miriam, Moshe Rabbenu’s sister, who made some unkind remarks about Moshe to their brother, Aharon. Moshe, due to his special stature as a prophet, separated from...
Is one allowed to have dairy meals on Yom Tov? When the Beis Hamikdash stood, the mitzvah of Simchas Yom Tov (Rejoicing on Yom Tov) was fulfilled by partaking of the Korban Shelamim. However, when there is no Beis...
Tradition teaches that the souls of all Jews who would ever live until the end of time were present at Mount Sinai when the Torah was given. This concept actually finds halachic expression, in the concept of...
There are some childhood memories that one never forgets. Memories that remain etched in your heart and soul. Memories that even years later can be seen in your mind’s eye. For me, one such...
The Desert What was the significance of the fact that Torah was given in a wilderness, in a barren and infertile desert, not in a civilized terrain, nor on soil conducive to human living and nature’s blessing. Why did...