Our holy Torah is composed of both halachic (legal) and narrative portions. While there is usually nearly universal consensus that a particular law exists, halachic passages are often the focus of diverse interpretations regarding their pragmatic application. Thus, an entire genre of Jewish literature has arisen whose sole purpose is to determine the practical ramifications of both Torah and Rabbinic laws. In many ways, the creation of this unique and dynamic body of literature has continued unabated since, at the moment of the Sinaitic Revelation, our forebears declared “Naaseh v’nishmah” (“We will do and we will accept,” Sefer Shemot 24:7). more

In the first Nissan month following the Exodus, the Torah tells us that the Israelites observed Passover, bringing the Korban Pesach (Paschal lamb offering) at its proper time (Chapter 9). The tale that follows is of a group of people, who were unable to participate in the Korban Pesach on account of their being in a state of tumah (a spiritual state of impurity). more

Dear Editor, I was pleased to read your article about Dr. Eyal Gur [FIDF helps Israeli veteran MD run, bike and hike, May 17]. Dr. Gur for many years had been a member of Beit Halochem, the sports and rehabilitation centers of the Zahal Disabled Veteran Organization. This is the organization that is supported by the FIDV 5Towns 5K. In the past he had even been a speaker for Beit Halochem. more

Six months into his second administration, Barack Obama’s presidency has become overrun with scandal. The events of the past two weeks; the Benghazi hearings, the news about twelve revisions of the Benghazi talking points, the IRS scandal and the Justice Department’s attack on freedom of the press via the AP phone records, is a lot of “distractions” for an administration during the course of a four-year-term, however these three all flared up in a one week period. Presidents tend to have problems their second term--but Obama’s second term problems seemed jacked up on steroids. more

For most of our readers, the name Nathan Lopes Cardozo has a non-Jewish, exotic ring. Nevertheless, when you read on you will discover that with his name comes a gentleman whose legacy and ancestry bespeaks of a personal history that legends are made of. more

I am a mother, passionate about anything having to do with my daughter, what I put in her mouth, on her body, and basically the environment I surround her in. I am no doctor, allergist or expert, I am “just” a mom … of a child with severe food allergies. more

Ms. Trisha Kraker, a Kulanu special education teacher, and her students celebrated Earth Day by planting a tree in Kulanu’s Center for Special Services side yard. more

On the second day of Shavuot last year, 24-year-old Rebekah Frucht unfortunately left this world, causing great heartache to all those who knew her. On May 7, a gathering in her memory was held at the Young Israel of Woodmere. more

The rabbis and members of 45 synagogues from the Five Towns and Rockaways will gather this Sunday outside the White Shul to show respect and unity at a mass funeral for 12 Torah scrolls from local shuls damaged by Hurricane Sandy. more

On the eve of Tuesday’s school board elections, Lawrence trustee Dr. David Sussman — who was running unopposed — both decried the “negative allegations” reverberating in the community and looked forward optimistically. more