From: Steven Dear Rabbi, If the succah is about rejoicing before G‑d with the bounty of one’s harvest, what message does it have for the poor, or for those with little harvest? Dear Steven, This is a very interesting question! But certainly the Torah has a message for all. Let’s see in more detail what[…]
From: Norman Dear Rabbi, I have noticed in previous years at synagogue on Yom Kippur that many people wear white clothes, or a type of white robe, and sometimes even white shoes. What’s that all about? I imagine it has something to do with appearing pure before the Almighty, but any additional explanation you can[…]
From: Jacob Dear Rabbi, Summer vacation is here. In our family, the girls have been on break from school for a while. The boys will be going on break soon. Everyone’s on break but my wife and I. And we feel we’re about to break. We certainly love our kids, and always (theoretically) look forward[…]
From: Ken Dear Rabbi, My wife and I are both professionals, work all week indoors, and don’t get to see each other, or our children very much. We are very much challenged by the idea of observing Shabbat indoors, first in shul, then in the house. We need to get out with our kids, be[…]
From: Jason Dear Rabbi, What is the reason for reciting Song of Songs on Passover. What’s the connection? Dear Jason, It is customary to read Song of Songs on the first night of Passover at the end of the Seder. In the Diaspora where the Seder is repeated on the second night, the reading of[…]
From: Rachel Dear Rabbi, Wine is used throughout the Jewish year for different occasions and for different purposes. It’s my understanding that any type and color of wine can be used for these different occasions. Is this so regarding the four cups at the Seder, or must they be red? Dear Rachel, The mitzva of[…]
From: Marcell Dear Rabbi, Must the search for chametz before Passover be done only with a candle? If so, why? If not, what else can be used? Thanks. Dear Marcell, The search for chametz is performed by the light of a single candle. A torch which has many wicks, or a large flame, may not[…]
From: Glenda Dear Rabbi, Could you please comment on the relationship between the Menora of the Temple and the menora of Chanuka? I know there are differences, but I can’t help from feeling there are similarities as well. Dear Glenda, One of the reasons that the Chanuka menora is so beloved is that it is[…]
From: Matt Dear Rabbi, On Yom Kippur, why do we have the custom of saying the phrase recited after the “Shema” out loud when we usually recite it in a whisper? Or why do we usually say it in a whisper if on Yom Kippur we say it out loud? Dear Matt, When reciting the[…]
From: Melanie Dear Rabbi, Why is Rosh Hashana considered the Day of Judgment and what exactly is being judged and how? Dear Melanie, Rosh Hashana was ordained as a day of judgment for two reasons: The first is that on this day, the first day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, the creation of the[…]