Halachot Shabbat: Separating the Juice from the Fruit
If a person wants to drink the juice that’s part of the compote, he is permitted to select it from the container with the juice and fruits. One may do so by tilting the container, thereby letting the juice come out and allowing the fruits to remain in the vessel.
Parshat Shlach: Praising the Land of Israel
This week we read Parshat Shlach. Finally, we have arrived at the conclusion of the story. We are heading home—to the place promised to Avraham Avinu so many generations ago.
Coffee Culture
Cafes are very popular in Israel, practically on every corner, because Israel has a definite coffee culture.
The Big Boys Battle Over Control of an Israeli Start-up
For a young Israeli company to build an app that brings together both Google and Facebook in battle is quite a feat.
As President Shimon Peres Turns 90…
Shimon Peres, Israel’s ninth president, turns 90 on August 2. Part of the prestigious Presidential Conference, taking place on June 18-20, will be dedicated to celebrating his entry into his nonagenarian years.
A Jewel in the Crown
A short ride outside of Jerusalem, in the suburb of Ramat Motza, is a large building with the word, Yvel. Yvel is Levy spelled backwards and the home of the international jewelry company founded by Orna and Isaac Levy.
Spotlight on Tveria, Northern Israel
Residents of chutz l’aretz are usually surprised that I live in Tveria. They think Tveria is a resort city and great place to bring the family for vacation, especially during the Chaggim, but to live here…?
Self Pity in Zionist Circles: Good or Bad?
Zionist activists in Israel and abroad seem to have settled on a theme du jour for just about everything they say and do. “Israel is being unfairly treated by the world.” I see it in the news every day and it’s becoming a menace. Not because it’s not true but because it’s being misapplied.
Israel Applying Begin Doctrine in Conflict with Syria
Former PM Menachem Begin championed the doctrine of prevention and preemption when it came to Israel’s enemies. His 1981 strike on the Osirik nuclear plant is well-documented as one of the most daring raids by the Israeli Air Force.
Where it all Began: Tikkun Leil Shavuot in Ramat Hasharon
The night was still young and the yeshiva students were just beginning to get into their groove. It was Shavuot night, when Jews around the world stay up learning as a “tikkun”
Come to the Jerusalem Railway Station
After 15 years being closed, the Jerusalem Railway Station reopened May 14, 2013, before Shavuot, under the name, The First Station, for a full day of exciting, fun activities.
What Judaism Means to Me
Judaism means everything to me. It’s a part of my life from the second I get up in the morning to the moment I fall asleep at night–and it also accompanies me in my dreams.
Interview with MK Boaz Toparovsky, A Friend and Role Model
Boaz Toparovsky is an old-time friend and now a member of the Knesset. He represents Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid, a party that no one expected to get a staggering 19 mandates in the recent elections.
The Vision
It appeared to me in a dream, What was it who knows? Behind its hideous mask, the soul of the creature arose, For beneath it somewhere, I could sense a familiar stare, Could it possibly be? A reminder, a twinkle of hope, In the ocean of thought so remote, So far and yet so near, That I shook and trembled in fear, The mask’s lips slightly moved and a sound: Like the cry of a million trumpets, Like the beat of a million drums, And yet so sullen, so quiet, like a perilous journey begun.
Devar Halacha on Squeezing Lemon Juice into a Salad/Fish
It is permitted to squeeze out lemon juice onto a fish in order to improve its taste. The following are some important points on this halacha: It is not necessary…
6th of Sivan-9th of Sivan: Yahrtzeits of Famous Jewish Scholars this Week
Rav Avraham Mordechai Alter, the Imrei Emes of Ger, (1866-1948). The son of the Sefas Emes and a great-grandson of the Chidushei HaRim, he was the third Rebbe in the Gur dynasty, the leader of over 250,000 chassidim in pre-WW II Poland. The Imrei Emes was instrumental in establishing and expanding Agudas Yisroel, and was at the forefront of strengthening the Jewish community of Eastern European.
Street Food Eating in Israel
One of the nicest and most distinct Israeli traditions is food. Jews coming from the Middle East and Far East, from Europe, Australia, South Africa, North and South America—all adopted the local cooking habits to their dietary laws and passed them on to their children. The cooking style of the countries where they lived came as part of their baggage when they made their way to Israel, and they blended with those who had come before them.
The Sadly Superficial Stephen Hawking
As the “Daily Mail” said, “Stephen Hawking is someone we admire.” Almost fully paralyzed and able to communicate only through a speech-generating device, his brilliant mind has illuminated the universe’s mysteries for all of humanity.
Chodesh Sivan…Shavuot…Cheesecake!!!
Ask anyone about Shavuot, and the first thing that comes to mind is cheesecake. But, if we look deeply into the mystical aspects of this amazing month of Sivan, we will learn that embedded in the month are all the powers we need for strengthening our spiritual foundation for the entire year.
What’s the Difference Zionist Song
This is a song I wrote and recorded with my friend, Matvey (video by Speedy of SpeedyMedia) about a year ago. I’ve since posted it on Youtube, haven’t gotten very many views and haven’t tried too hard to promote it.
An Interview with MK Moti Yogev from 2005
Moti Yogev is a former commando chief; a man with a rare mixture of a deep love for the Land and people of Israel and a clear vision for the future.
Squeezing Out Lemon Juice into a Salad
It is permitted to squeeze out lemon juice into a salad in order to improve the taste of the vegetables*. One must squeeze the lemon directly on the vegetables (i.e., it is not permitted to squeeze out the lemon juice into a cup and then add it to the salad).
Squeezing out lemon juice into a salad is permitted even if the lemon juice will not be absorbed into the vegetables of the salad.
A Song (In Hebrew) Dedicated to Yom Yerushalayim and Rehavaam Ze’evi (Gandi) H”YD–שיר המולדת (לרגל יום ירושלים ולזכר גיבור ישראל, רחבעם זאבי “גנדי” ה”יד)
Today, Israel celebrates Yom Yerushalayim, the 46th anniversary of the liberation of the Old City of Jerusalem. It’s a day when Israelis take to the streets to mark the unification…