In most of our prayer books, the English translation of the daily recitation of the Akeidah lacks an extensive commentary. A recently issued commentary on the weekday Shacharit service, “The Siddur Illuminated By Chassidus” [Kehot 2013], by Rabbi Eliyahu Touger and Rabbi Sholom Ber Wineberg, is an exception, providing us with an informed and well-written analysis that would serve us well for this coming Shabbat Vayera and the annual Torah reading of the Akeidah: more

November 2013 will be a month to remember. Consider the following: •Nov. 9-10 marks the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht. •Nov. 19 marks the 150th anniversary of Pres. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. •Nov. 22 marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy. •Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day, is the first day of Chanukah. Starting this week, this column will attempt to give a literary spin to these events and cite several books to convey a better understanding of their historical, and if relevant, religious, significance. more

A unique relationship has existed for some time between President Bill Clinton and Rabbi Menachem Genack. The relationship, literary in nature, resulted recently in the publication of an interesting work of 100 essays that were sent by the rabbi to Clinton, many written by the rabbi, and an almost equal number written by many prominent contemporary thinkers reflecting upon the issues of the day, both spiritual and civic. more

Imagine a singular commentary on just three verses of the Bible, the first three verses from the Book of Genesis, Parashat Bereishit, that we read in shul this past Shabbat. This singular commentary, authored by Rabbi Yosef Bitton — “Awesome Creation: A Study of the First Three Verses of the Torah” [Gefen Publishing House, 2013] — is an extensive textual analysis that delves into the deeper meaning of one of the most fascinating sagas of both religious and human history, the creation of the world. more

“Sukkot is the Jewish calendar’s season of joy. This is true on many levels. Spiritually, we have emerged from Yom Kippur newly unburdened of our sins. Materially, the overflowing granaries attest to a successfully concluded growing season. And nationally, the pilgrimage to Jerusalem brings together all the diverse communities to reaffirm their devotion to One G-d and one destiny. With spirited anticipation, the throngs of Jews proceed to the Beis HaMikdash (Temple), to bask in the aura of the Shechinah (Presence of G-d) that rests at the center of the world.” more

“Nothing shakes up the kishkas as much as the confessions of Yom Kippur. “So intrinsic are they to Yom Kippur that they are supposed to appear in every service — ten times in all, which is thought to correspond to the ten times the high priest invoked the Tetragrammaton in confessing for himself, his household, and the whole people on Yom Kippur.” So teaches us, Rabbi Reuven Kimmelman in a recent essay entitled, “Confession and Its Discontents” [“Sin and Confession in Judaism” Jewish Lights, 2012]. more

With the observance of Rosh Hashanah now upon us, this week’s essay will be devoted to several observations of this most beloved and respected holidays of our faith. Whereas in other faiths and cultures the welcoming of a new year is marked with revelry and unbridled joy, in Judaism the mood is solemn, and the observance is sober in diet as well as liturgical tone. more

It is my pleasure and honor to bring to your attention the recent publication of the fifth volume of “The Encyclopedia of the Taryag Mitzvoth” series focusing on those mitzvoth concerning all the major holiday observances. This review will center on observances germane to the Days of Awe, and Succos. more

This week’s essay will focus upon some timely observations and precious words to learn and study for the remainder of the month of Elul. Rabbi Avi Shafran is perhaps one of the most perceptive observers of the Jewish scene today and the following observation by him deserves your attention: “For those who take this time of the Jewish year seriously — and all of us should — Elul’s days can be daunting...." more

This week’s essay is dedicated to the memory of my dear neighbor, Dr. Jacob Mozak who would have been 100 years old this week. 1913, one hundred years ago, is the subject of a very interesting book entitled, “1913: In Search of the World Before The Great War,” by Charles Emmerson [Public Affairs, 2013]. Designed as a city-by-city survey of events prominent to each that year, the author gives us a unique historical panorama of a world on the brink of a military and political disaster. more