On my recent trip to Miami Beach I had the opportunity to visit the only Jewish bookstore in town, Torah Treasures, and speak to its wonderful owners, Yakov and Sammy Selanikio.  This father … more

No, this is not about some politically correct feminist work. “Shaarei Simcha” [Ktav Publishing House.2007] is a delightful carefully researched and comprehensive prayer guide and bencher for every English speaking Jewish household. more

For many of us when we read the word aggadah, we assume that the subject deals with legend. However, after you read the book under review this week, the very concept of aggadah will take on a new, … more

This past week marked the passing of one of the greatest sages of our era, HaRav Chaim Pinchas Scheinberg, zt”l. In his memory I will begin this week’s essay with a dvar Torah written by him and published some years ago. more

In a rare observation concerning the saddest day on the Jewish liturgical calendar, Ahuva Gray, Chicago born granddaughter of sharecroppers from Mississippi, and an adult convert to the Jewish faith, wrote about Tisha B’Av in her exquisite autobiography entitled, “Journey to the Land of My Soul.” There is much to be learned from these wise words, a sample of which I choose to share with you this week: more

As we enter Adar I, with Purim five weeks away, I’m pleased to present   excerpts from an online interview with Dr. Erica Brown, author of “Esther: Power, Fate, and Fragility in … more

A review of seasonal literature to learn from Reviewed by Alan Jay Gerber Issue of Feb. 27, 2009 / 3 Adar 5769 With Shabbos Shekalim and Rosh Chodesh Adar now behind us, our minds, … more

Among the greatest words in the Hebrew language is chesed whose definition varies with its use. In his book, “Amazing Chesed” (Jewish Lights, 2013), Rami Shapiro informs us of some of … more

The Pesach seder is a ritual based upon questions. The evening’s proceedings begin with questions--four of them. And, even before the holiday, the teachings leading up to the holiday are enveloped with questions concerning observance, ritual, diet, and other cognate matters that make this season a rabbi’s delight at being the one most sought after for the correct answers. more

This year, the 80th anniversary of the Kristallnacht atrocities, coincided by a week with the Pittsburgh massacre. Each event in its time served to shake our people to the core. This week, an … more