Red Wine
Choose a fine, kosher red wine to enjoy this Shabbat. Like the mitzvah of Parah Adumah, the laws of Kashruth, discussed in this week’s parasha, are treated as a chok, a commandment for…
Breslov
In honor of International “Day of Happiness,” which was yesterday, Jewish Treats is pleased to share the oft-quoted words of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov: “To always be happy is a great…
Don’t Worry Be Happy
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov declared that it is a great mitzvah to always be in a state of happiness. So go ahead and smile.
The Four Mitzvot of Purim
This year, Purim will be celebrated beginning this evening, March 16th after sunset, and continue through tomorrow, Thursday, March 17th. Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday:…
Tzav 5782-2022
“What We Learn from the Jewish ‘Caste System’” (Updated and revised from Tzav 5763-2003) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald This week’s Torah portion, parashat Tzav, continues the Torah’s…
The Sabbath of Remembering
This Shabbat is Shabbat Parashat Zachor, the Sabbath of Remembering. The Torah portion that is read as the Maftir (additional) portion, after the conclusion of the regular weekly Torah…
Finally Buried
On the 4th of Adar 1307, the Maharam of Rothenburg was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Worms–fourteen years after his death. The rabbi’s remains were released from the fortress of…
A Comedic Original
“I once wanted to be an atheist, but I gave it up. They don’t have any holidays.” Henry “Henny” Youngman (originally Yungman) was the king of the one-liners and was one of the first…
Random Acts of Kindness
An entire generation of North Americans hear the words “random acts of kindness” and immediately think of Oprah Winfrey. Without question, the former queen of afternoon television has…
What Are Tefillin?
“And you shall bind them [the words that I command you today] for a sign upon your arm, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes… (Deuteronomy 6:8)”. The above verse refers to…