Tu B’Shvat has great significance in the agricultural laws that are relevant in the Land of Israel. The 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat (which falls on Thursday February 13, 2025 this week) is called Tu B’Shvat. It is the cut-off date in the Hebrew calendar for calculating Read more…
Recently I was shopping in Jerusalem at a supermarket and the Land’s bounty on display was overwhelming. What a blessing (bracha)! Among the huge variety of fruit we found some wonderful “Apple Pears” pictured on the right. This locally grown Asian fruit is crisp, fresh and sweet with a bit Read more…
PURIM GROGGER FOR YOU Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday that celebrates the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. This year Purim falls on March 14, 2025. One of the most fun traditions associated with Purim is the grogger, a small, Read more…
Moses Maimonides (Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon – known as RAMBAM ) was one of the greatest authorities on Torah Law. He lived in the 12th century and is best known for his master work the “Mishneh Torah” which is an encyclopedia of the 613 Commandments of the Torah and how Read more…
It is a custom when visiting a Jewish cemetery to leave small memorial stones at the grave of a loved one. Throughout the centuries the tradition of leaving a pebble or small memorial stones on the monument or the grave has become part of the act of remembrance. In ancient Read more…
Notes and sources below the Rosh HaShanah video!!! About Rabbi Shmuel Veffer Rabbi Veffer who presents this webinar on Rosh HaShana – The Jewish New Year, is most widely known as the inventor of the KosherLamp and producer of Galilee Green Olive Oil. However he has been a leader in Read more…
“See, this day I set before you blessing and curse:” (Deuteronomy 11:26) WAR UPDATE 41 There have been a lot of “reality checks” this past week here in Israel. Each one seemed to upturn conventional wisdom. 1. PREEMPTIVE STRIKE IN LEBANON Many experts said we had to “finish” with Hamas Read more…
Early in the war, IDF Soldiers prayed at the 6th century synagogue in Gaza. (The Synagogue was being used before the Islamic invasion 636 by Caliph Omar who had a dome built on the ruins of King Solomon’s Temple Mount) A while ago I took this photo of the mosaic Read more…
If you look closely at the modern Israeli 10 Agorot coin, you’ll notice something strange. It has an engraving of an irregular-shaped ancient coin on it. That ancient coin was minted by Mattathias Antigonus (Matityahu), the last King of the Hasmonean Dynasty. As you may know, the Maccabees who defeated Read more…
The period between Passover and Shavuot is the time period when we count the days of the “Omer” – Sefirat HaOmer. However the period also carries with it several customs related to mourning. The Talmud (Yevamot 62b) explains that 33 day mourning period during these weeks is to commemorate Rabbi Read more…
Over 300 yummy recipes!
