יום שלישי, ט׳ חשוון תשפ״זTuesday, October 20, 2026
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The Passover legacy contributed to the foundation of the culture, justice and liberty of the USA, and the support of the American people towards the Jewish state.
By Naama Klein
Though dozens of beautiful and memorable Pesachs have passed since that fateful chag thirty-five years ago, the memory of that tragic Yom Tov is forever engrained in our family’s collective memory.
Stopping there, the Jewish people looked up and saw the Egyptians chasing after them.
First, the makka occurred on the first night of Pesach, not on Erev Pesach. Why, then, fast on Erev Pesach?
Polite And Respectful ‘It Is Audacious To Appoint One’s Father A Shliacht’ (Kiddushin 45b)
Question: What is the minimum amount of matzah a person must consume if he finds eating it difficult? Additionally how absolute is the requirement not to eat anything after the afikoman? Menachem
Since this action is for the other person's clear benefit, you are considered a 'self-appointed' agent.
Most Jews are not naïve but liberals who want to believe in a higher civilization –one that shuns cruelty and barbaric savagery, therefore they refuse to learn from our past.
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Pesach, the holiday that symbolizes the formation of the Jewish people, reminds us that sometimes we need to remove the evil inclination entirely so as not to fall victim to it.
What shall we be free of this Pesach? It is the holiday of Freedom, isn’t it?
Witnessing the ten plagues, that spark was fanned into a roaring flame of faith, and they woke up, until they actually lived based on that faith. How?
The difference between living in Israel verses outside of Israel is that in Israel, Judaism is the basis of the country’s daily operations.
By Ann Goldberg
I was dumbstruck. I couldn’t help but laugh. Here we thought the idea was my husband’s but obviously the idea came from somewhere else.
A Year And A Day ‘Hashem...Completes The Years Of The Righteous’ (Kiddushin 38a)
Question: I am a psychology professor at McGill University who is doing an MA in Jewish studies. My thesis topic is the history of interpretation of the story of Rachav Hazona. In the course of my research I was trying to understand how the Midrash derived that Rahab converted.
However, if one did not recline during three or four of the cups we would require him to drink them again and recline.
"Preventing loss is also included in the mitzvah of hashavas aveidah," answered Rabbi Dayan.
This concept has great relevance to us both on the receiving as well as on the giving end.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Social media brought about a return to an ancient phenomenon, public shaming providing us a way of understanding the otherwise bewildering phenomenon of tsara’at,
This week, in Metzora, we'll dive a little deeper to find the meaning embedded in the strange rituals of becoming tahor, ritually pure.
What is the meaning of Dayenu? Why does it play such a central role in our Pesach Seder?
Man in his ideal form is described as a speaker. Fitting that the sin most closely associated with tzaraat is misuse of speech.
The Jewish people do not usher in months like the rest of the world.
This Torah family, despite being in mourning, truly understood the value of every act and how it could change the world.
Before Hashem created the world, He thought (if it could be) to create it with the middas hadin – strict justice.
"I found the loan document," Mr. Naiman notified Mr. Shuker. "You clearly lied in beis din and owe the full amount that I claimed!"
Many of us saw loved ones disappear through assimilation but the covenant of G-d we entered into at Sinai can transform anyone
Both Rise To The Occasion ‘What If His Son Is His Teacher?’ (Kiddushin 33b)
Question: I am a psychology professor at McGill University who is doing an MA in Jewish studies. My thesis topic is the history of interpretation of the story of Rachav Hazona. In the course of my research I was trying to understand how the Midrash derived that Rahab converted.
There are several answers given to that question and some may or may not apply to answer the question raised regarding a bris performed on Shabbos “illegally.”
By dvora
Baruch Hashem, I have plenty of family in Israel, but Miriam’s host was not “family” per se, though her host would differ with me on this fact, rather someone whose family had an impact on me over 50 years ago!
Lie is filled with exquisite "pauses," moments built into the fabric of life offering an opportunity for growth
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
The sedrah of Tazria begins with the law of circumcision Why this physical mark on the flesh? What does it tell us about the nature of Jewish identity?
The quest begins in understanding just what Tumah and Tahara are, and how these new definitions can truly impact our lives today.
The outcast metzorah or zav, is essentially promised a quick rebirth within the Jewish nation.
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The laws of shechita and tzaar ba’alei chayim were meant for Jewish communities who would eat meat occasionally, not for the huge industry we have today
By Rachel Weiss
The word matzah (mem, tzadik, hei) is an acronym for “mikol tzara hitzilanu (from all my troubles He has saved me)” ...in the merit of achilas matzah, of consuming matzah.
What did the absence of wine have to do with the nation’s ultimate understanding that Hashem is the true G-d?
What really defines a person as one type of decision maker or the other?
Moshe’s Request ‘I Love My Master, My Wife, My Children…’ (Kiddushin 22a)
Question: I recently attended a lecture where the speaker discussed great Jewish women in history. He specifically singled out the biblical heroine Rahab who, he said, married the great leader and prophet Joshua. I had previously heard that Rahab was a woman of ill repute, a harlot, who surely was not suitable for a righteous person like Joshua. Also, when Rahab is mentioned (Joshua ch. 2), there is no indication that she married Joshua. How do we know it? Sandy Hart
By Judy Gottesman and Leah Tisser
Their father had been deported to a forced labor camp at the beginning of the Holocaust. He was never seen again.
