Rabbi Dr. Raymond Apple Insights into the Holocaust. Q. Why didn’t God send a miracle to save the martyrs of the Holocaust? A. There are many who accuse God for failing to step in, and many who say that there are times when we have to believe whilst not completely understanding the ways of the … Read more
by Dr. Henry Abramson (pic Mysterious girl at the Seder table (Sarajevo Haggadah) The amazing story of the 700 year old Haggadah, the Muslim librarian who saved it from the Nazis, and how his children were miraculously saved by Israel. Resplendent in deep blues, brilliant yellows and alluring reds, the 14th century Sarajevo Haggadah was … Read more
Rabbi Chanan Morisson “By the first day [of Passover] you must clear out your homes of all leaven.” (Ex. 12:15) Why Clear Out Chametz? Why does the Torah command us to destroy all chametz (leaven) found in our homes during Passover? It is logical to eat matzah; this fast-baked food has a historical connection to … Read more
Rabbi Dr. Eliyahu Safran What makes a photograph museum worthy? What is it about the photographer’s eye that allows him to take a memorable shot? After D-Day, tens of thousands arrived in New York, but only one captured image defines the moment. The horrors of war are beyond counting, yet a single searing image of … Read more
Rabbi Chanan Morrison “If any of these dead [animals] falls on a vessel, it will become unclean…. That article must be immersed in a mikveh …” (Lev. 11:32) The topic of ritual impurity is a difficult one. This impurity is not a tangible quality that may be seen or felt. It is a spiritual contamination, … Read more
Tzvi Fishman In a state of what can be called Diaspora dementia, Jews always fool themselves into thinking they belong to the societies in which they live. The Arab terrorists succeeded in stripping the masks off of the frightened faces of the Jews in Belgium. Purim celebrations have been canceled and Rabbis have told congregants … Read more
Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen A tribute to Noam Apter, Hy”d, killed in a Friday night terror attack in the Otniel Yeshiva. Translated by Netzach Sapir Daybreak – morning’s first rays peek over the horizon, the air crisp and clean, the excitement of a fresh start. According to Halakha, the day opens with netilat yadayim, ritual … Read more
by Rabbi Joel E. Hoffman Because it gives me cohesive answers to life’s ultimate questions, plus 7 other reasons. This past Sunday, one of the topics I taught to my 7th grade Hebrew school class was the mitzvah of learning Torah (called Talmud Torah). Although part of the lesson included a high-quality video that included … Read more
