Rabbi Wagensberg on Succos: “A Tale of Two Succos”
In the past, a question came to mind that had been bothering me regarding Succos. My difficulty was with respect to the Succah itself. I...
You Do What on Pesach??
Surprisingly enough, there are even those who avoid matza over Pesach, eating only the required amount at the Seder.
A Hanukkah contemplation: ‘To Another Year’
To lead meaningful Jewish lives, our personal journeys must be actively shaped by the events and populated by the personalities of our peoples’ past.
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 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.
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) Guide for the Perplexed, 2017
Sukkot has played a key role in the reconstruction of the Jewish Homeland and the ingathering of Jews – and their transition - to the Land of Israel.
SHVII SHEL PESACH: The Essential Bones of Yoseph
SPECIAL FOR THE 7TH DAY OF PESACH
Purim: Concealing and Revealing
Does Hashem ever go away and not pay attention to us?
‘In Every Generation They Try To Destroy Us…’
Amazingly, each and every blade was green and moist as if it was just freshly cut.
Reflecting on Kol Nidre
Sometimes terrible things – things like the Akeidah – actually unlock our potential and make us far greater than we otherwise would be.
The Most Calamitous Jewish Day of the Year
The 9th Day of Av Guide for the Perplexed
Jewish Press Radio: Journey Into Passover
Special Pesach edition kicks off with Yishai and Malkah sharing the story of their own inspiring journey into Pesach 5772. Then Yishai is joined by Shmuel Sackett, the International Director of Manhigut Yehudit, who tells the moving story of his personal discussions with Jonathan Pollard during visits to see him in prison. The third segment of this week’s show features the true meaning of Pesach, presented by David Sacks, a television writer and producer for The Simpsons, 3rd Rock From the Sun, and more. Finally, Yehuda HaKohen talks about how love breeds courage and destroys fear, and gives an example with a masterful presentation of the history of the Lehi movement.
Yom Kippur Guide for the Perplexed, 2017
Wishing all our readers a meaningful Yom Kippur.
The Great Yiddishkeit Adventure
Jews of the exile cannot truly understand Passover, a festival of national faith, of a free people returning from exile to their home.
Letting Go of the ‘Old; Israel: A Talmudic Insight about 70 years
Israel fully understands that with power and wealth comes responsibility; it does not panic every time it is criticized; and can finally plan for the next 70 years instead of worrying about the next 70 days.
Kitnyot: Truly a “Has-Bean”
This is one of those posts that falls into the category of “If only I had the power to……..”
19 Ways you Know it’s Passover in Israel
If you've never heard an Arab calling out “alter zachen” (“old things”) in Yiddish, then you've never experienced pre-Passover preparations in Jerusalem. It's part of the clean-up mania that grips the city in the run-up to the holiday.
Purim: Guide for the Perplexed 2023
Purim Sameach
Pesach – The Holiday of Freedom
All the commentaries ask why Hashem focuses on the Exodus as opposed to saying, “I am Hashem who created the entire world.”
Aleph Beta: “Your Children Will Come Home” – The Hope Beyond the Tears of...
How is it that Rachel’s tears evoke such a powerful response from God? If we can make sense of this passage, it may be able to shed light on our process of mourning on Tisha B’Av, and help our tears and grief become a catalyst for action.
Yom Kippur: Guide for the Perplexed
Yom Kippur’s focus on forgiveness highlights humility, fallibility, soul-searching faith, compassion, thoughtfulness, being considerate, accepting responsibility and magnanimity.
Everything You Didn’t Know About Charoset
The other purpose of charoset is symbolic. The traditional ingredients of the charoset mixture – nuts, figs, and apples – are used in Scripture to describe the Jewish people.
Practical Strategies To Be Inscribed For A Good Year
The pasuk implies that only after Hashem extends his rachamim to this person and he is able to remain a compassionate person, will Hashem have rachmanus on him.
Lag B’Omer Trivia
Some Lag BaOmer trivia you may not know.
Never To Early To Say ‘I’m Sorry’
Sometimes “tomorrow” never comes. Sometimes it is too late, but it is never “too soon,” never too early to own up to one’s failings and errors.
Ari Fuld on the Holidays | Passover: Freedom vs. Responsibility – 5778 (2018)
Ari Fuld discusses: What are we celebrating on Passover and what are the lessons to be learned?
The Lulav: Prosecutor Or Defendant?
The thief took his advice and did so. Yet, when the official got up to speak, he informed the court of all the horrible things the highwayman did to him.