Revivim

A Look at Tu B’Av

Bathing before ‘Shabbat Chazon’ The custom of the ‘Rishonim’ (leading rabbis who were deciders of Jewish law and lived between 1050 and 1500) was not to bathe on the days before Tisha B’Av. However, before ‘Shabbat Chazon’ (the Shabbat preceding Tisha B’Av), all Jews are accustomed to bathe. According to the Sephardic ‘minhag’ (custom), one … Read more

Washing During the Week of Tisha B’Av Q: Can I wash and shampoo during the week of Tisha B’Av, and what is the halacha when refraining from bathing causes real distress? A: According to the ruling of our Sages, the prohibition of bathing applies only to Tisha B’Av itself, however, the Rishonim were customary to … Read more

Two Paths In regards to the demand for equal sharing of the national burden, there are two paths currently facing Israeli society. The correct path is to address the Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) leaders earnestly, and find a true way to integrate them properly and gradually into all parts of Israeli society, including sharing the security burden. … Read more

Why the Switch in Your Ulpana Response? Rabbi, I really enjoy reading your articles and learning from your books, which are exceptionally written. However, since I read your column two weeks ago concerning the Ulpana houses in Bet El, something has bothered me. How are we to understand your change of opinion (and, of course, … Read more

Before Vacation Begins Each year, summer vacation arrives accompanied by concerns and stress. Aside from it being way too long and deserving to be shortened, parents ought to prepare beforehand, so the vacation passes smoothly, and does not turn into a time of chaos and spiritual decline. To this end, parents should speak with their … Read more

‘Dina d’Malchuta Dina‘ (“The Law of the Land is the Law”) ‘Dina d’malchuta dina’ is the fundamental rule in civil law and relationships between individuals and government. The meaning of this law is that one is obligated to maintain and uphold the laws of the ‘malchut‘ (kingdom), whether laws involving income taxes and customs, or … Read more

Despite Rabbi Kook’s support for all those engaged in settling of the Land of Israel and the Ingathering of the Exiles, his assessment was that without a connection to the foundation of holiness – ’emunah’ (faith), observance of the Torah and mitzvoth, and the vision of redemption for Israel and the world – the secular … Read more

In the wake of articles I wrote concerning the mitzvah of giving ‘ma’aser’ (tithe) of one’s income, a pointed question arose: How can it be that although, economically speaking, everyone agrees that today’s standard of living is on a much higher level than previous generations, nevertheless, many people earning a normal salary claim in all … Read more

Religious Studies and Army Service Question: Following the cancellation of the Tal Law [which exempted yeshiva students from army service] and the renewal of public debate over the status of yeshiva students with regards to army service, I would like to know what Jewish law says about this issue. Is the Haredi claim that anyone … Read more