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By Rabbi Reuven J. Epstein Close your eyes and picture it: Greek soldiers, more than the eye can count, marching towards Jerusalem. They easily take Jerusalem and the entire land of Israel and impose harsh rules and decrees.  They prohibit Torah study, keeping Shabbat, and interfere with many Jewish laws and customs, and even bring Read More

In this week’s Torah portion, Sarah and Abraham, our first matriarch and first patriarch, pass away.  It is fascinating to observe the comments about Sarah and Abraham, as they grow older. First, we note that Abraham’s first prophecy was at the tender age of 75, G-d famously instructing him to leave his father’s house and Read More

During the three weeks we abstain from various joyous activities. As we get closer to Tisha B’Av we increase the number of restricted activities.  During the Three Weeks: Weddings are not performed. We don’t listen to music. We don’t attend public celebrations, particularly the type that are accompanied by dancing or music. We don’t get Read More

In addition to the restrictions listed for the Three Weeks, the following are added to the last nine days: We don’t cut our nails. We don’t launder clothing. We don’t eat meat, except on Shabbat. We don’t drink wine, except on Shabbat. We don’t move into a new home. We don’t shower or bath, (except Read More

In addition to the restrictions of the Three Weeks and Nine Days, on Tisha B’Av the following are also prohibited: Eating & Drinking. Washing Anointing. Rubbing on oil or perfume is prohibited, but deodorant is permitted, Leather Shoes. Marital Relations. Additionally, until mid-day, we emulate mourners sitting Shiva, and only sit on the ground or Read More

Tisha B’Av is the most challenging day of the Jewish calendar, by far. In addition to the tragedies mentioned in the Talmud above, there are plenty of more recent tragedies as well (The start of The Spanish Inquisition; the start of World War I; the liquidation of the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust, etc.). The Read More

There are six fast days on the Jewish calendar. The two major ones, Yom Kippur and Tisha B’Av are for about 25 hours. The other four, although still important days, last from pre-dawn until night fall. This leads directly to our first tip. Wake Up Early.  If you find even the shorter fast days challenging, Read More

          It appears to me that a certain percentage of the population views this time of year with so much trepidation that if it was possible, they would spend the entire Three Weeks locked away and never leave the house. In my own humble opinion this doesn’t seem appropriate. As is Read More

What is“Kaddish”? Kaddish, or more precisely “The Mourners’ Kaddish”, is the short prayer first said by mourners immediately after burial. Kaddish is said throughout the Shiva week during the prayer services, and daily at the synagogue during the eleven months after the death of a parent, and on the ‘yartzeit’, the anniversary of the relative’s Read More

יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא Yitgadal v’yitkadash sh’mei raba b’alma di-v’ra Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ B’alma di-v’ra chirutei, v’yamlich malchutei Throughout the world which He has created according to His will may He establish His kingdom בְּחַיֵּיכון וּבְיומֵיכון וּבְחַיֵּי דְכָל בֵּית יִשרָאֵל B’chayeichon uvyomeichon uvchayei d’chol beit Read More