The Perfect Species
At this time of the year, Jews around the globe head out in search of the perfect lulav and etrog (lulav refers to the grouping of lulav, hadassim and aravot, which, together with the…
Build Your Own Sukkah
Webster’s Dictionary defines a Tabernacle as a temporary dwelling, which is why the Jewish holiday of Sukkot is known as the “Feast of the Tabernacles." A sukkah, however, is a lot more…
Neilah: The Final Service
While one may make requests of God or atone for transgressions at any time of the year, the first ten days of Tishrei (from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kippur) are considered particularly…
Golden Opportunity
Use the prayer of Neilah and the other Yom Kippur prayers as an opportunity to connect with and come closer to God on this auspicious day. As you take the necessary steps to prepare for…
The Five Prohibitions of Yom Kippur
“…on the tenth of the month, you shall afflict your souls and do no work at all…for on that day God will forgive you and cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before God”…
Post Labor Day Whites
When is it fashionably acceptable to wear white after Labor Day? On Yom Kippur! Many people have the custom of wearing white on Yom Kippur. In the synagogue you will often see women…
For The Sins We Committed
One of the main steps in the process of teshuva (repentance) is for penitents to confess their sins and verbalize their errors. In so doing, those who seek forgiveness for committing a…
Understanding Vidui
When confessing sins before God, it is especially important to understand what is being said. If the Hebrew liturgy is unfamiliar, print out before Yom Kippur and review a translation of…
Remembering October 7th
Today is the one-year anniversary of the horrific attack that took place when Hamas terrorists from Gaza entered Israel and killed over 1,000 Jewish lives, shaking the very foundation of…
Yom Kippur 5785-2024
“G-d’s Gift to His People on Yom Kippur” (updated and revised from Yom Kippur 5765-2004) by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald Because of the observance of Yom Kippur, the final weekly Torah…