Miscellaneous | Judaism

Is It All About Getting Spiritually High? - Parsha Perks

Our natural human desire to get close to God sometimes leads us to pursue methods of religious ecstasy. Yet our human desire to be close to God may well be at odds with God’s divine desire to be close to us.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Why Does Judaism Forbid Tattoos?

This prohibition applies to all tattoos besides those made for medical purposes . . .

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Ark of the Covenant Explained

A golden box containing the tablets with the Ten Commandments, the ark stood in the Holy of Holies, the Temple’s innermost sanctum.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Shirley Chisholm, The Rebbe and a Vision to Feed America's Hungry Children

U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm (D-N.Y.), the first African-American woman elected to Congress, helped expand federal food supplement programs at the urging of the Rebbe.

This is a truly incredible story that I had never heard.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Everything You Need To Know About Yom Kippur

For nearly 26 hours Jews everywhere “afflict their souls” and spend the day in synagogue, praying for forgiveness.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Sitting Next To Your Spouse In An Orthodox Synagogue

On separate seating in the synagogue

This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Judaism.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

17 Rosh Hashanah Facts Every Jew Should Know - High Holidays

Brush up on basic facts, traditions, and more associated with the Jewish New Year.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Yes, Judaism Is Pro-Life | Daily Wire

On Thursday, Avraham Bronstein, rabbi of the Hampton Synagogue in Westhampton Beach, New York, penned an op-ed for Ha’aretz, Israel’s most left-wing newspa

Ben Shapiro is an absolute hero for using his platform to write an excellent piece correcting the left wing myths about Judaism and abortion. Anyone even mildly familiar with normative Judaism, meaning traditional Torah Judaism, knows that abortion is prohibited. Period. The only exception is when the life of the mother is in danger. That does not mean that the US should adopt the same stance simply because Judaism says so, but it is time for people in positions of leadership to stop lying about this aspect (and all aspects) of Judaism simply because they would like to have it match their politics.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks: The Consolations of Mortality

Before any of the deaths are mentioned we read about the strange ritual of the red heifer, which purified people who had been in contact with death – the archetypal source of impurity. That ritual, often deemed incomprehensible, is in fact deeply symbol

"Hence the life-changing idea of Chukkat: we are dust of the earth but there is within us the breath of G‑d. We fail, but we can still achieve greatness. We die, but the best part of us lives on.

The Hasidic master R. Simcha Bunim of Peshischke said we should each have two pockets. In one should be a note saying: “I am but dust and ashes.” In the other should be a note saying: “For my sake was the world created.”16 Life lives in the tension between our physical smallness and our spiritual greatness, the brevity of life and the eternity of the faith by which we live. Defeat, despair and a sense of tragedy are always premature. Life is short, but when we lift our eyes to heaven, we walk tall."

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Faith and Friendship - Covenant & Conversation - Parshah

After all that had happened – the miracles, the exodus, the division of the sea, food from heaven, water from a rock, the revelation at Sinai and the covenant that went with it – the people, yet again, were complaining about the food. And not because

"Judaism has foundational beliefs, to be sure, but it is fundamentally about something else altogether. For us, faith is the redemption of solitude. It is about relationships – between us and G‑d, us and our family, us and our neighbors, us and our people, us and humankind. Judaism is not about the lonely soul. It is about the bonds that bind us to one another and to the Author of all. It is, in the highest sense, about friendship."

Miscellaneous | Judaism

May I Join a Protest on Shabbat? - Questions & Answers

While an action may be halachically permitted, it may not be in keeping with the spirit of Shabbat and is therefore avoided.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Why Do We Dress Up on Purim? - On wearing costumes on the holiday of Purim

Some reasons behind the age-old custom to dress up on Purim.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

8 Things to Enjoy This Chanukah

Chanukah is coming, and we want to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very happy and inspiring eight-day Festival of Lights!

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Chabad’s Massive Growth Is Pragmatic, Yet ‘Defies Logic’ | Jewish & Israel News Algemeiner.com

JNS.org – How do you go about feeding a crowd of 5,600 hungry rabbis and other guests, many of whom have...

Chabad has, arguably, saved the American Jewish community by itself. No single organization has done more.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

If the Haggadah Is Right, We’ve Got Education All Wrong - Crucial lessons to take from the Haggadah for the whole year

From a child's answers, you might know something about what the child knows. From a child's question, you know who the child is.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

“Tell Them It’s Never Too Late”

The rabbinical students hesitated before knocking. The name on the doorbell read David O’Malley-Keyes. Not a very Jewish sounding name. But you never know.

It is never too late to embrace your Jewishness. This is a very inspiring story.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

If Judaism Is Spiritual, Why All the Rules? - On Freedom By Choice - Questions & Answers

More than Torah is about keeping rules, it’s about breaking them. Torah is about transcending the rules of the universe and creating freedom.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

10 Ways to Stop Worrying and Start Living - Personal Growth

I’m very anxious about all the terrible things that can happen. We live in such a dangerous world, and so many people are suffering. I’m always terrified that some calamity is going to befall me or those whom I love, G‑d forbid.

"When you’re helping others, you don’t worry about yourself. And when you become a giver, you realize how much you have to offer."

Miscellaneous | Judaism

What Does “Oy Vey” Mean? - Questions & Answers

Oy and vey are two very old Jewish interjections which both mean “woe.” Oy is found many times in the Bible (see Numbers 21:29, I Samuel 4:7 and Isaiah 3:11 for a few examples). Vey is newer than oy; it is oy’s Aramaic equivalent..

