יום שלישי, י״א תשרי תשפ״זTuesday, September 22, 2026
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By Jason Maoz
Speaker Adams, for her part, stressed the need to stand united against hate, and work together across communities to deepen our care and understanding of each other.
I don’t oppose lavish vacations. In fact, as long as someone is living within their means, saving for their future, and giving to tzedakah, they should be able to go on the most extravagant and over the top vacation that they want.
Mitchell First has given me something I never had and didn’t realize I was missing: a mature perspective on Shalom Aleichem.
I would recommend this book to any helping professional who works with people for insight into the power of listening to enable others to help themselves.
While Cardozo accepted membership in the Century Club, an elite and exclusive Washington club that discriminated against Jews – for which he was criticized by Felix Frankfurter, his later successor on the Supreme Court, and others – he also proudly joined the Judean Club.
The hadlakot on Lag Ba’Omer, remind us of the warmth and light of the Torah.
By Rachel Kohn
I fear that I won't see a symbol of celebration when I look into the leaping flames of this year's bonfires, but an echo of the conflagrations of the past – the heat and destructive potential all too present and real.
By Avi Ganz
Before allowing something to expand, it would be advisable to make sure it has the space in which to expand. Without that space, the results can be disastrous.
While the Torah is more frequently compared to water, it is also called an esh dat (fiery law). Fire takes coarse matter and turns it into something lighter that rises towards the heavens.
Fire represents the struggle between the body and the soul, which is the essence of being human.
By Marc Gronich
The controversial bail reform package that amended the discovery laws did not make it through to the final document, but money to help district attorneys gear up to hire more staff to reduce the backlog of cases was something she supported.
We all repeat ourselves. We do it partly because it is easy, and partly because we don’t realize that we have said the same things before. It is all a matter of degree.
The process of shidduchim can be a challenging and complex journey for young individuals. Navigating the expectations of family and community, as well as developing effective communication and social skills, can be daunting for many individuals in the shidduch process.
I reiterate the statement I have made on numerous occasions... that a synagogue with a mixed seating arrangement forfeits its sanctity and its halachic status of mikdash me'at (a sanctuary-in-miniature), and is unfit for prayer...
By Alter Yisrael Shimon Feuerman
At a corner table sat his father and Gila. He had a small planning book open and she was turned away slightly with her small red pocketbook on the table. Nothing could have prepared him for the assault on his senses that he experienced. It was like a nuclear flash.
No spouse can make you happy. You have to find happiness within yourself and then you can build a loving relationship.
The agunah situation is an extremely understudied area, and especially since it has tremendous ramifications for those who strictly follow Jewish law, it seemed like an extremely meaningful area to explore further, said Jonathan Mintz.
You are not the first couple to mesh differing backgrounds. Many have created families enriched by the flavors of both of their childhoods to create beautiful homes.
I hope this book will encourage parents to realize that they are the best parents for their children, and to enjoy the privilege of parenting and see it as a catalyst for their own growth, says Rebbetzin Eisenbach.
There is no right or wrong way to use this book. You can choose to start with the current month, or pick a month that focuses on an area that you’re interested in improving in.
During his time in office, Thant oversaw the entry into the UN of dozens of new Asian and African states, and he was a steadfast opponent of South African apartheid.
By Nachum Segal
It is the ones that are accompanied by a do-over or second chance that offer an opportunity to repair a wrong or switch gears during a challenging episode.
When someone comes to meet with me, they or someone close to them recognize that a change is necessary. Yet, they still may not fully believe they can actually make that change.
Everyone wants a second chance. It’s a gift we continually grant the people we care about in our lives.
Sometimes you can’t make up what you missed. On some views, if due to reasons out of one’s control, one cannot fulfill a positive mitzvah, they have missed out and cannot remedy that at all.
I’m sure at the beginning it was about being frugal, about coming to America with nothing and painstakingly creating something; it was about scrimping pennies so you could buy the basics that we take for granted, like milk, like fresh eggs, like a tea bag.
By Marc Gronich
With such strong pushback from state lawmakers, Hochul removed the $250,000 she put into the budget when the plan went down in flames.
By dvora
The average American spends more than $600 a month on food. Take a bite out of your budget with these tips from Beth Moncel, author of the Budget Bytes cookbooks and the popular blog of the same name.
Let’s be honest, most people are coming to Yakar to order steak... With a good selection of cuts on the menu, there are a lot of different avenues you can choose. Most people might not select it, but I’m going to recommend the Skirt Steak.
