The Gemora teaches us, “Im ein daas, havdala minayin – Without knowledge, how does one differentiate?” This is the reason why in the Shemone Esrei on Motzoi Shabbos we say the havdala insertion of Atah chonantonu within the blessing of...
Moments before Yaakov Avinu’s petirah, he gathered his children and said (Bereishis 49:1) “Assemble yourself...
If one made a bracha on food and then remembered that it is a fast day, what should he do? This situation presents a dilemma. On the one hand, it is prohibited to eat even a small...
Many parents observe the beautiful, time- honored practice to bless their children every week on Friday night. The blessing they give is, “Yesimcha Elokim Ke’Efrayim Ve’chi’Mnashe” – that Hashem should make them like Yosef’s two sons, Efrayim and Menashe. The...
End of life plans. Wills, last requests. Not things that are pleasant to think about. Decisions we tend to delay and push off. Discussions with our loved ones we want to avoid. Parshas Vayechi is...
Culminating Words Thus are the culminating words of the first—and in many ways the foundational—book of the Torah, Sefer Bereishit: “Yosef died at the age of one hundred and ten years; they embalmed him and he was placed in a...
My family loves soup! It’s a great way to start off any meal and sneak some extra veggies into the kids. One of their favorites is butternut squash soup. I love roasting the...
While print book sales were up less than 1% last year, sales of the Bible rose 22% in the U.S. through the end of October, compared with the same period last year. Many ascribe this phenomenon to...
There is a halachic dispute regarding the leftover oil from the Chanukah menorah: 1. Kedusha of the Leftover Oil: One opinion holds that oil left over after the candles have burned for the required half-hour possess no sanctity (kedusha). According...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Is marriage supposed to be happy or are we all supposed to suffer all the time? We recently had our 2nd child and it has made life...