It is my pleasure and honor to bring to your attention the recent publication of the fifth volume of “The Encyclopedia of the Taryag Mitzvoth” series focusing on those mitzvoth concerning all the major holiday observances. This review will center on observances germane to the Days of Awe, and Succos. more

High Holiday services have much ritual and tradition, with almost every shul having its own traditions (adjustments in nusach, prayers, and even how aliyot to the Torah are handed out). One tradition in every shul with which I have had the joy of spending the holidays is the rabbi’s sermon. The sermons are the prime time events of the holiday season. more

In our efforts to get closer to G-d in the days leading up to Rosh Hashana, every person employs a different strategy. more

As a rabbi, I’m starting to get a little nervous as my Jewdar is clanging off the hook, but my phone isn’t. Is it just me, or why is nobody talking about the High Holidays yet? more

The bulk of Parshat Ki Tavo is occupied by the Tokhacha, the great Rebuke that is promised to the Israelite nation in exchange for their infidelity to G-d. Prior to the curses and promises of destruction, there are 14 verses of blessing which, were we to keep our end of the deal, paint the Israelite existence in the Land as the most fantastic we could ever dream to experience. more

This week’s essay will focus upon some timely observations and precious words to learn and study for the remainder of the month of Elul. Rabbi Avi Shafran is perhaps one of the most perceptive observers of the Jewish scene today and the following observation by him deserves your attention: “For those who take this time of the Jewish year seriously — and all of us should — Elul’s days can be daunting...." more

To the editor: I very much appreciated your article on the recent Nefesh B’Nefesh flight [July 26]. Not only did you cover all of the facts, but the piece made me feel as if I actually knew the people that you mentioned in the story. more

Not for the first time, events elsewhere in the Middle East — the renewed bloodshed in Egypt and Israel’s decision to release 104 Palestinian terrorists because of American pressure — have pushed the Syrian civil war out of the limelight. But in the limelight is where it belongs. more

As usual, when the third week in August rolls in, I think back to the days when my kids returned from camp. After the initial nausea of opening the trunk wore off, we’d decide what special trip the family would take. more

During his negotiations to restart talks, Secretary of State Kerry reiterated President Obama’s position that Israel should begin negotiations by agreeing to return to the pre-1967 borders (they didn’t). Afterwards they criticized Israel’s move to build additional homes in existing communities. Put aside for a moment that Judea/Samaria is the only place in the world where the President of the United States believes people of a certain religion (Jews) are not allowed to live. What the President and the Secretary of State won’t admit to is, there is no such thing as pre-1967 borders. That imaginary “green line” running through the West Bank is the 1949 Armistice Line. But even the armistice lines were never meant to be a “border.” more