Each year, during the Nine Days, I marvel at the number of people waiting on line at the kosher dairy restaurants around town. Many of these people don’t tend to eat out often during the … more

I am focusing again on the teachings of Rav Shalom Noach Berezovsky, the Slonimer Rebbe zt’’l, this time from a new volume titled, “Nesivos Shalom on the Torah” … more

Way back in Medieval Germany, dumplings were a culinary innovation, only recently arrived from Asia. These were simple, doughy balls. They weren’t filled with meat, potatoes or cheese; they … more

Every practical person who is about to open a retail store, and everyone in the market for a new home, knows how important it is to find the proper location for the new venture. The retail … more

From beginning to end, Genesis chapter 34, in this week’s parshat Vayishlach, tells a terrifying story. Dina, Jacob’s daughter — the only Jewish daughter mentioned in the entire … more

Before they went out of style, mother-in-law jokes were very popular. Have you ever heard of a father-in-law joke? I suppose if anyone were to author such a joke, it would be our forefather … more

One of history’s great literary revisionism discussions ensues when Moses and G-d converse after the Golden Calf fiasco. If G-d does not forgive the Israelites, “Erase me, now, from the … more

The moment had come. Moses was about to die. He had seen his sister Miriam and brother Aaron pre-decease him. He had prayed to G-d — not to live forever, not even to live longer, but simply, … more

By Rabbi Avi Shafran Issue of May 8, 2009 / 14 Iyar 5769 I don’t often ride the New York subways, but not long ago I found myself leaving a train deep beneath Brooklyn, at the … more

The Kosher Bookworm by Alan Jay Gerber Issue of November 20, 2009/ 3 Cheshvan 5770 This past Shabbat we read the Torah portion of Chayei Sarah, the parsha deals with the passing of our … more