Stories from the Talmud about Repentance
“Midrashim” about “Teshuvah,” Repentance “Midrashim” are stories and ideas from sections of the Talmud not dealing directly with aspects of Jewish Law. The stories are either true stories about famous or...
What are Sin and Repentance?
“Sin” or “Chet” in Hebrew, means “failure in our relationship with HaShem (G-d).” Our goal should be to continually move closer to G-d, But “chet” is behavior which causes us to...
Three Levels of Forgiveness
(based on a “Tomer Devorah” class by Rabbi Yaacov Haber) There are three Hebrew synonyms: “Selichah,” “Mechilah,” and “Kapparah,” all related to the idea of “forgiveness.” What does each mean? “Selichah,”...
About Work Restrictions
All Jewish holidays and observances, with the exception of some fasts, begin on the evening previous to the first day. Except as noted, all require special additional prayers and services are...
Yonah’s Flight from Destiny
Towards the climax of Yom Kippur, we are instructed by Chazal to focus our attention on the reading of the entire Book of Yonah. Why did our Sages see fit to...
The 13 Attributes of Mercy
‘And God passed before him and proclaimed…’ Rabbi Yochanan said: Were it not written in the text, it would be impossible for us to say such a thing; this verse teaches...
The Ten Days of Repentance: 2 Types of Teshuva
Although the mitzva of teshuva (repentance) is of a universal nature, and therefore not limited to any specific time period, the ten days from Rosh Hashanah until Yom Kippur are singled...
The Role Of The Kohen Gadol (High Priest) In...
The Kohen Gadol is forbidden to enter the Kodesh HaKodashim (Holy of Holies) in his regular, golden-thread priestly vestments . Rather, special white garments are required for Yom...
Yonah Q&A
Questions Why do we read the Book of Yonah on Yom Kippur? How long was Yonah inside the fish? What did the sailors do when they saw their ship floundering in...
Yom Kippur Q&A
Questions Passover commemorates the going out of Egypt. Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah. What historical event can Yom Kippur be said to commemorate? For what kinds of sins does...
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