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practices done by other nations, if performed for
a certain benefit, such as to show honor, are
permitted to Jews. To protect Jewish specialness,
Chazal forbade adopting non-Jewish customs in two
categories: 1) If the act is linked to idolatry
or another form of worship (e.g. holding our
hands together or kneeling as is done in church);
or 2) If the act has no apparent reason
whatsoever, as its origin may then stem from an
idolatrous or pagan practice. But where the act
is not religious in nature, & has a definite
purpose, it is allowed. Thus wearing a suit &
tie, marching in a parade, sending a get-well
note to an ill person or standing in respect at a
memorial siren is perfectly permissible – even
laudable. The failure to show honor to the fallen
not only demonstrates a lack of Hakarat HaTov, it
is poraysh mim ha-tzibur, separating the wider
community & promoting disunity & acrimony between
Jews, which in & of itself creates a Chillul Hashem.
Due Respect on "Yom HaZikaron"
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Nisan 5763
Lessons from Gush Etzion, Hevron – and My Great-Grandfather
Rabbi Moti Weissrosen | Iyar 5 5782
“I Shall Be Sanctified”
Rabbi Chaim Katz | 5765
A Tale of Two Fathers
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Iyar 8 5782
Keeping Kosher - Eating Out
Rabbi David Sperling
Mourning Customs During the Omer
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5764
Shir Hashirim
Various Rabbis | 5770
Shehecheyanu, Clothes, and Renovations During Sefira
Rabbi Daniel Mann
Ask the Rabbi: Finishing to Eat but Continuing to Drink
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Iyar 5785
Efforts to Buy Land – #315
Date and Place: 28 Sivan 5670 (1910), Yafo
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Iyar 5785
Daf Yomi Shevuot Daf 13
R' Eli Stefansky | 16 Iyar 5785
