Trick or Torah? Does Halloween pose a Halachic problem?
Although Halloween celebrations are often seemingly secular, marked by costumes, sweets and parties with no explicit religious rituals, the vast majority of halachic authorities have ruled that celebrating Halloween is forbidden. The crux of the matter lies in the Torah’s prohibition against following non-Jewish customs and rituals, known as Chukas Akum (Vaikra 18:3). The Rishonim […]
Do Dinosaurs challenge the Torah?
In 2014, two researchers from the Paleontological Museum in Argentina made a sensational discovery. In the far south of the country, in Patagonia, they came across enormous bones belonging to an animal from the group of Titanosaurs. After further excavations, they realized that they had uncovered a previously unknown species of dinosaur. With an estimated […]
What does a Rainbow tell us?
Question: Does the appearance of a rainbow always mean that G-d actually wants to destroy the world and only refrains from doing so because of the bris (covenant) with Noach?
What was the Forbidden Fruit?
According to popular belief, the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden was an apple. However, Jewish tradition doesn’t seem to support this view.
What, then, was the fruit of the tree, and why does the Torah not explicitly name the tree?
“Go to …. Azazel!”
This article provides un understanding of the mysterious command of the Torah to send a goat on Yom Kippur to the desert and throw it off a cliff.
What is the message that we should take out of this practice for Yom Kippur?
From Angels back to Humans
Throughout the year, we recite Baruch Shem Kevod Malchuso leOlam Vaed quietly after Shema Yisrael.
On Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year, when we detach from earthly desires and strive to emulate the purity of angels, we declare “Baruch Shem Kevod” aloud. This shift highlights the unique spiritual elevation we experience on Yom Kippur.
Are there 613 seeds in a pomegranate?
Why do we eat a pomegranate on Rosh HaShana, and are there really 613 seeds in a pomegranate?
The Talmud says that even the lowest people are filled with mitzvot like a pomegranate, so why do we ask to be like them?
Apple&Honey on Rosh HaShana
This article explores the origins of the ancient custom of eating apples and honey on Rosh HaShana and provides a novel and profound explanation with an inspiring message for Rosh HaShana from Rav Menashe Klein.
The Three Books on Rosh HaShana
This article explains the concept of the three books on Rosh HaShana mentioned in the Talmud, and presents the different opinions of the Rishonim regarding the question of what we are judged for on Rosh HaShana.
Can we reinstitute the Sanhedrin?
There have been a numerous attempts in Jewish history to re-establish the Sanhedrin, the earliest already in the time of the Gaonim in the 11th century. This article presents the arguments for and against the reinstatement of the Semichah and the Sanhedrin.