Judaism

Do We Deserve To Dance?

In Print Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss

If we have fallen short, does that mean we shouldn’t dance with the Torah? Of course not. What it does mean, however, is that when we hold onto the Torah, it should be with a renewed commitment to spend more time with it during the coming year.

Why Dance? Why Not Learn?

Parsha Rabbi Shmuel Butman

To cross the infinite gulf separating us – as finite created beings – from the infinite Creator, we need to nullify our sense of self-importance.

Kol Hane’arim

In Print Hodaya Lavie

The thunderous, urgently repeated “Ya’amod” precipitated a virtual kibbutz galuyos that made my heart skip a beat and my breath catch in my throat.

“Twin Mitzvos”

Parsha Rabbi Aba Wagensberg

The Vilna Gaon (cited in Sefer Kol HaTor 1:7) states that one's entire body is involved in two mitzvos: the mitzvah of sukkah and the mitzvah to dwell in the Land of Israel. (the GR"A does not mention Mikvah). It turns out that the mitzvah of sukkah and the mitzvah of living in Eretz Yisrael are like sister mitzvos.

Daf Yomi

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Spared Possible Punishments ‘Those Who Are New To The Ketores’ (Tamid 32b-33a)

Studying The Torah

In Print Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

Keriat haTorah, properly understood, is a performative act. It is a weekly recreation of the revelation at Mount Sinai. It is a covenant ratification ceremony like the one Moshe performed at Sinai:

5,000 Christians Show their Support for Israel at Jerusalem’s 64th Sukkot March

Holidays Eliana Rudee

“The whole world is learning that the gentiles can come celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with the people of Israel,” said spokesman David Parsons of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.

Shade Of Faith

Parsha Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser

A person only receives the amount of parnassah that was proclaimed for him in Heaven.

Look Up

Sivan Rahav-Meir Sivan Rahav-Meir

Chag Sameach

Chol Hamo’ed Sukkos

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Q & A: Should I Wear Tefillin On Chol HaMoed?

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: My custom is not to don tefillin on Chol HaMoed. What should I do if I go to a shul that has the opposite custom? M. Jakobowitz

Daf Yomi

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Guarding The Temple – Even Today ‘Kohanim Stationed in Three Places’ (Tamid 25b)

Redeeming Relevance: Sukkot: When Shul is Meant to Be Annoying

Redeeming Relevance / Rabbi Francis Nataf Rabbi Francis Nataf

Irritation leading to growth...

Far And Near

In Print Penina Metal

To my shock, you see, after 21 years of living and working in the U.K., Rivkie, Yossi, and family announced that they were returning to live in the U.S.

Terror Management Theory

In Print Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman

The first person to die in Tanach is Hevel, who is killed by his brother Kayin. Kayin’s name comes from the concept of acquisition.

Why Don’t We Say ‘Al Netilas Esrog’?

In Print Rabbi Shmuel Butman

Since the lulav’s special quality is expressed in the taste of its fruit (the date), why aren’t we required to take the fruit itself instead of its leaves?

Are Candles In The Sukkah A Fire Hazard?

In Print Tzvi Fishman

Some people make the blessing over the candles in the sukkah and then bring the candles into the house to avoid the danger of fire. This is a non-kosher practice, however.

Perhaps The Chofetz Chaim Never Imagined; But He Did Predict

In Print Rabbi Hanoch Teller

If the walls have ears (as the Midrash points out) then how much more so, human beings.

Why Do So Many People Not Sleep In A Sukkah?

In Print Rabbi Gil Student

Ashkenazic society for over 700 years has considered sleeping in the sukkah to be a chumrah, not a requirement.

The Universality Of Sukkot

In Print Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

It is almost as if Sukkot were two festivals, not one.

Power Of The Lulav

Columns Rabbi Raphael Fuchs

We see from this Midrash that the mitzvah of lulav is connected to the process of forgiveness of Yom Kippur. It is the final step that we must perform before Hashem can forgive all of our aveiros.

Making Money On Yom Tov

In Print Rabbi Meir Orlian

"Mrs. Stern plans to work on Yom Tov," Mrs. Alter said to her husband afterwards. "I tried to dissuade her, but she didn't pick up on it. Are we allowed to process the billing and keep our percentage?"

Peace At All Costs

In Print Rabbi Moshe Meir Weiss

In what manner was Aharon distinguished? Why were Klal Yisrael protected with Clouds of Glory in his merit?

Israel: G-d’s Gift To Our People

In Print Rabbi Mordechai Weiss

Each time, as I behold the majesty of our beautiful land of Israel, I wonder: How is it possible that some of our people cannot see what I see – the miracle of the existence of the State of Israel?

A Holiday Of Gathering

In Print Rabbi Reuven Chaim Klein

The Malbim argues that “asifah” connotes bringing inside what one has gathered, while “kovetz” connotes gathering without necessarily bringing inside.

‘Amen’ – Not A Simple Word

Parsha Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser

A person who responds “Amen” with all his might…has the power to open all the gates surrounding Gan Eden.

Q & A: Waving The Lulav

In Print Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: In which direction should a person wave the lulav first? Menachem

No, We’re Not Hypocrites

Sivan Rahav-Meir Sivan Rahav-Meir

Our soul wants, to be better, different, true. Now the soul prevails over the body, and in the last moments of this journey, we must take something with us, some 'soul food' for the road ahead.