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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- The Three Weeks
B'Av. The operative principle is, "When Av
commences, joy is lessened." We refrain from
business matters, building, recreational
activities, etc. to lessen pleasure. All those
over age 6 abstain from meat, poultry, wine or
grape juice, except on Shabbat or at a Seudat
Mitzva (siyum, Brit, Pidyon HaBen, etc). Beer &
whiskey is allowed. Food cooked in fleishig
utensils may be eaten. We do not purchase or
launder clothes, or wear freshly-laundered
clothes, if possible (except on Shabbat).
Underwear, socks & young kids’ clothes may be
laundered. Bathing for pleasure is not allowed;
but we assume that bathing/showering today is for
hygienic reasons & so is permitted. Swimming,
unless instructional, is avoided for those above
Bar/Bat Mitzva age. Pleasure trips & gift-giving
should also be avoided. This is Ashkenazic
custom; most Sefardim observe these practices
only in the week when Tisha B'Av occurs (this year August 11).
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Israel and the Nations A Few Minutes & Many Innovative Ideas on Antisemitism & What to do About It
As we approach the High Holidays, this short lecture (18 minutes) deals with the unfortunate situation of how Israel and the Jewish People stand against antisemitism, analyzing its cause according to Rav Kook, and how to deal with the issue pragmatically & via our prayers.
Ha'azinu PURSUIT is PERFECTION
p. Ha'azinu, Shabbat Shuva
Rav Kook deals with the question of the seemingly hopeless nature of Tshuva. For G-d Himself knows that He created us with free will, which inevitably means we will sometimes make mistakes and choose wrong. This can easily be frustrating, freezing us into inaction and ye'ush (loss of hope). If one sins even once, does he chalila have no choice but suicide?! Moreover, our Godly conscience demands justice, righteousness and perfection, but we all know this is impossible, so what's the solution? Rav Kook's innovative thinking, strongly based on chazal (our sages), offers an inciteful and important aspect to this topic, especially this time of year!
Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
