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The Halachot of Yom Kippur
“Erev” Yom Kippur Fasting Washing “Issur Melacha” All melachot that are prohibited on Shabbat are prohibited on Yom Kippur. Anointing The prohibition of anointing on Yom Kippur means that one may not spread oils on one’s body. Wearing leather shoes Leather shoes may not be worn, while those of other materials may, including rubber, cloth,…
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Pregnancy and Fasting on Yom Kippur
Fasting on Yom Kippur is one of the few mitzvot whose punishment is karet, the most severe form of punishment for a sin. This said, even on Yom Kippur, in the case of pikuach nefesh, we will find that leniencies exist permitting (or even requiring) one to eat. In this article we will briefly discuss…
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Yom Kippur: Dating Lessons from Moshe Rabbeinu and Adolf Hitler
Moshe Rabbeinu and Adolf Hitler. Two leaders with tremendous followings who were able to greatly influence the people they led. It’s easy to contrast the two, with Hitler being so evil and Moshe Rabbeinu so righteous. They each used their gift of speech on their path to leadership, but the dichotomy between them serves as…
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The Halachot of Rosh Hashanah
On the eve of Rosh Hashanah we do “hatarat nedarim” (the undoing of vows). A woman who cannot do so before a bet din may appoint her husband, or any other person, to perform it on her behalf. Two candles are lit on each day of Rosh Hashanah. One must be careful to leave a…
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A New Reading of the Book of Life
Each new year offers an opportunity to take pen in hand and write differently…
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A Feminine Perspective on the Shofar
The shofar physically resembles the birth canal…
