Rabbi Refael Aharon ben Shimon (1847-1928)
As we said last week (see here) Rabbi Ben Shimon wrote many responsas about the new inventions of his time. As the highest authority in...
TEFILA: zoqef kefufim, the Rabbis’ version of Homo Erectus
כשעומד מברך: ברוך אתה ה' אלוקינו מלך העולם, זוקף כפופים
When a person stands up straight --when he or she wakes up in the morning--...
American Rabbis on celebrating New Year’s Day
We have written in previous HOTD about the views of modern orthodox rabbis regarding the celebration of different American holidays (see here). All rabbis...
Rabbi Refael Aharon ben Shimon (1847-1928)
Rabbi Refael Aharon ben Shimon was born in Rabat, Morocco in 1847. In 1854 he came to Israel with his father, Rabbi David ben Shimon,...
TEFILA: matir asurim, appreciating our ability to move
ברוך אתה ה´ אלוקינו מלך העולם מתיר אסורים
The expression matir asurim, "HaShem sets free those who are imprisoned" appears in the book of Psalms...
The Tenth of Tebet and the Kaddish haKelaly
This coming Friday, December 25th 2012, we observe the fast of the Tenth of Tebet. We remember the siege of Yerushalaim, in the year...
The Tenth of Tebet and the Greek Translation of the Tora
Yesterday we mentioned two of the three events that we remember in the Tenth of Tebet (see here). Once again, it is important to clarify...
The fast of the Tenth of Tebet
This coming Sunday December 23rd, 2012, we will observe the Tenth of Tebet, a fast day, which reminds us of three tragic events. 1. The...
TEFILA: Opening the eyes of the blind
ברוך אתה ה´ אלוקינו מלך העולם, פוקח עורים.
As we explained last week, the Birkot haShaḥar are the blessings which we say following the different...
TEFILA: Thanking the Creator for the rooster’s circadian rhythm
בָרוּךְ..... הַנוֹתֵן לַשֶכְוִי בִינָה לְהַבְחִין בֵין יוֹם וּבֵין לָיְלָה
"Blessed are you, HaShem... Who gives the rooster the understanding to distinguish between day and night."
Birkot...
