Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz My family has a tradition to commemorate yahrtzeits (nachalot– anniversaries of death) with a seudah (meal) at a restaurant, together with friends. But it has become very expensive, […]
Judaism 101
Understand the meaning behind Jewish commandments and how they connect to daily life and purpose.
Yaakov’s Final Blessings and the Language of Animals What does it mean that Yaakov (Jacob) compared some of his sons to animals? In this week’s Torah reading Yaakov calls all […]
My son is soon turning three. What do I need to do to prepare for his first haircut? In order to properly prepare for your son’s Chalakah/Upsherin ceremony, be sure […]
Read Upsherin Part 7: A Jewish Boy’s Introduction To Torah and Upsherin Part 9: The Upsherin Preparation Checklist By Rabbi Mayer Smith Upsherin Part 8 Sources: 1 Even Hasapir volume […]
Many Jewish parents have the custom of bringing their young “Upsherin boys” to a rebbi (Jewish Teacher) to begin the study of Torah.1 The rebbi introduces the young boy to […]
While parents prepare for their children’s Upsherin, they may find themselves somewhat confused. They may be wondering, “Yes, my child is of age to enjoy the excitement of a birthday […]
My friend took their three-year-old boy to their rabbi on the day of his Upsherin for a blessing. Should I do that too? This is a beautiful thing to do […]
These halachic guidelines are relevant for the Upsherin or any other haircut. (See illustrated guide here) One should not be ashamed of his pe’ot, rather he should carry them with […]
What is the most appropriate age for the Upsherin haircut? In most communities, the Upsherin (haircut) is done on the son’s third birthday. Like A Tree We find a source […]
And Sit There The verse in this week’s Torah reading, Parshat Vayishlach, says (35:1), “And God said to Yaakov (Jacob), “Get up and go up to Beit-El and sit there, […]
