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Articles by Mendel Adelman
The Man For the Job
The Dnieper River sat frozen and still, flanking a city with a hole in its heart. It was the 1st of January, 1908, and one block from the frozen banks of the Dnieper, the Jewish community of Ekaterinaslav was in mourning. Their leader, Rabbi Dov Ze’ev Kozevnikov, had just passed away. Since its founding in the late 18th century, the Jewish community had chosen followers of the Chabad rebbes to be their leaders, and Rabbi Dov Ze’ev was no exception.
What Is Pidyon Shevuyim?
Pidyon shevuyim is the redeeming of captives. Throughout our history, many Jews have been taken captive and ransomed or sold as slaves. There is an obligation upon Jews and Jewish communities to ensure the release of Jewish captives. Usually, this meant paying their ransom. It also extends to other efforts to free people who have been incarcerated. Who Is a Captive? There are two categories of captives: War captives. This refers to anyone captured by an enemy army, bandits, or slave raiders.
What Is Chesed?
Chesed (חסד) is the Hebrew word for “kindness.” It can refer either to acts of kindness taken to help another, or a Kabbalistic sefira, the first of the seven emotions or Divine attributes, associated with the right side. As one of “the three pillars upon which the world stands,” chesed stems from the responsibility of each individual to help others in need. Classic acts of chesed (kindness) in Torah literature include visiting the sick, helping to bury the dead, and inviting guests.
What Are Hadassim?
Hadassim (הדסים) are myrtle branches, one of the four species G‑d commands us to take on the Festival of Sukkot. The Torah describes them as “branches of a rope-like tree.” Rashi explains that this refers to the myrtle, whose leaves intertwine. Measurements The Talmud teaches that a lulav must have at least three myrtle branches, and that they must each be at least three handsbreadths long.
Who Was Rabbeinu Bachye Ben Asher?
Who Was Rabbeinu Bachye Ben Asher? Rabbeinu Bachye ben Asher was a 13th-century Spanish rabbi, author of a famous commentary on the Torah commonly called Rabbeinu Bachye Al HaTorah. Biography Rabbeinu Bachye was born in 1255 in Spain. Nothing is known about his early life, but he was likely born into a scholarly family. Although no teachings are extant from his father, Rabbeinu Bachye cites the teachings of his scholarly grandfather, a sage named Rabbi Natan.
What Is Maftir?
Before the haftarah is read, the reader of the haftarah is called up to the Torah for a final aliyah. The last few lines of the weekly reading are reread in an aliyah called maftir. On holidays and special occasions, the maftir is read from a different section of the Torah that connects to the theme of the day. What Does Maftir Mean?
What Is Kabbalat Shabbat?
Greeting the Shabbat Queen Kabbalat Shabbat is a group of psalms and prayers we recite at the beginning of Friday night services. Any royal visit merits a welcoming party, and Shabbat is no exception.
What Is the Haftarah?
The haftarah is a section from the Prophets that is read after the Torah reading on Shabbat, festivals, and fast days. The specified section always has some connection to the theme of the parshah or the time of year. It has a minimum of 21 verses on Shabbat, and at least 15 verses on festivals. Why Do We Read the Haftarah?
What Is Elijah’s Cup?
Elijah’s cup is a cup of wine that is poured towards the end of the Passover Seder and left undrunk. Many families have a special goblet set aside for this purpose. What Is Elijah Doing at the Seder? Elijah’s time on earth did not end on a deathbed, like the rest of us. It ended in a fiery ascension to heaven. But the thing about ascending to heaven while still alive is that it gives you the ability to return much more easily.
What Is Eichah?
Eicha is the Hebrew name for the Book of Lamentations, composed by the Prophet Jeremiah before the destruction of the first Holy Temple. It is a book of acrostic poems in the order of the Hebrew alphabet, recounting the horror of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. The five poems of Eicha drip with agony as the prophet describes the siege and its aftermath. Read: When Was Eichah Written?
What Is Atah Hareita?
Atah Hareita is the name commonly used to describe a special prayer, recited responsively in Jewish communities right before the Hakafot of Simchat Torah. It begins with the verse “You have been shown, in order to know that the L-rd, He is G‑d, there is none else besides Him.” In Hebrew, this verse begins with the words “atah hareita” (אַתָּה הָרְאֵתָ, also pronounced “atoh horaiso”), so the entire prayer has become known by that phrase. What Is the Source for Saying Atah Hareita?
What Is Al Chet?
The Al Chet prayer is part of the text of Vidui, the Jewish confession, and one of the bedrocks of Yom Kippur services. Al Chet literally means “for the sin.” In this prayer, we enumerate the many ways we may have transgressed over the previous year and ask G‑d to forgive us. Why Do We Confess? This prayer can be traced back to the Jewish nation’s sojourn through the desert.
