Every year at this time our thoughts go back in time to an age of antiquity that beckons us to ponder the true meaning of what ”beginnings” are really all about. This is forced upon us by the … more

Given the events unfolding in Egypt, it is indeed timely that this week’s book review is about the relationship between the two protagonists who forged the first formal peace treaty between Israel … more

The new book by Rabbi Boruch Oppen of Cedarhurst, “Lessons Learned From My Children,” leaves the reader with practical lessons extracted from normal life occurrences. Rabbi … more

“Who gives snow like flakes of wool, Who scatters frost like ashes. … Who casts forth His ice like lumps — who can stand before His cold?” (Psalms 147:16-17) Yes, there is a spiritual message to the snow we have been experiencing in such excess. My interest in this matter was peaked recently by Rabbi Dr. Martin Cohen of Shelter Rock in an essay he wrote concerning snow referencing his favorite Kapital Tehillim, Psalm 147. more

Our Torah learning tradition is based upon the teaching of the Torah text with commentary. Without the commentary of our sages, the Torah text, standing alone, would not be understood. This … more

This week’s column features a special report from Targum Shlishi that should be of interest to many of our readers. It concerns a translation into Hungarian of a new exhibition that will be … more

In his preface to this week’s review selection, “The Power of Aleinu” by Rabbi Asher Baruch Wegbreit [Judaica Press, 2011], Rabbi Yisrael Reisman stated that, “It is the custom of Klal Yisrael to recite Aleinu in the middle of the Shemonah Esrei on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. more

Yes, Purim is indeed a serious holiday. Joyous, yes, but serious too. With the leap year commemorative of Purim Katan, the little Purim just observed and now behind us, it is time to start giving … more

Ir David, the City of David, the name of the area beyond the southern edge of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, is fast becoming one of the most visited sites in Jerusalem, thus warranting … more

According to the teachings of Rav Kook, while most blessings are of rabbinic origin, one of the most popular ones is to be found in this week’s parsha, Eikev: the Birkat HaMazon, Grace After … more