Yes, it’s that wonderful time of year again. With Chanukah upon us, the Kosher Bookworm once again offers suggestions for holiday readings and gift giving. “The Seven Fruits of the … more

By Alan Jay Gerber Issue of Dec. 19, 2008 / 22 Kislev 5769 With Chanukah just around the corner,I bring you three more books for your reading pleasure. Each one is of a distinct literary … more

Comments by two friends of mine concerning the link between the recently deceased former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher and the Jewish people prompts this week’s review; this time, a review of essays, not of books. more

Last month witnessed a steep uptick in the number and frequency of terrorist incidents in both Jerusalem and the country at large. These acts of terror are true to their title, terror, in terms … more

This week, Priority-1 will host its 23rd annual Motzei Shabbos Tanach shiur on Psalms 46 and 47, with its veteran maggid shiur, Dr. Alex Bruckstein. Psalm 47 should be familiar to most of us as … more

There are many high quality commentaries and translations on the Book of Exodus. Here are two that deserve your attention. “Redeeming Relevance In The Book Of Exodus” (Urim … more

The Kosher Bookworm by Alan Jay Gerber Issue of January 22, 2010/ 7 Shvat 5770 As in past years, a number of high quality new commentaries and translations are newly available on the Book of … more

The Kosher Bookworm by Alan Jay Gerber Issue of August 27, 2010/ 17 Elul 5770 Imagine: Selicot before Labor Day. This is what we will be experiencing this year. School begins earlier this … more

At last week’s Saturday night Chanukah presentation at the Young Israel of Woodmere, Rabbi David Fohrman, of Woodmere, contrasted the Purim and Chanukah Al Hanisim prayers that we say after the Modim liturgical work, each themed to a thanksgiving to G-d. “In the Al Hanisim prayer for Purim, we give thanks for the miracle of being saved, and that’s it. The prayer ends with a recounting of the salvation itself. However, for Chanukah, it doesn’t end there. Instead, the prayer concludes with an epilogue: and we establish these days, as days of thanks and praise.” more

With Shavuot now behind up, we restart our learning of Pirkei Avot, beginning with the first chapter. Thus, it is most opportune to bring to your attention a new commentary by Rabbi Marc Angel, a … more