Yom Kippur Katan
Today is one of a number of days on the Jewish calendar that is noted as “Yom Kippur Katan,” literally Little Day of Atonement. It is observed on the day before Rosh Chodesh (the new…
The Four Mitzvot of Purim
This year, Purim will be celebrated on Sunday, March 12th (beginning Saturday evening, March 11th, after sunset). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading - Book of…
It’s All In How You Go
Living a Jewish life does not just happen on holidays or Shabbat or when looking for a good, kosher snack. Judaism is a way of life that is meant to influence everything one does, every…
Hail to the Chief
“A blessing for the czar? Of course. May God bless and keep the czar... far away from us.” So jokes the rabbi of Anatevka during the opening number of Fiddler on the Roof. This was a…
Closing Eyes
Can you murder a dying man? There is an interesting passage in the Talmud that states:“Our Rabbis taught, ‘He who closes [the eyes of a dying person] at the point of death is a murderer.…
It’s Not A Big Chicken
If there is one thing that is guaranteed to be in supermarkets in November, it’s turkey! In fact, many supermarkets even give them away to promote large purchases of other groceries. As…
A Chocolate Treat
How does a Jewish Treat become a chocolate treat? When the topic of the day is about the Jewish connection to the early trade of chocolate, we find the perfect reason to feature a Treat…
Wash and Dry
The miracles of modern science have made us aware of the vast world of micro-organisms that previous generations never knew existed. We now know that there are good bacteria that help us…
Don’t Spoil Your Appetite!
The classic warning of the Jewish mother not to spoil one’s appetite may just have a basis in halacha, Jewish law - but only if the warning occurs on Friday afternoon (or on the afternoon…
Four Mitzvot of Purim
This year, Purim will be celebrated on Thursday, March 24th (beginning Wednesday evening, March 23rd, after sunset). Four mitzvot are associated with the holiday: Megillah Reading - Book…