How does the performance of Mitzvoth sanctify us?

The Seder night is the yearly exhibition of Jewish Education in the home. We discuss the four types of children that make up Jewish families, their questions, and some answers. As we sing and eat our way through the night, there are plenty of customs and rituals to give definition and meaning to the evening(s). I would […]

At the conclusion of the Megillah reading both at night and in the morning on Purim we say a prayer called “Shoshanat Yaakov – The Rose of Jacob”. This small paragraph reiterates the conclusion of Megillat Esther as well as restates the who’s who of the  “heroes and villains” of the Purim story. As you […]

A special Chanukah tip explores the meaning of Maoz Tzur.

“תהילת ה’ ידבר פי ויברך כל בשר שם קדשו לעולם ועד – May my mouth declare the praise of Hashem and may all flesh bless His Holy name forever and ever” The Etz Yosef notes that the future tenseידבר  seems incorrect. Since this is the conclusion of Psalm 145/Ashrei, the verse perhaps should have read […]

שומר ה’ את כל אהביו ואת כל הרשעים ישמיד

“רצון יראיו יעשה, ואת שועתם ישמע ויושיעם – He will do the will of those that fear Him, and from their cries He will hear and provide salvation.” The Ibn Ezra remarks that unlike an earthly king that views his role as merely sparing his loyal subjects from harm, G-d, the King of Kings actually […]

“ קרוב ה’ לכל קראיו, לכל אשר יקראהו באמת  – G-d is close to all who call unto Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” The Ibn Ezra remarks that if an earthly king is distant from his subjects, he will be unable to respond to their needs. However Hashem is always as […]

“צדיק ה’ בכל דרכיו וחסיד בכל מעשיו – Hashem is just in all ways and kindly in all deeds.” The Etz Yosef explains that this verse demonstrates that G-d’s interaction with humanity is sometimes commensurate with the behavior of the individual, and sometimes Hashem gifts us with more than we deserve. There are people who […]

The time honored custom of the people of Israel is to announce the date and time of the new moon the Shabbat before it arrives. The reason it is done in Synagogue on Shabbat is simply because it is the time of the week when the most congregants are present. Last week the Jewish people […]