SUKKOT 5785 SPEECH: Shemuel Yosef and Shimon Bar Kochba
This is the story of two historical documents: a letter written 1,900 years ago and a video of a phone conversation I received a...
Sukkot in the Bet haMiqdash
Sukkot's days were celebrated with extraordinary joy in the Bet haMiqdash (Temple of Jerusalem). In addition to the biblical commandment of holding the four...
Sukkot In A Mexican Prison
Throughout history, we Jews overcame all obstacles to be able to observe the Mitsva of Sukka. One of the most striking examples of the...
Eruv Tavshilin for Shemini Atzeret 5785 (Cooking in Yom Tov for...
Understanding the Concept of Eruv
It is permitted to cook on a Jewish holiday (Yom Tov), as we learn from Exodus 12:16: "...No work shall...
NEILA 5785 SPEECH: The Final Verdict
It is the end of Yom Kippur, the moment of the Neila prayer. In the heavens, the Trial is about to begin. The Almighty...
Fasting, not fasting, and how to eat when you cannot fast
This coming Wednesday, October 1st right before sunset, we will begin the observance of Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and atonement.
There are five...
A Viduy (Confession Prayer) For Our Times
One of the most important Mitsvot of Yom Kippur is the recitation of the Viduy. Viduy means “confession,” and it is the central step...
Forgiving Those Who Won’t Say Sorry
We are a few days away from Yom Kippur. And before the most important day of the year begins, we must apologize to anyone...
The best way to do Kapparot
In many communities, there is a Minhag of doing Kapparot in the eve of Yom Kippur, what is the best way to do the...
TZOM GEDALIA: Why do we fast today?
Today, Sunday, October 6 (4th day of Tishri), we observe Tsom Gedalia, a fast day established to commemorate the assassination of Gedalia Ben Ahiqam,...
Leather shoes on Yom Kippur
Written in 2015
Wearing leather shoes on Yom Kippur - is it a Minhag or a strict Jewish law?
Wearing leather shoes is one of the...
NITSABIM: The Day of Judgement
אתם נצבים היום כולכם לפני ה’ אלוקיכם
DAY OF JUDGEMENT
Rosh haShana, the beginning of the Jewish New Year, is just a few days away....
What Type Of Shofar Should We Use For Rosh HaShana?
Listening to the Shofar is the most important Mitsva of Rosh haShana.
"Shofar" is the word used by the Tora to define an animal's horn...
Rosh HaShanah and the Original Sin
Tonight, Friday, September 15th, marks the beginning of Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. Rosh HaShanah is a day of celebration and reflection. On...
ON BEING A PROFITABLE INVESTMENT
Imagine you are a scientist, and you have an exceptional opportunity: a wealthy investor trusts your abilities and has decided to invest one million...
SHOFETIM: Children and Bamboo Trees
כי האדם עץ השדה
Debarim 20:19
Towards the end of this week's Parasha, the Tora addresses the laws of war and teaches the Jewish soldier to...
SUMMARY OF PARASHAT SHOFETIM
HaShem commands us to appoint judges in all the cities of Israel. Judges must be fair and impartial and should never accept any bribe.
Idolatry,...
SHOFETIM: Kings, with limited powers
One of the main issues discussed in our Parasha is the role of the "king" of Israel. Unlike other monarchies around the world, for...
AWESOME CREATION, A Study Of The First Three Verses Of The...
The first three verses of the Torah are perhaps the best-known sentences of the Hebrew Bible. They may also very well be the least...
Rules for the 30 days and the year
MOURNING FOR PARENTS AND OTHER RELATIVESThe mourning periods differ depending on whether one is mourning for parents or other relatives. For a father or...
