With the commemoration of the anniversary of the founding of the modern State of Israel this week, we are once again faced with the annual rants concerning whether to say Hallel with a blessing, … more

Issue of June 5, 2009 / 13 Sivan 5769 Reviewed by Alan Jay Gerber With the Shavuot holiday past, we now come to the second cycle in the weekly study of the Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the … more

One of the most unique and informative books ever published explaining the whys and wherefores of mitzvoth is a comprehensive and in-depth guide entitled, ”The Encyclopedia of the Taryag Mitzvot” edited by Rabbi Dovid Wax. more

Last week’s column dealing with the teaching of Rav Avraham Pam, zt”l, concerning the United Nations has resonated with many readers, both here and abroad. Now, several of readers have … more

November 2013 will be a month to remember. Consider the following: •Nov. 9-10 marks the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht. •Nov. 19 marks the 150th anniversary of Pres. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. •Nov. 22 marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy. •Nov. 28, Thanksgiving Day, is the first day of Chanukah. Starting this week, this column will attempt to give a literary spin to these events and cite several books to convey a better understanding of their historical, and if relevant, religious, significance. more

Only a British born and bred rabbi — Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks zt”l  — could have authored the following theologically-based teaching: To paraphrase Shakespeare, … more

Rabbi Abraham Twersky once stated: “Color is an emotional experience.  Techeiles [blue] is the emotional reminder of the bond between ourselves and G-d and how we get closer to G-d with … more

Yom Kippur has passed and the hints of a winter chill envelop us with every step. The weather now garners increased attention as we are about to eat our meals in the sukkah. Any forecast of rain … more

Only a British born and bred rabbi — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks — could have authored the following theologically-based teaching: “To paraphrase Shakespeare, ‘The influence we have lives after us; the power is oft interred with our bones.’ Much of Judaism is an extended essay on the supremacy of prophets over kings, right over might, teaching rather than coercion, influence in place of power..." more

This coming Wednesday, Feb. 4, we celebrate Tu B’Shvat, the beginning of spring on the Jewish calendar. The very thought of spring, especially given recent climatic events, is a bit of a … more