A Holocaust Kaddish for All

A Fast Day on a Friday!?

Where Was G-d in the Holocaust?

The question in the headline is not one that is simply "asked;" it is rather cried out in pain! Unlike many questions that do not have an intellectual answer – such as, "Where was G-d when a baby died yesterday? Where was He during a variety of catastrophes that have occurred throughout history, some even worse than the Holocaust?" – it is specifically the Shoah that continually ignites anew the "Where was G-d?" debate. Delving deeper, we note that the reason for this actually directs us towards a more profound issue. Our question is actually a cry of despair that the Shoah appears to justify. For the Holocaust did not sprout up in a vacuum

Via the Internet!

Translated by Hillel Fendel

The translation of the Torah into Greek was mourned by the Rabbis. How, then, should we spread the light of Torah in the world?

Adorn yourself first!

Translated by Hillel Fendel

The translation of the Torah into Greek was mourned by the Rabbis. How, then, should we spread the light of Torah in the world?

The 3 Things To Remember

Translated and edited by Hillel Fendel

What is the fast about? The Prophets and Sages instituted it after the destruction of the First Holy Temple, for on this date the Babylonian King Nevuchadnetzar and his armies began a siege upon the holy city.

11. The Torah Reading for Fast Days

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

During Shaĥarit and Minĥa of public fast days, we read the section of the Torah that describes how God forgave Israel after the sin of the Golden Calf .

12. Birkat Kohanim at Minha

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

On ordinary fast days, when we do not pray Ne’ila, the law depends on when the congregants pray Minĥa. If a congregation that recites Birkat Kohanim prays Minĥa at the same time that Ne’ila would take place, i.e., shortly before shki’a, the Kohanim bless the people

10. The Aneinu Prayer

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

The Sages prescribed the addition of a special berakha during the ĥazan’s repetition of the Amida on fast days.

7. Sick People Are Exempt from Fasting

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

The prophets and the Sages instituted the fasts for healthy people, not for sick people. anyone who is sick is exempt from fasting, even if his condition is not life-threatening.

8. Pregnant and Nursing Women on Tisha Be-Av and the Minor Fast Days

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

Pregnant and nursing women must fast on Tisha Be-Av. However, pregnant and nursing women need not fast on the minor fast.

9. Minors, Bridegrooms, and Soldiers

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

The Halacah of fasts reguarding Minors, Bridegrooms, and Soldiers.

6. One Who Forgets That It Is a Fast Day

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

One who accidentally eats or drinks on a fast day must continue fasting, because these days were instituted as fast days due to the distress that we experienced on them.

5. Rinsing One’s Mouth

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

Le-khatĥila, one should not wash his mouth on the minor fasts, because there is concern that one might swallow drops of water.

4. Eating and Drinking Before Dawn

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

Even though the fast starts at alot ha-shaĥar, one’s prohibition to eat sometimes begins the night before.

2. The Laws of the Minor Fasts

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

since we no longer suffer from harsh decrees and religious persecution, and, on the other hand, the Holy Temple is still in ruins, the status of the minor fasts currently depends on the will of the Jewish people.

1. The Status of the Minor Fasts Today

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

The Jewish people observe all the fasts, even in the intermediate situation, and therefore all Jews are obligated to fast on these days.

3. The Duration of the Minor Fasts

Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts

The minor fasts last from dawn (alot ha-shaĥar) until tzeit ha-kokhavim (when three medium-sized stars are visible in the sky).

2. Asara Be-Tevet

Chapter 6: The Four Fasts Commemorating the Destruction of the Temple

The prophets established a fast day on the tenth of Tevet, because that is when Nebuchadnezzar and his army arrived to besiege Jerusalem.

1. The Institution of the Fasts

Chapter 6: The Four Fasts Commemorating the Destruction of the Temple

After the destruction of the First Temple, the prophets instituted fast days in commemoration of the terrible events surrounding its destruction and the exile of the Jews from their land.