Judaism, Lessons, Times

Public Pressure

It is difficult to understand the attitude in Moshe's statement to Heaven that it had not yet freed the Jewish people from Egyptian bondage. Moshe certainly realized that Heaven was aware of the promises.

The Natural Process of Redemption is Even Better!

For many reasons, contrary to popular belief, the natural process of redemption is, according to Rav Kook & the Maharal, is even better! The topic is connected with why the world was created via evolution and analyzing through examples why skipping stages in many aspects of life is counterproductive.

SECULAR IN ISRAEL OR RELIGIOUS ABROAD? WHAT'S BETTER?

Would it be better for all of the Jews to be religious outside of Israel, or to be non-religious in Israel?

Don't Try this at Home

Rav Kook innovatively explains some difficulties in two Talmudic stories via relating to the issue of questioning G-d, and the difference between the great Torah scholars and the masses. This issue comes up often in the context of the Shoah and offers much food for thought.

What Do These "Shovavim" Days Mean to Us?

The initial letters of the weekly Torah portions that we read publicly over the course of the next few weeks, starting with Shmot, spell out the Hebrew word "Shovavim." Thus, the coming weeks are the "Days of Shovavim," widely regarded as days of fasting and atonement.

For more Articles

Daily Times in Jerusalem

27 Tevet 5786 | 16/1/2026

Daily Times | more times

06:38 Sunrise
8:38 Kriyat Shma MGA
9:14 Kriyat Shma GRA
11:48 Chatzot (Midday)
17:03 Sunset
17:22 Tzet Hakochavim

Shabbat Va'era

28 Tevet 5786

Shabbat Times | Parashat Hashavua

16:23 Candle lighting
17:39 End of Shabbat
18:17 Rabeinu Tam
14:23 Tenth hour

Interesting articles

Hand Washing Requirements

When do you need to wash hands 3 times and with a vessel?

Way of elohim

How can I know if this desire comes from God or is mine alone? What signs should I look for to discern His will?

Moshiach

I was told that the Moshiach is here but is waiting to show himself. Is this true? If so, why am I not reading about this all over the religious sites?

Songs and soundtracks.

I pay for something that makes soundtracks, it removes the vocals from the song and I am left with the song. Is it halachically permitted for me to make soundtracks for people that ask and sell it for 10 dollars? If not, can I only sell the songs that dont have a soundtrack?

Ask the Rabbi

Rabbi Ari Shvat

parents sleeping with teenagers on vacation

Rabbi David Sperling

Tachanun

Rabbi Elchanan Lewis

Selecting the Parasha of Bar Mitzvah

Rabbi David Samson

Don’t worry be happy!

Rabbi Ari Shvat

not going to mikveh when marriage is shaky

Ask Your Question:

An Urgent Family Purity Question (Hebrew Only)Ask a Question Ask the Rabbi Whatsapp Group

Daily Halacha

2 boxes on the tefillin shel yad

Rabbi David Sperling

Question

The questioner may be referring to the 2 containers (box within a box) for the shel-yad bayit (the shel rosh only has one)

Answer

Shalom, Thank you for your comments. Of course, now that you mention it, the question may very well have been asking about the extra covering that some people have on the arm tefillen. This extra covering is purely to keep the tefillen in good shape, and is not required at all. In fact, some opinions like to keep the tefillin open so that they can be touched during the prayer service. In order to facilitate this, I have seen a smaller cover for the arm tefillen that only covers the very top edges of the tefillen box. But even this smaller cover is purely optional – and to the best of my knowledge all types of extra covers for the arm tefillin are a fairly new practice. Blessings.

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