Tazria: The Bizarre Purification of the Metzora
In this week's parsha, we are introduced to a strange set of laws related to the metzora, one afflicted with tzara'at. How do we relate to such laws?
Parshat Shemini
Leaders have to make many difficult decisions - decisions that affect, often negatively, other people.
Inversely Proportional Punishment
Commentators differ as to what exactly was the sin of Nadav and Avihu and why they deserved what on the surface appears to be a wildly disproportional punishment for their 'minor' infraction
Matches Made In Heaven
Since our faith teaches that EVERY person has a soul mate – a bashert – designated by Heaven, how is it so many cannot find their partners? It is impossible to know but faith and prayer HELP!
Jewish Practice In The U.S. Military (XII – Conclusion)
The conclusion to the legal saga of whether Dr. Simcha Goldman could wear his yarmulke while serving in the US Air Force. Chodesh Tov!
Daf Yomi
Consequential Limitations
‘Seeds That Did Not Sprout’
(Bava Basra 92a)
Q & A: Attending Weddings During Sefirah (Part II)
Question: My friends are getting married on Rosh Chodesh Sivan. I tried to convince them to do otherwise, as many people have a minhag not to attend weddings until three days before Shavuot. They told me they spoke to rabbis who allowed it. Is this right? May I attend?
Name Withheld By Request
Lost Bag
He considers it direct damage and writes that even a guardian who is exempt from negligence [e.g., be'alav imo] or even a person who is not a guardian, is liable in such a case.
Sefirat HaOmer
Whereas one week is sufficient to restore an individual to his natural state of divine purity, the entire nation required seven weeks.
Now Or Never
I knew in my heart if I did not take my first step soon all my ambition would fizzle.
One Who Cannot Swear Must Pay (Siman 75:12)
The Torah believes the testimony of one witness that the defendant does not deny under oath – as if it were the testimony of two witnesses.
Food For The Soul
The nefesh habahami on the other hand is comprised of the base instincts necessary for survival.
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Shemini: The Price of Holiness
The Meshech Chochmah states that had Israel not sinned with the golden calf, God would not have punished Aharon’s sons so severely.
Shemini: Why Did God Reject Nadav and Avihu
This week's parsha discusses the sudden and disturbing death of two of Aharon's sons, Nadav and Avihu
Jews Have Forgotten How To Pray
To be a Jew is to know how to pray but, alas, it seems most Jews turn to everyone and everything but our Heavenly Father. I would like to offer some practical suggestions to help us grow in prayer
Daf Yomi
Rabbi Nechunia’s Prayer
‘ Even So, An Actual Incident Is Greater’
(Bava Basra 83a)
Date Night…At The Hospital
At this point I am reasonably happy that he returns home eventually and is still semi-coherent (at least some of the time).
Chametz Delivery
After a couple of hours in the kitchen, the meat was on the fire, the chicken in the oven, and some kugels already out on the table.
Forgiving The Debt (Siman 75:11)
In order for an admission of a debt or for the forgiveness of a debt to be effective, it must be accompanied by some overt manifestation of serious intent.
Q & A: Attending Weddings During Sefirah (Part I)
Question: My friends are getting married on Rosh Chodesh Sivan. I tried to convince them to do otherwise, as many people have a minhag not to attend weddings until three days before Shavuot. They told me they spoke to rabbis who allowed it. Is this right? May I attend?
Name Withheld By Request
Chol HaMoed: An Oxymoron
On Chol HaMoed some work is prohibited and some is permitted. According to some opinions, the work prohibition is biblical; according to others, it’s rabbinical.
Being Like Hashem
He didn’t choose to be kind. He didn’t want to feel the pain of others. In fact, he tried his best to squelch this sensitivity.
Kriyat Yam Suf: Jumping Into Deep Waters
Judaism is about new ideas. It is dependent on fresh concepts deeply rooted in its tradition. We must be aware that if we do not apply new remedies we should expect new evils,
Redeeming Relevance: Parshat Shmini: When Intelligence is Not Enough
In commenting on the story of Nadav and Avihu, Aharon’s two sons who died while presenting a fire offering to God, Rashi does something...
Seder Customs From Around The World
The house is clean. The last bit of chametz has been burned. What happens next?
Matza’s Mixed Message: Are We Victors or Victims?
We have great difficulty accepting our role as Victor, rather than Victim. We apologize for how well our country functions, for our victories, and for our stubborn refusal to roll over and die.
Pesach: Then and Now
Today, over half of world Jewry resides in Israel. Despite wars, terrorism, economic boycotts, and isolation by detractors, Israel continues to thrive-- the realization of visions foretold long ago
As we were once strangers in a land that was not ours, how does...
With all the talk today about immigration, we asked some ofour rabbanim to answer the following question...