Seeing that his daughter was having difficulties dealing with life’s challenges, her father boiled a carrot, an egg, and coffee. To which of these are you similar, he asked: to the carrot, which … more

There are two mitzvoth for which we know the reward; the reward of “long life” is promised for shiluach ha’kan (sending a mother bird from her nest before collecting her eggs) and kibud av va’em (honoring one’s father and mother). more

I remember the first Mishnah I ever learned, and it wasn’t in a classroom. (The Mishnah is the basic text of the oral tradition, as codified and edited by rabbi Yehuda Ha’Nasi circa 200 C.E.) The synagogue we attended when I was five years old had a strict decorum, and I recall the challenges this presented to my parents; vague images of my red-faced and embarrassed father carrying me out of synagogue kicking and screaming come to mind. more

Nechama Leibowitz was fond of teaching her students to find the “milah mancha” – a shoresh (root noun or verb), word or phrase that appears numerous times in a given section. In Parshat Ki Tavo, a surprising “milah mancha” is the root of the word “simcha,” meaning joy. While the word only appears in three contexts, each instance brings its own set of immeasurable valuable lessons. more

In a recent essay, scholar Dr. Israel Drazin made the following observation: “Many rabbis write books based on Torah verses, which they use as a backdrop for their ideas about contemporary society and the application of what they consider moral principles to various modern problems.” more

Back to school, those dreaded three words....to kids, that is. Most parents can be seen dancing in the streets come the first day of school. Of course we, as parents, deal with all the issues leading up to the first day of school. Will our kids be with their friends? Will they have the best teacher? Will the kid that tormented them last year, hopefully, be put in another class? more

As the clock approaches midnight this Saturday Evening, Jewish communities around the globe will gather to plead for G-d’s ear and forgiveness. more

Sept 8 PRE-SELICHOT PROGRAM Lido Beach Synagogue Oscar Nominated Israeli Film entitled: “FOOTNOTE” at 10:00 p.m. Discussion will follow Refreshments will be served Selichot Service will follow at midnight Conducted by Cantor Yaakov Roston. Lido Beach Synagogue is located at Lido Boulevard and Fairway Road. more

I’ve been very teary this week, reacting strongly to beginnings and ends. I’ve felt my heart expand with joy and also break a little with sadness. There are airport arrivals and departures, the start of adventures, the end of an era, loved ones leaving while others return. more

New York City Council member Dan Halloran and Rabbi Yona Metzger, Israel’s Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi, met with rabbis and local activists to discuss Israel, circumcision, and other issues at a Queens parlor meeting Tuesday night. more