As we put this issue of The Jewish Star to bed, we look forward to the much anticipated chag of Pesach. I actually have the pre-Pesach mindset starting from Chanukah, when I stop buying pasta and cereal (how does the closet get so full of chametz?) more

Sometimes, heroes are the most ordinary people, who rise to the most extraordinary occasions. Like Noam Apter. Friday night: White tablecloths and china, the sweet light of the Shabbat candles, and the singing of Shalom Aleichem, a song of peace that begins every Shabbat dinner in every Jewish home. No matter where Jews have been, and how unwelcoming and challenging the world around them has been, they are still singing of peace on Friday nights. And this particular Friday night in the Yeshiva at Otniel was no different. Except that while the students of this yeshiva and their families were singing of peace, no one heard the silent click of wire cutters slicing through the security fence. more

A number of Midrashim pose the question (ascribed either to Rabbi Yoseh, Yosi, or Dosa), “Why do children begin learning the [Chumash] from the section about korbanot [offerings]?” And the answer is, “Because just as the korbanot are pure, so are the children pure.” more

I might as well start getting ready for Shavuot. It seems Chanukah was just yesterday. How is it possible it’s almost Pesach??? Here we go again….the shopping, cleaning, preparing, cooking, serving and not to mention another Pesach article I have to come up with. Last year I came up with two really funny ones, not sure I can top those. I suggest you look them up on the Internet, seriously. more

The Pesach seder is a ritual based upon questions. The evening’s proceedings begin with questions--four of them. And, even before the holiday, the teachings leading up to the holiday are enveloped with questions concerning observance, ritual, diet, and other cognate matters that make this season a rabbi’s delight at being the one most sought after for the correct answers. more

You [Moshe] shall make a washstand (kiyor) of copper and its base of copper for washing, and you shall place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water therein. (Sefer Shemot 30:18) And he [Bezalel] made the washstand (hakiyor) of copper and its base of copper from the mirrors of the women who had set up the legions, who congregated at the entrance of the tent of meeting. (Ibid. 38:8) He [Moshe] placed the washstand (hakiyor) between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and there he put water for washing. more

With this week doubling as a (double) parsha plus Parshat HaChodesh, we find the coincidence of the date of “HaChodesh” making an appearance in the parsha - “On the day of the first new moon, on the first of the month, you will erect the Mishkan.” (40:2) Commentaries are struck by the seeming redundancy – why does the Torah say “on the first of the month” when that date is obvious based on the previous phrase in the verse? more

The DMV is something of a cliché. DMV jokes are so numerous, that the government has actually changed the name in various states. The list of jokes have gotten so long it’s actually longer than the actual lines at the DMV. So, needless to say, I wasn’t happy when I had to go to the DMV to renew my registration, which came about in a humorous way. more

Once again it is my pleasure to bring to your attention several Haggadah commentaries in English that I am certain will enrich both your Seders and your basic knowledge of Pesach purpose, history and ritual. more

It’s been a year since Andrew Breitbart passed away. During his much too short life (he passed away at 43), Breitbart was hated by the left because he helped create a movement on the right. Those who knew him still feel his loss. Breitbart’s number is still in my cell phone, his name is still in my Linkedin contacts and Facebook friends, and the spark of fire and passion he injected into everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting him is still burning in my heart. more