I ask April to focus on her reaction to these moments of disappointment. Her hubby cannot process the information that she gives him when she asks him to fulfill a task. He cannot remember what he is told.
By Alter Yisrael Shimon Feuerman
Yankel was puzzled. He was young, he was old. It didn’t feel like a compliment either way. Now he wasn’t to talk about it – but they were full steam ahead anyway.
Yes, finances are a very important consideration when dating. In fact, I would rank it among the most important criteria.
It is interesting that you now appreciate how the chassidim date. Many people who are not from the chassidishe world cannot understand or fathom that a couple can get engaged after three meetings and be happy together.
Even though he didn’t display any more “red flags” on the rest of your date, you are concerned that this behavior is not something you should ignore. Was this just a bad moment? Or was your interaction a forecasting of a turbulent future; a discussion that must not be ignored.
The document was written by the Noda Beyehuda, to his employers, the parnassim (community leaders) of Prague, confirming receipt for his salary as Chief Rabbi of the city.
By Marc Gronich
Wilson has chosen the Honorable Joseph Zayas for appointment as chief administrative judge for the entire court system. He is responsible for oversight of court operations, including a budget of more than $3 billion.
Later on in the book, Levine discusses the topic of exaggeration in the Talmud, but he frames it with juxtaposition to the controversial musical legacy of Eminem.
By Ben Rothke
While books like this are great introductory texts, the cursory overview of the topics, many of them which warrant numerous volumes on their own, can give the reader too far a superficial view of the topic.
By Eve Glover
One of Mechoulam’s most groundbreaking discoveries was that cannabis can stop seizures in people with epilepsy.
Some critics suggest that the Frankenstein monster was named after Jacob Frank who, at the time that Shelley wrote her novel, was perhaps not only the dominant issue in the Jewish world of Eastern Europe but was very well known in non-Jewish circles as well.
If we ever find ourselves dismissively commenting about the detail-orientation of halacha, or of other communities' halachic observance, perhaps we can remember that when we really care, we can indeed be very invested in the minute differences between Williamsburg Blue and its neighbors in the fan deck.
This leads many to suggest that language impacts the distinctions which we make and perceive. In truth, this is not a new idea.
By Maayan Zik
Blue is the color of remembrance as we acknowledge all the struggles and torments alongside all the joy and levity that has come packaged with the resilience and strength of a people loyal and dedicated to service, service of Hashem, of community, of family, of each other, etc.
As a New Yorker and a City Councilwoman, blue represents the brave men and women of the N.Y. City Police Department. They put on that blue uniform day in and day out, committed to making our city a safe place for its citizens.
It is easy to connect with people when things are good and they are walking around with their head up high and looking towards the sky. It is more difficult to connect with a person when they are downtrodden and can barely look straightforward, let alone upwards.
It is hard to respond when one has no clue what is intended to be communicated. Saying I don’t understand is a bit cruel because he cannot explain what he intended.
When it appeared that I was going to be okay and the teachers could start breathing again, they asked what in the world made me do such a dangerous thing, jumping off the swing in midair.
Occasionally there are extraordinary purchases, which cause even an experienced bookseller to get emotional.
By Alter Yisrael Shimon Feuerman
Meanwhile the older woman studied the younger hard, from a distance. It was bizarre for Yankel to watch his mother stare to the point of crudeness.
Nothing you do will really calm the drama, but if you and your wife can change your perspective, it may make everything easier to bear and thus make you feel calmer (which will ultimately calm the house down as well).
Even when we are comfortable working toward a future with someone, we can feel blindsided by our date’s easy understanding of what a lifetime together would look like.
By Helen Joyce
The consistency of an old man’s failing memory, prompted by his daughter and grandson serves to underscore the accuracy of Martin Bodek’s account.
By Ben Rothke
If you have heard any of her speeches, Rahav-Meir is very big on keeping it real and current. She writes that Judaism has so much to offer to the world, and the world wants to hear from the Jews.
In fact, it was not Ben Gurion who came up with the phrase but, rather, he put forth the language that Beham had used in his draft weeks earlier before the politicians became involved in redrafting the document.
By Marc Gronich
The objection stems from a decision Wilson wrote in the case People v. Regan last month.
The challenge is big, but so are the hearts of our donors, said Alexander Rapaport, Executive Director of Masbia. We could not have done it without the generous support of thousands of donors, he added.
