Sefirat Ha’Omer – Should We Not Celebrate? On the second night of Pesach, we began counting the Omer. Night after night, for 49 nights, we count down to Shavuot, that […]
Why is Lag Baomer Celebrated? The Kabbalistic Approach There are many customs associated with Lag BaOmer that stem from Kabbalah. This is because Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author/compiler of Kabbalistic […]
Lag Ba’omer, the 33rd day of Sefirat Haomer begins in the evening of Monday, May 8 this year. Unlike the rest of this mourning period, celebrations are allowed on this […]
Download and enjoy a lag baomer coloring page to mark the 33rd day of the Omer, courtesy of betweencarpools. Download here
Sefirot are defined as emanations, meaning an abstract but perceptible concept that originates from a source. While we are involved in counting Sefirat Haomer, we also have an opportunity to […]
On the second night of Passover, religious Jews begin counting something known as Sefirat Haomer or “The Counting of the Omer”. Beginning on the first night from number one, we […]
The beginning of this week’s Torah reading, Parshas Emor, discusses the revered status the Kohanim have. The Torah says that the people of this priestly tribe have distinct holiness and […]
In this week’s Torah portion, Parshas Emor (lit. speak), Hashem instructs Moshe to teach the kohanim (priests) the special laws that pertain to them. We learn that a kohen must […]
A short, inspirational message from Rabbi Chaim Mintz on the time period of sefira
The main topic of the book of Vayikra (Leviticus) is the korbanos, sacrificial service. This is a topic that is generally poorly understood and one that is often surrounded by […]
Signaling Intentions: A Lesson from the Road While driving on a busy street in an unfamiliar part of town, I saw a car parked in front of a house. Its […]
The Weight of Warning: A Reminder of Consequences In the beginning of this week’s Torah reading, God instructs Moshe (Moses) to warn Aaron and his sons to refrain from entering […]
The Spiritual Liberation of Pesach On Pesach (Passover), we celebrate our liberation from the oppression we suffered in Egypt, as we say in the holiday prayers, Pesach is the time […]
The Potion for Life: A Lesson in Eternal Rewards This week’s Torah reading discusses the process of purification of a Metzora – one who was afflicted with the disease of […]
Marie Antoinette and Pesach Delicacies: A Comparison When told that the French peasants had no bread to eat, Marie Antoinette is reputed to have said, “Let them eat cake.” Intended […]
Driving with Patience: A Lesson in Temperance When it comes to my driving, I tend to be a little more patient than my passengers sometimes like. If someone cuts me […]
The Mourning of a Metzora: A Reflection on Sin This week’s Torah reading discusses the laws of a Metzora – someone afflicted with the unique disease of Tzara’at. One of […]
The Spiritual Aspect of Food This week’s Torah reading dictates laws pertaining to the Kosher diet; which animals we may eat and which we may not eat. The Abarbanel explains […]
Morning Rituals: Connecting Across Time Zones With a daughter in Israel, catching up on the day can be challenging. You see, when she’s well into the main part of her […]
The Meaning of the Korban Todah (Todah Sacrifice) This week’s Torah reading discusses the Korban Todah. During the time that korbanot (sacrifices) were brought, the Korban Todah was offered by […]