Judaism

Question: I recently loaned money to a friend who has been able to repay only part of it. This was an interest-free loan. We exchanged a signed IOU, not a proper shtar with witnesses, since I have always trusted her integrity and only wanted a document that confirms what was loaned and what was repaid. Now that shemittah is approaching, what should I do? Should I forgive the loan? And if my friend is not able to repay it, may I deduct the unpaid money from my ma’aser requirement? Name Withheld

So just in case you're stuck in the house this Chol HaMoed – because there's a new baby or because someone has a cold – not because of anything worse, here are six ideas for family fun at home.

Realizing that his death was immanent and he had only a few more moments, Moshe focuses on doing the most important thing: he runs to Bnei Yisrael and blesses them.

Sukkot's duality is that it's the most universalistic and the most particularistic of all festivals

“We offer you our children, Hashem” responded Am Yisrael. “They will be our surety.”

The Sukka: Even if you find it difficult to come to the synagogue, the synagogue will come to you.

What is the nostalgia for? The answer comes with Succot.

Sukkot is a universal holiday, inviting all peoples to come on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Only 1 mitzvah I couldn't keep in their prison: Sukkah; How could I build a Sukkah in a KGB camp!

The Shagas Aryeh leaves the matter somewhat unresolved, and posits that on the first night one is only obligated in simchah m’d’Rabanan.

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The special quality of the year 5775 (תשע"ה) is “nine months of pregnancy” תִּשְׁעָה יַרְחֵי לֵידָה

Give your sukkah an aura of polished grace with one of these breathtaking chandeliers!

Yom Kippur is observed on the tenth day of Tishrei - an Acadian word for forgiveness and Genesis.

Sometimes terrible things – things like the Akeidah – actually unlock our potential and make us far greater than we otherwise would be.

We aim for a virtuous cycle of creation and rest and yet more creation

The Jewish world today is a critical part of the timeline in Jewish history.

Often in life we become stuck – stuck in the morass of our habits and the rote of our comfort level.

There is one day of the year on which the Satan has no power: Yom Kippur.

During shmittah we refrain from agricultural activities and collection of loans, and on Yom Kippur we refrain from all physical pleasures.

A Miraculous Visual Treat ‘They Lifted It Up To Show…’ (Chagiga 26b)

Question: I recently loaned money to a friend who has been able to repay only part of it. This was an interest-free loan. We exchanged a signed IOU, not a proper shtar with witnesses, since I have always trusted her integrity and only wanted a document that confirms what was loaned and what was repaid. Now that shemittah is approaching, what should I do? Should I forgive the loan? And if my friend is not able to repay it, may I deduct the unpaid money from my ma’aser requirement? Name Withheld

What right do I, sinner, have to approach Hashem and request forgiveness?

Throughout the war, Akiva had several brief furloughs home, and each time exchanged whichever mishnayos volume he had finished for the next in the series.

Imagine a man who, after having a few too many drinks, gets into his car and begins driving. It takes a while before he is pulled over, but finally the police arrest him, and he stands trial for driving while intoxicated.

Mr. Fisher contacted Rabbi Dayan. "Am I allowed to use money of ma'aser kesafim to pay the shul for an aliyah that I bought?" he asked.

In addition to Yom Kippur, there is at least one other instance when a person may fast on Shabbat – the case of a ta’anit chalom, in which a person wishes to fast to prevent an ominous dream from becoming reality.

Others suggest that one cannot separate Shabbos from Yom Kippur by accepting Shabbos early.

The call of the shofar is eternal. It is not musical. Its magnetic allurement cannot be explained.

Ba’al Shem Tov: “Hashem, too, is crying; as much as He is looking for us, we rarely look for Him.”