Category: Moadim/Holidays

Pesach and the Problem of Passive Participation

by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on April 4, 2018

There is a great irony in the fact that Pesach, the hag which commemorates the historical period of greatest activity and upheaval, is actually quite tame and uneventful once the sedarim are over.  Other than the Seder night, there are no special mitzvot or rituals.…

How is Pesach Like Shabbat? Or: The Rehabilitation of Hametz

by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on March 29, 2018

At this time of year, hametz tends to get a bad rap.  In Hassidic literature it symbolizes the yetzer ha’ra, the evil inclination.  The only problem with this symbolism is that for the other 51 weeks of the year we have no problem with hametz; we actually enjoy it a great deal. …

Midnight Approaches and I haven’t Eaten the Afikomen

Kyra Young (Posted on March 28, 2018)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

This teshuvah is the fifth in a new series of teshuvot related to the yamim tovim. Each teshuvah is introduced with a small biography of the author, and teshuvot are chosen to reflect a diverse range of halakhic approaches featuring pre-modern and modern poskim from different geographical areas.…

See and Sanctify

by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on March 15, 2018

החדש הזה לכם ראש חדשים – This month, the month of Nissan, shall be for you the first of the months.  So opens parashat HaChodesh.  It is the first mitzvah given to the Children of Israel, to sanctify the months – כזה ראה וקדש – like this, when the moon, in the midst of darkness, appears once again, like this shall you see and sanctify.…

Reading the Megillah in English

Kyra Young (Posted on February 26, 2018)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

Rabbi Meir Ben Zion Hai Uziel (1880-1953) was the Rishon Li’tziyyon (Sephardi Chief Rabbi) at the time of the founding of the State of Israel. He served as Chief Rabbi of Salonica, a major Jewish community pre- World War II, and of Tel Aviv.…

There’s No Going Home Again? – Where Do Travelers, Guests, and College Students Light Hanukkah Candles?

by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on December 14, 2017

Many of us fondly remember precious moments with our families during Hanukkah – lighting candles, singing songs, eating latkes, and playing dreidel. The family-oriented strand of this holiday is actually deeply woven into its mitzvot and halakhic requirements. The obligation rests not on the individual, as is the case with almost all other mitzvot, but on the household as a unit, ner ish u’veito, a candle for the person and his household.…

Urban Living: Where to Light Your Menorah

Bina Westrich (Posted on December 12, 2017)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

This teshuvah is the fourth in a series of teshuvot related to the yamim tovim. Check out the first, second, and third teshuvot as well. Each teshuvah is introduced with a small biography of the author, and teshuvot are chosen to reflect a diverse range of halakhic approaches featuring pre-modern and modern poskim from different geographical areas.…

Less Fire, More Light – Lighting Hanukkah Candles Without Burning Your House Down

by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on December 7, 2017

The story of Yosef and his brothers has, on the face of it, nothing to do with Hanukkah. But as it is often read right around Hanukkah time, it is not surprising that attempts have been made to find connections to Hanukkah.…

Is There a Bracha for Sukkah Hopping?

Bina Westrich (Posted on October 3, 2017)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

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Not Wearing Shoes Doesn’t Mean Going Barefoot

Bina Westrich (Posted on September 26, 2017)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

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Time to Build the Sukkah!

by Rabbi Dov LinzerPosted on September 18, 2017

There is a practice to build the sukkah immediately following Yom Kippur, to begin involving ourselves with mitzvot as soon as possible so as to turn our teshuvah process into action. But building a sukkah is not just one mitzvah of many mitzvot; it can be seen as a model of how we can live our lives better in the year to come.…

The Prayers of Small Gestures

Bina Westrich (Posted on September 12, 2017)
From the Lindenbaum Center for Halakhic Studies

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