Tag: discussion

The woman in her mid-thirties who initiated this discussion a few weeks ago bemoaned what she considers the indifference and the insensitivity of most people to the plight of singles.

More and more young singles are realizing that their future is in Israel

Now that Gilad Shalit is home, it is time for Israel to have a national discussion about the price of redeeming captive soldiers and the rights of terror victims.

Special Note: I would like to thank the many people who have written expressing their appreciation for my series of columns titled "When Children Fall Through the Cracks." I am most grateful for the overwhelming response and I hope everyone who wrote will understand that while I would have liked to publish all the letters, for the time being I am closing the discussion to focus on the many other subjects that have reached my desk.

Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov lived through turbulent times, whether as a young man in war-torn Poland in the middle of the last century, or as an early settler in the fledgling State of Israel during its formative years. In Israel, he developed into an exceptional educator and outstanding writer, and these two skills merged remarkably well when he authored a series of innovative texts that still resonate strongly throughout the Jewish world.

Rabbi Eliyahu Kitov lived through turbulent times, whether as a young man in war-torn Poland in the middle of the last century, or as an early settler in the fledgling State of Israel during its formative years. In Israel, he developed into an exceptional educator and outstanding writer, and these two skills merged remarkably well when he authored a series of innovative texts that still resonate strongly throughout the Jewish world.

On December 31, 2009, my father was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, almost everyone will be touched by this horrible disease in one fashion or another. I have had many friends who have been affected by cancer, but they were younger and stronger than my dad, or Tatinke, who is 84.

Recently, as I exited my car in a crowded parking lot, I saw an elderly woman approach an elderly man as he was getting out of his car. Wagging her finger in the man's face, the woman yelled. "Do you know why I'm here? I'mhere to tell you that you are not a very nice man!"

On December 5, 2008, Jewish women from across America and from diverse backgrounds will participate at a Shabbat retreat in Boulder, Colorado.

On December 5, 2008, Jewish women from across America and from diverse backgrounds will participate at a Shabbat retreat in Boulder, Colorado.

I realize that many people attribute this type of negative, obstreperous behavior to the tenor of our times. We are living in Ikvesa d'Moshicha, a period, our sages tell us, in which chutzpah will abound - the young will rise against their elders, and children will relate to their parents and in-laws with insolence. But to me, that is not quite acceptable. I do not consider that to be a legitimate excuse.

It's sweet 16 for the Mimmy and Simmy book series.

Last week the topic of discussion was the kosher cheeseburger found on the menu at Talia's Steakhouse. Made with soy cheese and supposedly grilled...

Our fourth Shabbat was observed in Toronto. My former Chabad chavrusah, Yosef Baruch Spielman, had arranged Shabbat hospitality for us at the home of his niece and nephew, Elisheva and Rabbi Chaim Weinman.

For the past two years, any time we've met our neighbors on our front lawn, near the street's curb, the discussion has invariably turned to the very pressing issue of... garbage.

The babirusa is a cousin to the pig and lives in the islands around Indonesia. It seems there was some discussion as to whether or...

There is a saying that is often quoted by older parents that one mother can take care of 10 children but 10 children cannot take care of one mother.

So often when I speak to well spouse support groups, and we talk about how difficult the life of a well spouse is, the topic of why we stay in the marriage comes up for discussion.

The last cartoon that came out of the discussion with the well spouse group depicted how society sees the well spouse, or should I say doesn't see him.

Partnership doesn’t mean equality in skill. It means equality in responsibility and ownership. Show me business partners who have to meet about every single decision and hash it out until they both agree on a course of action, and I will show you bankruptcy proceedings.

QUESTION: In a leap year when there are two months of Adar, during which month is a yahrzeit observed? Do the rules of yahrzeit precedence apply in regard to Kaddish? Finally, can you discuss the precedence regarding leading services during the year of mourning?M. BermanLos Angeles, CA

QUESTION: What are the requirements for a sheliach tzibbur? May someone who desecrates the Sabbath lead the services? C.M. Siegel Rockland, NY

QUESTION: Why do some people say Tashlich on the second day of Rosh Hashana when the first day falls on a Sabbath, while others say it on the first day (in areas where there is an eruv)? What if someone missed saying Tashlich? Finally, what is the source for this custom?Zvi Kirschner(via email)

QUESTION: Upon concluding the Shabbat morning services at our local synagogue, we have an informal kiddush during which our rabbi discusses the Parasha of the week. At the conclusion of his talk he opens an informal discussion, inviting questions or comments. Occasionally I will make a brief comment relating to the rabbi's talk, sometimes quoting an applicable passage from the Torah. Recently a friend told me that it was not proper for me, a lay person, to comment even briefly by directly quoting the Torah, as quotes should be stated exclusively by the rabbi.I believe, however, that lay people are to be encouraged to study and quote relevant passages from the Torah. Additionally, the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) encourages us to "... teach it (Torah) to your children, to speak of it in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you arise..." Thus, it seems the Shema is urging us all, including lay persons, to quote the Torah. My rabbi told me he was not bothered by my quoting Torah verses during these discussions, but I would also like to know your opinion.Name Withheld by Request

QUESTION: I am a kohen and will soon be traveling to Israel for the first time. I have been told that very often EL AL and other carriers transport remains for burial in Israel, and therefore I must check the flight. Is that so?

QUESTION: I do not understand the practice of blowing so many extra blasts of the shofar, as is done in most synagogues on Rosh Hashana. Is that not in violation of the command bal tosif, as stated in Deuteronomy (13:1), "You shall not add to [G-d's command-ments]"?Elliot Solomon(Via E-Mail)

QUESTION: Is it halachically permissible to pack on the Sabbath or Yom Tov for a trip to be taken on the next day?Moishe Halberstam, Esq.

QUESTION: Is it halachically permissible to pack on the Sabbath or Yom Tov for a trip to be taken on the next day?Moishe Halberstam, Esq.Brooklyn, NY

QUESTION: I have received the good news that I am going to be accepted as a full-fledged member of the Jewish people. The Beit Din informed me that the gerutwill become effective a short while before Rosh Chodesh Iyar (late May), during Sefirat HaOmer. Do I continue to count Sefira after my gerut as I have been doing before it? I was told that a similar topic was previously discussed in this column. Perhaps you can helpme with my specific situation. Avraham b. Avraham (via e-mail)

QUESTION: In my wife's family, women count Sefirat Haomer. This is something that I have not seen in my own family, although they are quite observant. As a newly married couple, we are quite confused.Please discuss this matter and explain.No name pleaseToronto, Ontario