Cover Your Ears
The Talmud, in tractate Yoma 9B states that the Second Temple was destroyed because of Sinat Chinam, baseless hatred. Today, on Tisha b’Av, Jewish Treats takes a closer look at the…
The Book of Lamentations
On Tisha b’Av, the ninth of Av, one of the ways that the Jewish people demonstrate their mourning over the loss of both Holy Temples is by refraining from Torah study that brings pleasure…
Mourning Jerusalem I: A Brief History of the First Temple
Next Monday night and Tuesday (August 12th and 13th), Jews the world over will be observing the fast of Tisha b’Av. It is on this day of the Hebrew calendar that the Jewish people mourn…
Smashing the Tablets
The sages declare that five tragedies occurred on the Seventeenth of Tammuz, today's date which we observe as a fast day. Days of what we might now call “bad karma” (on which bad things…
Pinchas 5784-2024
"Whatever Became of the Sons of Korach” (updated and revised from Pinchas 5765-2005) by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald This week’s parasha, parashat Pinchas, opens with the Al-mighty’s…
Gummi Worms, Gelatin and Jews
Today is Gummi Worm Day, celebrating the popular sweet and sour candy, which was created by the German confectionary company, Trolli. Gummy Bears were created in 1922 by another German…
Miraculous Water
Human beings have several basic needs: food, water and protection from the elements. In the desert, these necessities can be difficult to come by. During the Children of Israel’s sojourn…
Here Kitty Kitty
While today the two most common types of house pets are cats and dogs, the sages of the Talmud questioned the issue of safety regarding the ownership of these animals. In general, most…
Those Who Can Teach and Do
Among the many wise statements recorded in Pirkei Avot/Ethics of the Fathers is the following from Rabbi Ishmael the son of Rabi Yosi: “He who learns in order to teach will be enabled…
Does the Torah Support the Belief in Extraterrestrial Life?
Today, July 2nd, is celebrated worldwide as "World UFO Day." On July 2, 1947, W.W. "Mac" Brazel discovered a metallic object on his Roswell, NM ranch. The U.S. government claimed that it…