Chanukah, the time of year when it’s actually acceptable to eat foods prepared in oil, gamble and expect gifts every night for eight nights. Let’s be honest, how many of us really take the time to learn about the history, interesting and unknown facts and folklore of Chanukah. more

Tragedy has struck. Aharon’s two older sons are dead, victims of their own efforts in bringing a ‘strange fire’ into the Mishkan. Now their corpses must be removed from a room only their father and brothers may enter, yet these very people are the ones who are prevented from entering because they have a job to do, and responsibilities which can not fall by the wayside – the inevitable outcome of their becoming “tameh” through contact with the deceased. more

In the Midrash Rabba’s introduction to Megillat Eichah (paragraph 4), Rabbi Abahu compares the experience of the nation of Israel in the land and being exiled to the experience of the first identified man in the Torah, Adam. “Like Adam, they violated the covenant.” Adam was placed in the garden, was commanded, he violated the command, was judged, expelled, and G-d lamented over his downfall. Israel had the same experience: brought into Israel, commanded, they violated the command, they were judged and expelled. G-d lamented over their downfall. more

At a recent meeting with Fatah leaders in Ramallah, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stated what Israel and Israel’s true supporters have been claiming is his position for a very long time: “We don’t accept the Jewish state or the Jewishness of the state.… This is something that we won’t accept.” This is a position taken by Palestinian and Moslem leaders throughout the Middle East since Israel was declared a country in 1948. The news is that it fails to raise eyebrows or concern among the liberal media and those who profess to support Israel while claiming that Israel is the obstacle to peace in the region. more

Our Torah columnists — Rabbis Binny Freedman and Avi Billet — this week zero in on Parsha Ki Tisa. And Kosher Bookworm Alan Jay Gerber introduces us to Rabbi Moshe Walter. more

“This is how I want to be—without fear. Independent. I want to be like a bird. I want to spread my wings.” So reads part of the description beneath one of the 30 paintings on display until the end of May at the ZOA House in Tel Aviv. The collection represents the first-ever art exhibit of its kind: an exhibit created entirely by Israelis in treatment for eating disorders. more

Strolling through Jerusalem’s historic Yemin Moshe quarter on a pleasant August morning, my ears caught a ringing, melodic sound emanating from within the walls of the Old City, perhaps half a mile from where I stood. This being a Sunday, the sound I heard was the chiming of church bells, welcoming Christian worshippers to morning services. more

EVERY THURSDAY — LUNCH & LEARN with Rabbi Shalom Ax- elrod of YI Woodmere. Traditions Restaurant, 302 Central Ave., Lawrence. 12:30-1:30 pm. $12 lunch. Alan Stern … more

Great Play! What more can a child want? Woodmere’s new “Great Play Interactive Gym for Kids” is a present that keeps on giving, with fun-filled age-appropriate … more

By Meghan Barr, AP Does Pamela Geller regret organizing the Prophet Muhammad cartoon contest that ended in gunfire? No, the Hewlett Harbor native says confidently. In fact, she says, she … more