Audio 1727 articles

Why did the Greeks defile the temple rather than destroy it. Why was it the kohanim who led the fight against the Greeks in the Chanukah story?

Chanukah doesn’t even make it into the mishna let alone Tanach and is completely removed from the concept of “sefer”, book. Why is the concept of “regel” central to Chanukah?

Why is Yosef after Moshe and Aharon in the order of Ushpizin? Why did the Tzedukim have a problem with Nisuch HaMayim more so than other rabbinic institutions? The connection between...

On Hoshana Rabbah we are vindicated from the accusations of the nations of the world. Why is the holiday that follows called Simchat Torah? What is the connection? Why does staying...

Sukkot was given before the sin of the Golden Calf. Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana only came about afterwards, as a result of the sin. How are they connected?

The proper attitude for doing for others is not “I have what to offer” but to do good because I want to do good. Whatever I have to offer is really...

The Arba Minim (4 species) – the lulav, etrog, aravot, and hadasim – represent our ability to perform and accomplish. The 7 Noahide laws represent the other nations’ ability to perform and...

The Rambam says Yom Kippur is “the edge” of teshuva “for all”. What does he mean by “for all”? At the beginning of hilchot teshuva, he says teshuva doesn’t have a specific...

The Torah uses “kapara” and “tahara” to describe Yom Kippur. It doesn’t use selicha or mechila. What is the process that begins on Rosh Hashanah that culminates on Yom Kippur with...

What is it about Yom Kippur that makes it different than all the other days of the year – even from Shabbos and Yom Tov? How is Yom Kippur similar to the first...