Holidays

Yom Hadin is almost here and this time of year brings with it a range of emotions. Some people are excited - a new year, the start of school, new clothing. For others, Rosh Hashanah instills fear - the need to correct wrongdoings, to beg for forgiveness and make promises to be better. For still others, there is a feeling of being overwhelmed - either by the awe of the Yom Hadin or perhaps the reality of so many days of Shabbos, Yom Tov, Shabbos (that's a lot of cooking and baking). We are often so busy taking care of all the “things" that need to be done, that we don’t have enough time for spiritual and emotional preparation. It feels like most years I come to Selichos feeling as if I haven't done enough to prepare.

Wishing everyone a joyous Purim!

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

Jews of the exile cannot truly understand Passover, a festival of national faith, of a free people returning from exile to their home.

SPECIAL FOR THE 7TH DAY OF PESACH

So many of us are caught in the hamster wheel of life--just get off for an instant to savor the moment

When we understand that the greatest expression of God's might is God's compassion, we open ourselves to receive the gift of Lives of Compassion. Once we have been granted Lives of Compassion; compassion for others and for ourselves we can become a society united in compassion, and wickedness will evaporate.

What is the relationship between Purim and Pisces? In what way is Purim related to fish?

Overview and laws of the Jewish national day of mourning.

Yom Kippur’s focus on forgiveness highlights humility, fallibility, soul-searching faith, compassion, thoughtfulness, being considerate, accepting responsibility and magnanimity.

The 10 year reign of Shlomtzion, one of only 2 women to rule over Judea, was peaceful & prosperous

An elderly carpenter was eagerly preparing for retirement. When he informed his employer/contractor of his plans, the employer asked him if he could do him a personal favor and build one more house before he left. After so many years of working together the carpenter felt he could not refuse, and so he begrudgingly agreed. It quickly became apparent that the carpenter’s heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and he used inferior quality materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career.

Ari Fuld uncovers and explores the real miracle and lessons of Chanukah.

Wishing you a healthy, challenging and rewarding year

Amalek is seared into Jewish consciousness as the ultimate enemy of Israel and the source of Haman

I beg you to ask yourself this question: Which sounds will ring in your children’s ears in the future when they think back to Pesach in their home? Will it be moans, groans, bitterness and complaints or will they remember the joyous sounds of an energized family eagerly preparing for a meaningful Yom Tov?

What is the connection between feeling more connected to God and having the Temple? And why does that require sacrifices?

Rabbi David Bar-Hayim argues it is time for Ashkenazim to abandon the prohibition against Kitnyot. What do you think?

Many of the so-called Western world leaders can also stand in for the false and power-hungry king who had no scruples about participating in the annihilation of millions of Jews.

The Rambam is referring to us.

my reply to those who seem to groan when they hear about the 40 days of Selichot, my answer is that I love them and look forward each year to reciting them

Many believe that Kol Nidre was created in response to the conversos’ plight and their need to nullify their conversion vows.

Reb Yisrael and his sons erected their sukkah adjacent to the kitchen door of their palatial home in one of the Five Towns, as they had done for many years in the past...

An inspiring story of Jewish sacrifice and commitment during the early days of Communism

Next Year in the rebuilt JerUSAlem

We are taught that only a cry accompanied by joy in our ability to cry to God can open our restraints; The cry must itself be an expression of restrained joy

Israel projects global material illumination not always the light of "morality" meant by the Navi

Kindness is greater than charity; we must open our homes to those in need of connection.

Ari Fuld discusses: What are we celebrating on Passover and what are the lessons to be learned?

Our mission is to make this Shavuos the next step in our evolutionary spiral through time. We must not only re-accept what we have already accepted, we must take it to the next level,