By Jason Maoz
An event like this brings the families of our community so much happiness – without any worries about the cost of an afternoon filled with entertainment, and with the convenience of being smack in the middle of their own neighborhood, sparing them a long Chol HaMoed schlep.
Whether there’s a bumblebee circling the conference room, snowflakes flurrying outside the classroom, or an alert buzzing on all the phones in the auditorium: trying to maintain everyone’s attention is a futile battle.
Bees get a bad rap. The bee is a real blessing for its role as pollinator of the world’s produce and flowers.
By Ira Stoll
The flowers and fruit get the glory, but without the pollination help from bees, they wouldn't bloom. Sometimes what looks dangerous, like a bee, can turn out to be a blessing.
By Anat Coleman
Queen-less bees become agitated. Have we ensured that those who rely on us for clear guidelines and expectations have received them, so they don't feel leader-less?
Children grow up so quickly. Just a minute ago, my three-year-old was a newborn baby. Now, I have two daughters. Watching them grow and change is the most fascinating thing to witness.
R. Tzvi Hirsch Katzenelebogen was born in to a wealthy family in Vilna, though a rabbi and associated with many of the greatest Orthodox rabbis of the day, he was also from the first to embrace Haskalah worldview.
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the enigmatic factory, which operates behind mammoth locked iron gates – and from where no one ever comes out – continuously belches pillars of smoke out into the air, an unmistakable analogy to Nazi crematoria.
By Eli Lebowicz
Deciding to be fleishig is a tough commitment to make. And it’s pretty similar to the same fear of commitment that many people have (and often more so guys) when it comes to dating.
The guest list will be carefully curated, since the korban can only be slaughtered on behalf of its specific group.
By Jordana Baruchov Grreenfield
No one will ever get to the bottom of why we are meant to not eat milk and meat together since it’s a chok. So why have commandments we don’t get?
When you think of home, is it not in your taste buds that the most elemental memories reside? Tell me what, how, where and with whom you eat, and I’ll tell you who and what you are.
One of my favorite foods is a juicy steak prepared medium rare. The reason why is because this type of dish is tender, retains moisture, and is most flavorful, especially if the outside is caramelized and seared.
By Marc Gronich
Oiring said he wants to hear the good, the bad and the ugly from the guests at the hotel. Every hotel guest gets a customer service survey. We want to know what you are thinking, Oiring said.
Having assessed the lump as less than life-threatening, Dr. N. kindly used the opportunity to administer the standardized Memory Test of which I have spoken. The same questions posed to Hubby, as in the years gone by, but different answers this time.
By Irwin Cohen
On the subject of the World Baseball Teams, we had a chance to see Jacob Steinmetz pitch for Team Israel against several major league all-star players representing the Dominican Republic.
By Alan Zeitlin
One former leader, who was brought to Poland by the ACJF in September 2022, was former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was given the AJCF Fighting Hatred award. Some of his comments were shared on social media, and Simony said he was “deeply impressed” by Schwarzenegger’s words.
For this column, I thought I would share some interesting items relating to Pesach that have appeared at auction, are in a museum, or are from my personal collection.
Let’s discuss the possible solutions to the pressure you are feeling. Your family believes that a certain number of dates should determine an engagement. If you believe them – propose!
Ayeka was a call to action – where are you going in life and what would you like to change?
Sadly, there is no combination that is more dangerous to your nest egg than overconfidence mixed with a lack of experience.
By Eve Glover
After experiencing devastating periods of starvation, food is nostalgia and comfort. When these survivors cook recipes they remember by heart, it transports them to happier times spent with loved ones.
This eye-catching new volume does not limit itself only to ritual parallels. The pictures and illustrations of the flora and fauna of the biblical text are extraordinarily informative.
By Alter Yisrael Shimon Feuerman
Yankel’s father held on to his son’s hand for a brief moment. I was passing by and I was seized by the urge to see this place. I hadn’t planned on disturbing you, but I was recognized by one of your yeshiva bochur friends who insisted on fetching you.
You might think that this is a collection of essays, at first glance. Upon further examination, you realize that R. Naor is examining every aspect of the phrase souls of the world of chaos.
By Etai Lahav
Lebens opens GJU with a discussion of conversion under Jewish law – even though this book is not addressed to non-Jews – to illustrate that commitment to Judaism begins, first and foremost, with a commitment to the Jewish people.
The Shadal’s beliefs, teaching, and writings were characterized by the strictest fidelity to halacha, and he was perhaps the fiercest critic of Jewish Science and higher Torah criticism.
September 18, 2026 
