Haman, the genius megalomanic
The villain of the story of Purim is Haman ben Hamedata, a descendant of Amaleq. King Aḥashverosh appointed Haman as his Vizier (or Chief...
SHABBAT: Understanding the Habdala ceremony
The fourth of the Ten commandments states: "Remember the day of Shabbat to sanctify it". This means that we should sanctify the Shabbat with...
THE 13 PRINCIPLES: # 13: Tehiyat hametim, just for the...
The thirteenth principle of the Jewish faith states our believe that the dead will be brought back to life. This is known as resurrection...
Rabbi Eliyahu Hazan: The first Sephardic Bat-Mitzva
After being in Tripoli for a few years (see this), rabbi Eliyahu Hazan was invited to serve the Jewish community of Alexandria, Egypt, replacing...
TEFILA: Our ability to walk upright (hamekhin mis’ade gaber)
כשהוא הולך, הוא אומר: ברוך המכין מצעדי גבר.
This blessing, "Blessed are You, haShem, our God, King of the universe, Who makes firm the steps...
SHABBAT: At what time does Shabbat end?
We have explained that Shabbat begins at sunset and that we are instructed to add some additional time at the beginning of Shabbat. Thus,...
PRINCIPLE 12: When will the Messiah come, according to Maimonides?
In the last chapter (Chapter 1000th) of his monumental book Mishne Tora, Maimonides conveys a very interesting idea about the Messianic times, which sheds...
Rabbi Eliyahu Hazan (1846-1908) and the Role of Secular Studies
Rabbi Eliyahu Bekhor Hazan
Rabbi Eliyahu Hazan (1846-1908) , son of Yosef Rafael Hazan, was born in Izmir, Turkey . His grandfather was Rabbi Hayim David...
TEFILA: Standing on solid ground
כשהוא מניח רגליו על הקרקע, הוא אומר: ברוך...רוקע הארץ על המים
The Rabbis of the Talmud said that when we wake up, as we are...
SHABBAT: At what time does Shabbat begin?
The new day, in the Hebrew calendar, begins at some point between sunset and nightfall. Nightfall is defined as the time when is so...
