Audio, Featured, Jewish Law, Jewish Thought »

[6 Nov 2009 | ]

Outside of the Land of Israel, there is a prevelant custom to recite Kiddush in the Synagogue on Friday Night. Rabbi Nadel explores why the custom is different in Eretz Yisrael.

Festivals, Sukkot »

[3 Nov 2009 | ]

The Torah commands us to dwell in Sukkot for seven days “…for I caused the Children of Israel to dwell in Sukkot when I took them from the land of Egypt…” (Vayikra 23:43)
It appears that we celebrate Sukkot as a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. But if the reason for sitting in Sukkot is a remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt, why not celebrate it in the month of Nissan, along with Pesach? Why not have a Seder in the Sukkah, with matzah, four cups of …

Featured, Festivals, Jewish Thought, Yom Kippur »

[19 Oct 2009 | ]

At Minchah on Yom HaKippurim we read the Book of Yonah. It is a story beloved by young and old. My little boys even studied it this year in pre-school! It is story that captures our minds and hearts and is as relevant today as it was when written.
At its very essence, it is a message of teshuvah: The people of Nineveh are told that if they continue on their path, “In forty days Nineveh shall be overturned” (3:4). Their response? Fasting and repentance: …

Festivals, Yom Kippur »

[19 Oct 2009 | ]

The haunting melodies, the Rabbi’s words, the shofar, the fasting, the praying. It’s hard not to be inspired during the holiday season. We find ourselves davening a little better, being more charitable, acting with more kindness, and performing mitzvot with more sincerity. We try to be the best we can be; the people we really are; living up to our soul’s unique potential.
This Shabbat is called “Shabbat Shuvah – The Sabbath of Return,” because of the Haftorah that is read, which begins: “Return Israel to Hashem your …

Featured, Festivals, Rosh Hashana »

[18 Sep 2009 | ]

There are many profound explanations that explore the symbolism of the mitzvah of tekiat shofar. One of the more famous expositions is that of Rambam. He writes:
Even though the sounding of the shofar on Rosh HaShanah is a decree, it contains an allusion. As if to say, ‘Wake up you sleepers from your slumber and dreamers from your sleep. Inspect your deeds, repent and remember your Creator…
(Hilchot Teshuvah 3:4)
According to Rambam the sounding of the shofar is a spiritual alarm clock. Something we all could …