Tribute to Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein ztl

For over 30 years, Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein ztl was a popular educator, speaker and fundraiser with a “heart of gold.” His hundreds of classes were delivered with a fiery passion and a deep love for all Jews. For many of his classes he never took a fee. He went above and beyond to reach out to numerous young men and women regardless of their religious affiliation. He even paid to send kids to yeshiva and to Israel.  Continue reading “Tribute to Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein ztl”

What mitzvah do we perform on Shavuos to commemorate the giving of the Torah?

Almost every Jewish holiday has a mitzvah that commemorates the event that took place on that day. On Pesach we eat Matzah, Sukkos we live in a Sukkah, Rosh Hashanah we blow the shofar (to commemorate that today is Judgement day). Yom Kippur we fast, on Chanukah we light the menorah and on Purim we listen to the Megillah. Continue reading “What mitzvah do we perform on Shavuos to commemorate the giving of the Torah?”

Sefiras HaOmer: Not just counting the days but making your days count

According to the Sefer HaChinuch, the reason we count the days between Pesach to Shavous is to show our great yearning and anticipation for the receiving of the Torah. When you are looking forward to an event, typically you count down the remaining days. For example, a bride looking forward to her wedding day will exclaim “ I am getting married In ten days, nine days, eight days!!!”  Continue reading “Sefiras HaOmer: Not just counting the days but making your days count”

Gratitude in March in New England – Spring and flowers and Pesach and Seders and a birthday!

Baruch Hashem. The view out my window this morning is one of bright sunshine, a clear blue sky, melting snow, and trees that hold the promise of budding leaves. My knitting needles are clicking and forming the last afghan- rainbow hued for that precious granddaughter- and are ready to tackle a more complicated project: a sweater, complete with new stitches and complicated directions. Speaking of complicated directions, allow me to digress for a moment. Continue reading “Gratitude in March in New England – Spring and flowers and Pesach and Seders and a birthday!”