Mothers of Jerusalem: A Prayer for the Protection of Our Children
Mothers of Jerusalem,
Your wail echoes in the hills,
Your grief resounds in the valleys,
Your prayer rises up into the luminous sky.
Blessing for Searching and Removing Leaven (Chametz)
One of the many fun customs associated with Passover is to search for, collect, and destroy any chametz (leavening or grain that ferments) in the house. Children are particularly enthusiastic about this “search and destroy” mission.
Passover Evening Blessings: Kiddush - Blessing over the Wine, Shabbat Version
Blessing over the wine for the festival of Passover when the seder falls on Friday night. The Shehecheyanu (see below) is recited after the kiddush, immediately before drinking the wine
Passover Evening Blessings: Kiddush - Blessing over the Wine, Weekday Version
Blessing over the wine for the festival of Passover, weekday version.
Passover Evening Blessings: Kiddush - Blessing over the Wine, Saturday Night Version
When the seder falls on a Saturday evening, a special, abbreviated version of Havdalah is recited before the Shehecheyanu is recited
Blessings for Festival and Yom Tov Candle Lighting
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Va-et'chanan: Why We Should Bring Politics to the Pulpit
Everybody has an opinion on whether politics should be brought to the pulpit, but according to Rabbi Jacobs, this debate was settled centuries ago.
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Eikev: A Seat at the Table
A chapter in Parashat Eikev reads, “when you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless.” What does it mean to be satisfied, and what kind of power does a good meal have?
On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - R'eih: Eating With Compassion
Parashat R’eih includes that infamous line: “you shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.” Jewish tradition categorizes the mitzvah of not mixing milk with meat as one without specific reasoning, but many scholars think th