The exact origins of Kol Nidrei are lost in the sands of time. One of the earliest sources regarding our present practice is found in a responsum of Rav Natronai Gaon. It is quoted in the commentary of Rabbeinu Asher ben Yechiel, known as the “Rosh,” to Talmud Bavli, Yoma, 8:28: more

In our tradition, the High Holidays are viewed as a time period when all of humanity, not just its Jews, are judged for the coming year. more

To the Editor: The article “ Charity Watchdog Downgrades Leading Nonprofits”[Jewish Star, Sept. 28] reflects the realities of the heightened scrutiny to which all charitable organizations are now subjected. The past few years have seen the requisites with which the non-profits must comply significantly ramped up, and what sufficed a year ago will not necessarily constitute compliance today. more

To paraphrase Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, “Lord I know we are your chosen people, but once in a while, can’t you have Mel Gibson choose someone else?” more

Judaica Press has recently reissued the classic, “The Practical Guide To Teshuvah” by Rabbi Shaul Wagschal as an apt companion to Rabbi Wegbreit’s sefer. 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

Dear Aviva, My wife is pregnant and I feel like she is a different person! She blames it on the hormones and being pregnant, but it’s really taking a toll on me. According to her, I’m always either saying the wrong things, looking at her the wrong way, or I smell bad. Whatever I say or do seems to just anger her more and it’s frustrating for me, not to mention I don’t want to be around her! I want my wife back! -Sad (soon-to-be) Dad more

More than what he was saying, it was his face that caught my attention. Flicking on the television absent-mindedly as I was getting dressed for a wedding, I came across the middle of a program on what, after a moment, I realized was a story from the Second Lebanon War. more

The very word itself, teshuvah, brings to mind the very essence of the element and experience of spiritual return. Teshuvah is the experience of returning, not to the good old days, but rather to a new world experience, one that is G-d centered and ordered. more

The Talmud in Kiddushin (40b) has a fascinating passage describing the merits process, which is quite applicable to this time of year. more