Questions & Answers about Moshiach and the Redemption
ב"ה Who is Moshiach and how will we know when he's coming? Is the world really getting better? Could global warming be a sign that the Messiah is about to arrive? I learned that the Torah predicts that in the future the “covering of the sun” will be removed, and wicked people will melt in the intense heat. Maybe this is describing the hole in the ozone layer.
What Is the Temple Mount?
Located to the east of Jerusalem’s historic Old City, the Temple Mount, once home to both Holy Temples, is the holiest place on earth. Although the Temple no longer stands, throughout the millennia Jews have gathered at the wall supporting the mountain’s western flank (“the Western Wall”) to pray. The Temple Mount is a portal—the place where the veil separating earth from the spiritual plane is most translucent. Our sages tell us that it is the conduit through which all prayers ascend to heaven.
Essays on the Rabbinic Period
Who Was Judas Maccabeus? Judah Maccabee was one of the leaders of the Jewish guerilla freedom fighters who drove the Seleucid Greek occupiers out of Judea in 139 BCE. Let’s explore the Jewish court system, from the ancient Sanhedrin to modern-day rabbinical courts. His teachings and lessons have become ingrained in Jewish culture, making a permanent mark on the ethos of Judaism today. Hillel the Elder (Hillel Hazaken) is one of the most influential rabbis in Jewish history.
Ezra the Scribe
Ezra the Scribe (Ezra HaSofer) led the second wave of Jews returning from Babylon to Israel. He headed the religious revival of the people there at the beginning of the Second Temple era. He also led the Men of the Great Assembly, one of the most influential groups of scholars in Jewish history. In This Article: Ezra’s Early Life Very little is known about the early life of Ezra the Scribe. He was born in Babylon to a priestly family, and dedicated himself to the study of the Torah.
Rebecca of the Bible
Rebecca (Rivkah in Hebrew), the second of four Jewish matriarchs, was the wife of Isaac. She gave birth to Esau and Jacob, and was instrumental in Jacob receiving the special birthright blessings from his father. Rebecca was born in Haran to Bethuel, Abraham’s nephew. She was raised there with her brother, Laban. Although her father and brother were steeped in idol worship and immorality, she remained unaffected.
Hillel the Elder
Hillel the Elder (Hillel Hazaken) is one of the most influential rabbis in Jewish history. He was the head of a school, the House of Hillel, that eventually became the primary academy for Torah study prior to the destruction of the Second Temple. His title, the Elder, differentiated him from the later Hillels, including his descendant, Hillel Hakatan (“the Small”). He is the ancestor of Judah the Prince, who compiled the Mishnah.
Aaron of the Bible
Aaron the High Priest (Aharon Hakohen) was the first high priest of the Israelites, as recorded in the Hebrew Bible. He was born in Egypt and served in the Tabernacle throughout most of the 40 years that the Jews traveled through the desert. Aaron was the brother of Moses and Miriam, and the progenitor of all future priests (kohanim). He was remembered as a peace-maker, beloved by all. Aaron was the second child born to Amram and Yocheved more than 83 years before the Exodus.
Why Were the Israelites Still Afraid of Pharaoh?
It was an ambush. A Divinely ordained ambush: Speak to the children of Israel, and let them turn back and encamp in front of Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; in front of Baal Zephon, you shall encamp opposite it, by the sea. And Pharaoh will say about the children of Israel, “They are trapped in the land.
Isaac’s Wells
Three Torah sections—Lech Lecha, Vayeira and Chayei Sarah—chronicle the life and deeds of Abraham. An even greater number are devoted to the life of Jacob. Isaac is the central figure in only one—the Parshah of Toldot. We read of the “Binding of Isaac” in Vayeira, but there the story is told wholly from Abraham’s perspective. Similarly, the greater part of Chayei Sarah is about how a wife is found for Isaac, but Isaac himself is not at all involved in the process.
How 49 and 49 Equal 49 - Sefirat HaOmer
Here are a few (paraphrased) statements for you to contrast: Statement A: “The Jews in Egypt were on the 49th level of impurity.” (One step away from the very bottom, the 50th level of impurity.) Statement B: “The Jews were on the 49th level of holiness when they got the Torah.” (One step away from the very top, the 50th level of holiness.) Statement C: The 49 days of Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Omer) help us traverse those 49 levels so that we will be ready accept the Torah.
Will We Use Technology to Build the Third Temple? - Questions & Answers
When Moshiach comes and the Temple is rebuilt, what role will technology play in the construction process? Will we be using laser cutters and cranes, or will we be using the Iron Age techniques of the first two Temples? Many Jewish thinkers say that the third Temple will miraculously descend from heaven, and we will just add the doors.In that scenario, floodlit construction sites or backhoes will not be necessary.
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