Thirty Days Before the Chag…
we start our preparations for Pesach. For those within range, I will be offering another round of specifically Maharalian preparation for the next two Wednesdays, March 3 and 10. At 8PM on each of...
How to Sign “Happy Purim”
First bring your open palms towards your chest and upwards, then out & down, and repeat — “Happy” Then open your first two fingers of each hand and make a “mask” by bringing your...
Rav Nebenzahl on J-Street
OK, he really said it years ago about Israeli leftists. However, since we import everything else from the the more ethereal Torah provinces of Eretz Yisrael, I figured we could apply his classic one-liner...
“Never gave Purim baskets like those”
Each year we try to cut down on the number of mishloach manot/shalach manos we send, and either give more matanot l’evyonim to the needy, or find indigent Jews who really need mishloach manot...
Let My People’s Fish Go!
In a pleasant break from the usual, this AP wire story has nothing to do with the dreaded Anisakis worm that is the subject of debate within the kashrus community: Washington – Free the...
Someone’s There
Is ending a life of pure contemplation less objectionable that ending one that includes physical activity?
Maybe It’s the Cholent
Are Orthodox Jews happier with their marriages than others? Do the demands of taharas ha-mishpachah translate into a better relationship? There now is some evidence of better marriages within the Orthodox community, as reported...
Archaeologist sees proof for Bible in ancient wall
From the Associated Press: JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli archaeologist said Monday that ancient fortifications recently excavated in Jerusalem date back 3,000 years to the time of King Solomon and support the biblical narrative...
On The Passing of Rabbi Menachem Porush
Agudath Israel of America Statement on the Passing of Rabbi Menachem Porush Rabbi Menachem Porush was a giant within the world of Agudath Israel and beyond. The contributions Rabbi Porush made to the growth...
Delivering Kiddush Hashem
Wouldn’t it be great if we could do a Major Kiddush Hashem of the Week feature? Here’s this week’s entry. Rabbi Ilan Feldman (who is supposed to be writing for Cross-Currents, besides his father)...