Miscellaneous | Judaism

How Jews Respond to Terror - A talk following the horrific attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015 - Lectures

As global terrorism continues to wreak havoc, Israel has been the target of these horrific evils for decades. In guiding us to defend ourselves against murderous attacks the Torah provides us with a dual approach. (A talk at the Jewish Women’s Retreat i

A talk following the horrific attacks in Paris on November 13, 2015

Miscellaneous | Judaism

How does Judaism view vegetarianism?

For better or for worse, meat is an undeniable favorite on the kosher menu. Is this good? Let’s have a look . . .

Miscellaneous | Judaism

24,000 Plus One - Chassidic Masters - Parsha

Rabbi Akiva taught that "Love your fellow as yourself" is a "cardinal principle in Torah." How was it that that Rabbi Akiva's disciples, of all people, were deficient in this area?

The lesson of "Love your fellow as yourself" expressed in a very interesting and thought provoking way.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Strange Parallels Between the Purim Story and the Nuremberg Trials | United with Israel

There are uncanny parallels between the hanging of Haman’s 10 sons during the Purim epoch and the post-Nuremberg Trials hanging of 10 Nazis for crimes against humanity.

Many of these are well known and they are fascinating!

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Jewish Press » » Chanukah: Guide for the Perplexed 2014

Chanukah is the holiday of liberty, combining The Book (faith and dedication to God) and the sword

This is a pretty good explanation of a lot of what Chanukah is all about!

Miscellaneous | Judaism

MEDVED: Correcting Mistakes About Hanukkah | Truth Revolt

Despite extensive media coverage and rising levels of public partying, the upcoming holiday of Hanukkah (that begins Tuesday night, December 16th) still causes confusion among both Jewish and non-Jewish Americans. No, it’s not a festival of tolerance or

It is a little confusing because he implies that Chanukkah isn't about the miracle of the oil, but he then elaborates on that making it clear that it is the interpretation of that miracle that is misunderstood and NOT that Chanukah is not about the miracle itself. But he is 100% correct: Chanukah is about the Maccabees determination to practice traditional, authentic, Torah Judaism.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Google Builds Sukkahs at NY Office!

Google joined the Festival of Sukkot this year, creating two sukkahs.

The company used the balcony of its headquarters in New York to build two 21st century booths for the holiday.

This is cool. Good for them. The Jewish employees must have really appreciated this (and been surprised).

Miscellaneous | Judaism

New Year's Resolution Solution: Register Your Rosh Hashanah Resolution Here!

Schedule automatic reminders for your new year's resolutions.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Why Is the World Blind?

Too many times over the last many weeks I felt like shouting, “Wake up, world! Can’t you see the difference between the good guys and the bad ones? Are you blind?!”

This is VERY relevant to the current crisis in Israel.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Tunnels of Love - Israel

The deadly network originates from basements and private homes in Gaza and extends into Israel—a tool for mass terrorist attacks against Jews.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

At San Diego Comic-Con, a Time Out for Shabbat

With Comic-Con International: San Diego just around the corner, Rabbi Mordechai Lightstone, of Brooklyn, N.Y., has been making a push on social media, email and mailing lists to draw attendees to a Shabbat dinner this week organized by the Chabad of Downtown San Diego.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Power or Influence? - Covenant & Conversation - Parsha

We tend to think of them as similar, if not identical. But it is not so. The two are quite distinct, and operate by different logic.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Anne Frank’s Stepsister - Eva Schloss tells her story of survival - Lectures

A riveting story of courage and survival of the horrors of the Holocaust.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Is There a Mitzva to Eat Matza the Entire Holiday of Pesach?

If itis a mitzva to eat matza all Pesach, then why is there no berakha attached to it?

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Passover 2014 - Pesach - Jewish Holidays - Festival of Liberation

Passover (Pesach) celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt. Our Passover megasite has tools, guides, insights, stories, inspiration—and just about everything you need to celebrate Passover. (But bring your own wine.)

The complete guide to Passover! Find a Seder right now!

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Amazing Rabbis Singing Simon and Garfunkel!

Taken from the israeli TV show

Not strictly "Judaism," but this should help destroy a stereotype or two.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Community Post: 11 People You'd Never Think Were Orthodox Jews.

You think you know what Orthodox Jews look like. The media always depicts them the same way : beards, hats, wigs , and often pasty white. Rabbis, diamond dealers, and women pushing strollers . But ...

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Looking for Mr. Right

The Rebbe told me, “You are very different from each other. Remove him from your agenda.”

Thanks to a friend who posted this elsewhere.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Rebbe's Big Idea
Is Chabad relevant to world peace?

The Rebbe had a certain vision, a very radical vision, of heaven, earth and the human being. Radical, but somehow completely grounded in the same tradition in which all these crazy modern values are rooted.

This is a very very well written article that explains, in simple terms, the existential question of why we are here and what being here means in everyday life.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

The Google Glass Tefillin Stand: Geeky Religious Marketing

A reader who is actually an ex-Googler and orthodox Jew, forwarded me an email he received from the Chabad of Stanford that was titled

Only Chabad baby!

Miscellaneous | Judaism

A Father Reflects on the Tragedy in Boston

Boston-area rabbi writes about responding to his children’s questions.

I agree completely.

Miscellaneous | Judaism

Parshat Truma: Giving of ourselves

A person who gives of his strengths or of his money gives mainly of himself.