The Mitzvah One is obligated to send mishloach manos on Purim to his friend etc. This mitzvah was introduced during the time of Mordechai and Esther and is considered a divrei kabbalah mitzvah and not a d’oraisa. There are two basic...
I recently drove on my own from Brooklyn to Monsey for a wedding. I wanted to listen to 10 minute mini-shiurim but because I was driving alone, I would not be able to manipulate my phone to switch...
Parashat Vayakhel begins with Moshe commanding the people to observe Shabbat. He says: Sheishet Yamim Taaseh Melachah, U’byom Hashevii Yehiyeh Lachem Kodesh Shabbat Shabbaton L’Hashem- “For six days, work shall be done; and on the seventh, there shall be...
What if you find a dairy utensil (ex. a spoon) in the meat drawer or vice versa? Depending on how you wash dishes and run your kitchen, there can be a variety of scenarios where it is not a problem....
The Torah in Parashat Ki-Tisa reiterates the command to observe Shabbat, explaining that Shabbat makes us realize “Ki Ani Hashem Mekadishchem” – “that I am the G-d who makes you sacred” (31:13). Somehow, the institution of Shabbat demonstrates that...
This week’s parsha, Ki Sisa, tells of the tragic episode of the Eigel HaZahav, the Golden Calf. Imagine Moshe Rabbeinu, descending from Har Sinai with the Aseres HaDibros. He heard sounds of partying, and sees...
Whence Such a Transformation? It was one of our lowest points in history, the nadir of the Jewish people. Forty days earlier, they heard the voice of G-d; they vowed to become His people. Now they were dancing around...
My children’s latest report cards went out recently and some of my children posted on our family WhatsApp group the grades they were proudest of. I jokingly shared that my report card also just came out and posted...
Soldiers in war zones face a myriad of challenges that evoke deep existential fear. The constant exposure to life- threatening situations, where survival is uncertain, is a primary source of this fear. Combat stress compounds this, inundating soldiers with...
Dear Rabbi and Shira, Hi! I’m a big fan of your column in the Jewish Vues and enjoy reading it on a weekly basis. I’m having a problem dating. My next-door...