Celebrate Purim With Your Kids
Here are some fun ways to dress up, make some noise and have a raucous good time at your next Purim party.
Building Israel and Battling Terrorism, One Tree at a Time
Alan and Rosaline Barron are kicking off their new mission sponsored by JNF right before the Jewish festival of Tu B’Shevat—the “New Year for Trees”—a time of renewal, and a celebration of nature and the environment. They are encouraging others to do the same.
Chanukah Scheduling Conflicts: The Time Frame For Lighting Menorah
Nowadays, however - thanks to artificial light - most peoples' workday or school day extends well beyond twilight during Chanukah... Must one leave work or school early to light Chanukah candles on time?
Hannukah Starts Tonight So Here’s 18 Differences Between Chanukah & Christmas
Put on your yarmulke, Here comes Chanukah; So much funukah, To celebrate Chanukah; Chanukah is the festival of lights:
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights
Undying
Daughters and sons were washed away: many drifted, some drowned. Each child that left the woman dealt her a fresh salvo of pain.
Baked Falafel Latkes With Tahini
Because it is a tried and true favorite, I decided to shake up the recipe a bit to create a healthier and more festive Chanukah feel.
The Fight Of Our Lives
The routing of Antiochus’ mighty army was accomplished by strong, brave Jewish fighters possessing minimal munitions but one most powerful weapon: Heavenly assistance.
More Than Just Candles: Chanukah in Kenya and Beit Shemesh
My quest for knowledge became life-changing. Like a bat (I didn’t mind the negativity associated with the flying mammals – I’m short-sighted anyway so there was a ring of truth to the simile), I honed in on the answers I’d been searching for.
Why Do We Light With Olive Oil?
For the Greeks, everything that was externally beautiful was good; to the Jew, everything that is inwardly good is beautiful.
When Bubbles Burst
The universal lesson of Chanukah through the prism of fluted glass
When Chanukah Gets Personal
I knew very little about Chanukah as a child and much of what I knew centered around the traditional eight nights of presents.
Dancing with the Torah
"My grandfather told me that he once attended the Cantonist Shul on Simchat Torah. The Cantonists could dance like Cossacks. They were huge, strong men, and the heavy Torah scrolls would seem like toothpicks in their arms. Despite being looked down upon by other Jews--they were not very learned and really couldn't observe the Torah properly--they were nonetheless able to rejoice in their Judaism and celebrate the Torah. It was truly amazing."
The Lost Torah Scroll
Simchat Torah sameach!
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) Guide for the Perplexed, 2018
Sukkot Sameach!
Yorkers – But Are They Kosher?
In honor of Sukkos, The Jewish Press decided to feature pictures of six of the winning designs.
‘Tikkun Olam’ for New Year 5779
According to the wisdom of Kabbalah, the “correction of the world” will only happen when we first repair the relations between people.
Yom Kippur: Guide for the Perplexed
A meaningful and easy fast to all.
The Psychopath Inside: Yom Kippur, Free Will & Determinism
At the start of a new year, we need to realize that we absolutely can change if we want to. Yes, we have predispositions and predilections, but they don’t have to define us; we can do whatever we want with them.
The Important Two Sides of the Coin of Repentance
Repentance is arduous. But the outcome, in reach of each of us, is cleansing, renewal, and restoration.
The Bucket List and Rosh Hashanah
The High Holy days represent the time when we need to mentally create a bucket list not of places we haven’t yet been but of good deeds we haven’t yet done.
Rosh Hashanah (New Year) Guide for the Perplexed, 2018
1. Rosh Hashanah (“the beginning of the year” in Hebrew), the Jewish New Year (5,779), is celebrated on the first day of the Jewish...
Rosh Hashanah’s Three Important Words
Being a Torah Jew means "Making It Happen" 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. It requires determination, focus and lots of positive energy but it's all worth it because we were chosen for this job above 99% of the world so Hashem knows we can do it.
The Trouble with Life is That it Doesn’t Come with a Soundtrack
The sages make a fascinating but perplexing comment concerning the actions of Aaron, brother of Moses....
Rosh Hashanah Resolutions
I will ask for forgiveness and tell all the people that I spoke Lashon Hara, gossip, about them and lose all my friends. I will give chocolate to all the people who I spoke Lashon Hara about, so they will like me again.
A New CD By Chazan Benny Rogosnitzky Looks To Inspire Daveners and Baalei Tefillah...
“When you realize that you are the one carrying them and taking their tefillos to the Ribono Shel Olam, that shift puts everything into perspective.”
Why I LOVE Sefaradi Selichot
my reply to those who seem to groan when they hear about the 40 days of Selichot, my answer is that I love them and look forward each year to reciting them
ABC’s of Elul
The last month of the Jewish calendar is actually the most important – serving as preparation for the High Holidays.
Tisha B’Av: Turning Mourning into Action
Our job is to make sure we can answer the call of ayeka, where are you? Are you taking responsibility?
Tisha B’Av, a Day that Lives in Infamy
Although Tisha B’Av marks the day in which both Jewish Temples were destroyed, the Jewish People endured many tragic events on this specific day throughout history. Despite this, we endure and are the Eternal People
Mourning the Loss of Mourning
What is the connection between feeling more connected to God and having the Temple? And why does that require sacrifices?