Holidays

Dear Gary, As Pesach approaches, I get worried because I want to have a great Yom Tov, and yet, every year, the seder ends in some sort of fighting and arguing. My husband wants the seder to be all about divrei Torah and so do I, but between the younger children (who we want to be awake for the whole seder) and guests, we somehow end up in stern looks and squabbles. I'm happy we have guests or else we'd probably start yelling at each other and even Eliyahu Hanavi would bail. I know everyone jokes about how tough Pesach is, but I can't see the humor anymore – and neither can my children. What can we do to manage a calm (I don't even wish for happy) seder? A Sad Mom

On Sukkot we are told to be joyful, but why should we be more joyful on Sukkot than any other holiday, and what is the message for us today?

"The more you draw yourself to G-d, the more you must realize how far you are from Him. When a person believes that he has succeeded in achieving closeness to G-d and understanding of Him, it is a sign that he does not know anything at all." (Likutey Moharan I, 63)

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.

One can drink up to the Talmud's criterion to confuse Mordechai and Haman-but not beyond.

Marror is the reliving of the bitter enslavement and matzah is the under-eighteen-minutes redemption.

Some background-History, Halacha, hidden truths. Happy Purim to all!

Thoughts on the holy chag of Lag Ba'Omer.

Asara B’Teves, the 10th of Teves, commemorates the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian ruler Nebuchadnezzar that ultimately culminated with the First Temple’s destruction on the 9th of Av the following year.

"A Yid has hope. This Yarmulke gave me hope during the Holocaust.”

Chag Sameach!

On Shavuot, the Nation of Israel approached the Temple rejoicing in our blessings, rejoicing in each others' blessings; In Rashi's famous words, "As one person, with one heart."

On Rosh Hashanah, one is expected to plan a spiritual and behavioral road map for the entire year. So when one hears the shofar blow,the trip begins

Lag BaOmer marks the date of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai's death. So why is it such a celebration?

Purim Sameach

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This is one of those posts that falls into the category of “If only I had the power to……..”

Through this pleasant and special light, may we merit to continue to illuminate and enlighten ourselves and others, long after Channukah is over

The Rambam is referring to us.

Our Purim Supplement for 2020

Rules and guidance for the Jewish national period of mourning.

I always found it quite incredible that the first mitzvah that we are called upon to do as Jews at the beginning of the year is to listen. To pay attention to exactly what it is that Jewish destiny is about.

The temporary structure of the Sukkah highlights the historical significance of the permanent Jewish State in the Land of Israel Chag Sameach!

The great Jewish mistake was thinking the more we became like others, the more accepted we'd become

On this day we learn to not only look at tragic events, but also on what led up to them. This is all the more important when talking about the Holocaust

No laundries, no showers, no swimming, and no pastrami sandwiches. It seems like the big expression during the Nine Days is: "Just say no!" Please allow me, therefore, to change things up a bit. Here is a list of things you can say "yes" to during this period.

All agree that the Chanukah candles represent insights

Look into the darkness, to search for the source of faithful illumination that can guide us along the path of spiritual integrity.  The flames of the Chanukah menorah shine bright out of the deepest darkness, when the days are shortest and the cold of winter has descended.

The Lemba tribe (Southern Africa) have an oral tradition they're descendants of Israel's Lost Tribes

I believe we need to get back to the basics. Holiness is something we should embrace rather than stray from, and thus we should "look" for more opportunities to become holy rather then stay "safely" away from it. True, with every act of holiness comes restrictions and I can already feel the backache of cleaning the pantry from Chametz. But shall this hardship turn Pesach into the Holiday of misfortune rather than happiness?