Ari Z. Zivotofsky

Rabbi Dr. Ari Zivotofsky is on the faculty of the Brain Science Program at Bar-Ilan University in Israel.

What’s the Truth about . . . Eliyahu HaNavi at the Seder?

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | March 15, 2013 in Passover

MISCONCEPTION: According to ancient tradition, Eliyahu HaNavi makes a furtive appearance at every Pesach Seder. FACT: There is no classical (Talmudic or midrashic) source stating that Eliyahu pays a… Read more

What’s the Truth About . . . Reading the Megillah on Purim Morning?

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | February 11, 2013 in Jewish Law

Misconception: Of the two Megillah readings on Purim, the one at night is the more important one. Therefore, one should be careful to attend the nighttime reading even if he or she will thereby miss… Read more

A Purim Afterthought

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | February 11, 2013 in Purim

Misconception: Mordechai and Esther, the Purim heroes, were uncle and niece. 1 Fact: According to Megillat Esther, Mordechai and Esther were first cousins. Background: This is a widespread… Read more

What’s the Truth about… “Mar Cheshvan” ?

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | October 16, 2012 in Jewish Law

Misconception: The complete and correct name for the month following Tishrei is Cheshvan, and it is a quaint tradition to call it Mar Cheshvan because it is bitter (Hebrew: mar) due to its lack of… Read more

What’s the Truth About…Fasting and Wearing Leather on Yom Kippur?

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | September 18, 2012 in Jewish Law

Misconception: It is prohibited to wear leather items, such as a leather belt or yarmulke, on Yom Kippur and Tishah B’Av. FACT: Only leather shoes are prohibited on Yom Kippur and Tishah B’Av. One is… Read more

What’s the Truth about . . . Kissing the Mezuzah?

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | August 24, 2012 in Jewish Law

Misconception: There is a Talmudic source for the common practice of kissing the mezuzah upon entering and exiting a room. Fact: There is no Talmudic source obligating one to kiss the mezuzah,… Read more

What’s the Truth About…Seudah Shelishit?

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | December 7, 2011 in Jewish Law

Misconception: One can fulfill the obligation to eat Seudah Shelishit (The Third Meal) on Shabbat by studying Torah in lieu of eating. FACT: The third Shabbat meal, Seudah Shelishit (colloquially… Read more

What’s the Truth About…Rashi’s Daughters?

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | May 26, 2011 in Jewish Law

MISCONCEPTION: Rashi’s daughters wore tefillin. FACT: There is no evidence that Rashi’s daughters wore tefillin. BACKGROUND: Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki, known colloquially as “Rashi,” is the commentator… Read more

What’s the Truth about . . . the Parah Adumah?

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | August 11, 2010 in Jewish Law

MISCONCEPTION: The person who sprinkles the ashes of a parah adumah (“red heifer”) on a tamei (ritually impure) person becomes tamei himself. FACT: Most of the people involved in preparing the ashes… Read more

What’s the Truth about . . . a Jew with a Tattoo Being Buried in a Jewish Cemetery?

by Ari Z. Zivotofsky | May 13, 2010 in Jewish Law

MISCONCEPTION: A Jew with a tattoo may not be buried in a Jewish cemetery. FACT: This belief has no basis in Jewish law. Just as a Jew who violated other Torah laws may be buried in a Jewish cemetery,… Read more

Ari Z. Zivotofsky

Join our Email list!

Food

Jewish World

Books