The halacha is that if a person can prevent the chaser from killing the victim without killing the rodef he must.
"What was that?!" exclaimed the surprised patron, Mr. Jacobs. "There goes my lunch!"
If a person is locked into the idea that he cannot change, then in fact he won’t be able to. To such a person, the Torah has no relevance.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
What is the logic of kashrut? And why are they placed here in parshat Shemini? AND what is their connection with the sanctuary?
In our “enlightened” world the voice of prayer has become muted; regarded as something only a naïve, unenlightened person can take seriously
We are connected to our past, not by feeble attempts to recreate history, but by the awareness with which we live in the present.
What if there was a way for us to think about kosher that makes sense and can strengthen our relationship with God?
By Tzvi Fishman
The Jews of Hevron sanctify His Name daily by living in the resting place of our holy Forefathers, sacrificing their own comfort for the greater good of the Nation
Esther experienced the Purim story as God making us happy with our efforts; she wanted us to emulate God by helping each other rejoice in our striving.
It’s In The Will ‘A Non-Jew Receives His Father’s Estate’ (Kiddushin 17b)
Question: I am seriously dating a girl who has a similar name to my mother. My mother’s name is Pischa and the girl’s name is Pesha. Since both names arguably derive from the word Pesach, would it be a problem for me to potentially marry this girl? Name Witheld Via E-Mail
By Ann Goldberg
He hadn’t even bothered to think of a plausible excuse as to why they had suddenly found a spare Seder dish and he hoped they wouldn’t ask him any questions.
What will happen when finally Amalek is indeed eradicated? Will the 558th commandment become obsolete? Will the eternal Torah then only have 612 mitzvos?
After a year of being on his best behavior, Chaim asked his father if he would be willing to cancel the stipulations. "I walk around nervous thinking that if I slip on the conditions I lose the car," he said.
He had so eliminated bad character traits from his heart that he would feel nothing negative.
I would suggest that even if one is confident that he can keep his clothing dirty, there is still reason to change one’s attire.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
What was sacrifice in Judaism and why does it remain important, at least as an idea, even today?
Eretz Yisrael is a land of magic, a land where G-d Himself resides another proof that He has not forsaken us
How can a modern day reader of Torah, understand and relate to the concept of animal sacrifices, Korbanot?
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Amalek is seared into Jewish consciousness as the ultimate enemy of Israel and the source of Haman
Some background-History, Halacha, hidden truths. Happy Purim to all!
Vayikra, unlike Shemot, is not really about revelation. It's about the daily struggle to raise man above his own physicality.
The entire Book of Esther's a story of masks-Esther, Mordechai, and Haman-even God-conceal something
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Purim gives us a framework to understand our lives and remain optimistic in the midst of all the darkness
Purim's lesson, relevant today & always, is about our belief that God is always present in our lives
By Ru Levin
It's nice to step back and appreciate the mitzvah in a fresh and minimalist way.
It helps us live with the reality that what we do have comes from His never-ending kindness.
She Ate Unwittingly ‘If She Married A Kohen She Eats Terumah’ (Kiddushin 10b)
We were pleasantly surprised, just after my wife lit the Shabbos candles, when Sonja’s face lit up and she exclaimed, “I remember my mother doing that!”
"But when you buy two items, each one costs less," reasoned Mrs. Simcha. "How can you say that Mr. Sasson's was full cost and ours half-price?!"
Question: Taking into account the fact that one might have to travel on Purim day, may one make one’s Purim se’udah on Purim eve? No Name Please
According to the Shach, the prohibition against erka’ot akum does not apply when Jewish litigants agree to litigate in front of a named non-Jewish judge.
Magazine estimates that during this time his wealth increased at the rate of a million dollars an hour.
This is the parshah we read on Purim morning, before we read the Megillah. Therefore, if a person missed Parshas Zachor, he can make it up for it on Purim with the leining of parshas Vayavo Amalek.
“Noch azoy ah churbon"--after such slaughter (the Holocaust) we must kiss every living Jew and embrace him with love”
“Isn’t there an obligation upon the Jewish community to accept a day school graduate because of the mere fact that he is a product of a Jewish Hebrew day school?”
Vayikra, the Torah’s middle book, gives the critical light to the Torah's other books around it.
Aleph Beta helps us learn how to read the perplexing book of Leviticus.
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
The quality of our prayers may have to take precedence over quantity, some may no longer work for us
At its worst, nearly 200,000 'fare-beaters' daily entered NY City's transit system without paying
What is the exact meaning of amen and where does the word come from? David H. (Via E-Mail)
Filling In The Blanks ‘Esrog Similar To A Tree In Three Ways…’ (Kiddushin 2b-3a)
"Similarly, aside from the amount that is certain, you don't know whether anything more was put in the container." (C.M. 75:9)
Frank didn’t create the process; he doesn’t even know which ingredients go into the mixture.
A person is only rewarded for listening to Hashem’s command if he does so with the intention to do so.
By Alan Magill
The fact that I was in a hurry made me think I should just take the card from him and open it for him.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Like our bodies, our souls were not made for sitting still. We were made for moving, learning, searching, striving, growing
October 16, 2026 
