Chametz is prohibited on Pesach. What is it? One of the five grains (wheat, rye, oats, spelt, barley) mixed with water,and left idle for more than 18 minutes. As long as the dough is worked (kneaded), it cannot become Chametz. Our sages teach that Chametz represents haughtiness and ego (Guy-vah). On Pesach we destroy our […]
The theme of Purim and the Megillah is Hester Panim, the hiding of the Divine. God’s name does not appear in the Megillah. The miraculous salvation of the Jews doesn’t seems might like a coincidental chain of events that happen to come together in just the right way to produce the successful results. God is […]
This morning, Taanit Esther, they left out Tachanun and Avinu Malkeinu at the small Chassidic “Shtieble” where I occasionally daven. We usually skip these prayers on holidays, but today was a fast day? The character of Taanit Esther is unlike other fast days. Taanit Esther is actually part of Purim. On Purim we celebrate our […]
Here’s a short summary of the mitzvot (and minhagim) of Purim: 1. Monday is the Fast of Esther 2. Mitzvah: Monday night and Tuesday, we hear the Megillah read 3. It’s customary, before the reading of the Megillah at night, to doante the “half shekel”. They’ll usually have actual silver coins in shul. You donate […]
On the Shabbat preceding Purim (tomorrow morning) we read a special portion of the Torah called “Parshat Zachor”, which speaks about the obligation to wipe out the memory of Amalek. It is a Torah commandment to hear this portion read in the synagogue every year. Our Sages teach that the numerical value of “Amalek” is […]
In its discussion about the laws of Chanukah, the Talmud states that it is forbidden to use the light of the menorah to count one’s money, for doing so denigrates the importance of the mitzvah of the lights. This halacha teaches us a very deep lesson. Chanukah teaches us that miracles do happen. God is […]