Our 21st century minds may find the purification process of the metzora unsettling. "Take two live birds, cedar wood, scarlet and hyssop. Have one bird killed in an earthen vessel over running water. Dip the remaining items (including the other live bird) in the blood of the first bird. Sprinkle the mixture on the one being purified, then let the live bird go free." (14:4-7) more

The annual Manischewitz cook-off is more than food; it is a media spectacle with celebrity chef judges, public officials, and journalists from newspapers, magazines, television stations, and blogs covering this national live cooking competition. more

Longtime Queens’ lawmaker Nettie Mayersohn retired on April 1, after voting on the state budget. Her departure marks the end of a 28-year State Assembly career, and while the governor has not called for an election to fill her seat, there is a strong likelihood that her chief of staff Michael Simanowitz will be the next representative for Kew Gardens Hills, Richmond Hill, and Forest Hills in Albany. more

As with every year, this year being no different, we are witness to the issuance of new commentaries on the Haggadah that serve to help enrich our appreciation of the annual observance of the Pesach Seder. more

Rabbi Yerachmiel Yisrael Yitzchak of Alexander, Poland explained the following rabbinic passage in a most creative and instructive manner. The rabbis taught, “[Tzara’at] blemishes come upon a person on account of the sin of lashon hara” (Erachin 15b and other places). The rabbi of Alexander explained that those who speak Lashon Hara are often altruistic in intent. more

“Hello Ahmed, this is Mahmed. Sorry to call on your cell phone number but it’s important; we have a little problem, do you have a moment?” Mahmed answers Ahmed. “Sure habibi tell me what’s going on.” Ahmed explains, “I’m proceeding with the boycott campaign against the Jews and Israel just like we planned.” Ahmed interrupts. “Very good, how is the Facebook page coming along?” Mahmed says, “Well that’s the problem. more

The April Issue of Playboy features Helen Thomas. I assure you that Thomas’ appearance is this month’s Playboy interview is offensive and obscene without any pictorials involved. more

You say Shma with your children and tuck them into their beds. After a tiring day of work, you have almost reached your day’s end as well, and soon you flick off your own light and climb into your warm, inviting bed. House lights are turning out one by one throughout your neighborhood until the whole town is sleeping in undisturbed darkness, peace, and serenity. more

As the final lines of Megillat Esther were read in shuls across the country, kosher distributors, manufactures and grocery stores did not hear the words “He sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace for all their descendants,” but rather the fusillade report of pistols signaling the official start of the Passover shopping season. more

Dear Aviva, With Purim now behind us, I am starting to get my usually Post-Purim/Pre-Pesach anxiety attacks. I get so nervous and panicked about having to clean and cook and organize for Pesach, and every time I think, of all that I have to do, I get so overwhelmed. I either don’t do anything at all or take my anxiety out on my family by yelling about some trivial thing. How do I stay calm these next few weeks? I wish I could wiggle my nose and have Pesach get done for me. more