The Children of the Children of Israel

April 2nd, the birthday of the famed Danish author of children’s books, Hans Christian Andersen, who was born on that date in 1805, is celebrated as International Children’s Book Day. The…

Read More

Sweet

"There is always room for sweet things." Although this quote comes straight from the Talmud (Megillah 7b), it is a common sentiment among many cultures. In the lifetime of Abaye, the sage…

Read More

Marvelous Manna

“Foodies” everywhere might appreciate the fact that some people see the exceptionally wide variety of textures and flavors that are found in food as proof of God’s desire for humankind to…

Read More

Laws and Customs of Shavuot

ShavuotLaws and Customs Table of Contents Festival Laws The Book of Ruth Customs Shavuot is a low-key, pensive holiday,…

Carrot and Sweet Potato Tzimmes

TraditionalCarrot and Sweet Potato Tzimmes Ingredients: 1 bunch carrots, peeled and cut into 1″ pieces 6 sweet potatoes…

Korach 5768-2008

"Datan and Abiram: The Protagonists" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In the opening verse of this week's parasha, parashat Korach, we encounter the names Datan and Abiram for the first time.…

Read More

Yom Tov – The First Festival Days

Yom TovThe First Festival Days Sukkot is a 7 day holiday. The first day (first two days outside of Israel) are Yamim Tovim –…

Korach 5764-2004

"The Power of Strife" by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald In this week's parasha, parashat Korach, we learn of the frightful rebellion of Korach and his followers. Whatever Korach's differences…

Read More

Symbolic Foods

Symbolic Foods There is a certain meaning and prayer behind each kind of symbolic food. See if one of the foods holds a deeper…

Why Were Scouts of the Promised Land Needed?

The most devastating punishment meted out by God in the Torah is described in this week's parasha.  God commands Moses to send 12 scouts - one representing each tribe - to…

Read More