I was just surfing the net the other night, and found an article by someone who was decrying the tradition of visiting the gravesites of Tzaddikim (righteous people) as “voodoo Judaism.” There are many misconceptions about this practice that can lead people to think that it involves something that is (G-d forbid) not Jewish or kosher. The custom of visiting gravesites of righteous people is well-established, and does not involve “worshipping” those who have passed away. According to the Midrash and the Torah sage, Rashi, when Joshua and Caleb entered the Land of Israel, they went to Hevron to pray … Continue reading →

The word “Tzaddik” is mentioned quite frequently in Jewish liturgy and scripture, and yet it is also a term used lovingly for children who do good deeds. There is a joke in my neighborhood that you can go the local store in the afternoon before Shabbos and see many tzaddikim — the little children who take time out from their games to run to the store and get their mother something while she is preparing for Shabbat! (i.e. because so many of our requests to our children at this time begin with “Joseph, be a tzaddik and get Ima some … Continue reading →

Last Tuesday, I went to Hevron to visit the Cave of Machpelah, where the Patriarchs and Matriarchs (with the exception of Rachel) are buried. Before I left for the Land of Israel, a friend of mine said “Don’t go to Hevron,” fearing the news reports and occasional attacks that happen there. I was glad that I didn’t take her advice. This was the second time I have been to Hevron, and I always feel spiritually refreshed there. Hevron is one of the four holy cities in the land of Israel (although every place here is considered holy, the four main … Continue reading →

In addition to having three meals on Shabbat, there is also a tradition to eating an another meal, called Melave Malka, after Shabbat is over. The idea behind this tradition is that one should leave the Shabbat experience not in the same way as running off to an appointment, but that one should leave Shabbat slowly and even reluctantly, the way one says goodbye to family or friends. On Friday, we welcome the Shabbat “Queen” by lighting candles and making Kiddush. On Saturday night, after three stars are visible in the sky, or a certain time has passed (these times … Continue reading →

Every synagogue has its comedian. The comedian in our shul in Brooklyn was a young lawyer who would sit silently most of the time, but suddenly become animated when he had a zinger. He wore his black yarmulke sideways on his head sometimes, pretending to fall asleep, and then, when we thought he was “out of action” he would pounce in with yet another joke that would usually (intentionally) elicit groans from the audience. Most of his jokes were unique, but sometimes, his humor depended on repetition. On Shavuos night, when it is a tradition to stay up late at … Continue reading →

It is said that a great Rabbi used to prepare for Shabbat by going shopping at the beginning of the week. He would go to the marketplace and purchase the best fruit, for example. The next day, he found fruit that was even better, and he would eat what he had previously purchased, and save the better fruit for Shabbat. The next day, he would find fruit that was even better than the fruit he had set aside, and on that day, he would eat that fruit, and put aside the better fruit. You get the idea. This is the … Continue reading →

Many of you might have seen a Kabbala diagram, and may have wondered what these brilliantly colored circles and zig-zags are about. Even if you have never seen a Kabbala diagram before, it is a good introduction to understanding the Divine attributes which make up all of our personality traits, good and not so good. Any personality, according to Kabbala, is comprised of a combination of 7 traits. All of our thoughts, actions and feelings involve a mixture of these different attributes. An ideal act is a balance of these traits, whereas a mistake can be the result of an … Continue reading →

We hear a lot about Kabbala these days. From Madonna’s Biblical name change to Esther and her red string bracelet to Chassidic reggae superstar, Mattisyahu’s lyrics about finding the mystical in the mundane, Kabbala is becoming an unexpectedly popular concept. But what exactly is Kabbala? And isn’t it intended only for a select few? The word “Kabbala” was long associated with wizened Jewish sages meeting in secret enclaves. It was said that only married men over the age of 40 could learn Kabbala. However, in the 18th century, the founder of the Chassidic movement, the Baal Shem Tov (“Master of … Continue reading →

Yesterday’s blog gave an overview of the Omer Period, when Jews brought daily grain offerings to the HolyTemple between the holidays of Passover and Shavuos. Although the Omer Period can be considered a time of gladness, there is also an aspect of mourning at this time, and this is the reason why many Jews do not perform weddings, take haircuts or buy new clothes during this period. The tradition of mourning comes from the fact that, during this time, 24,000 of Rabbi Akiva’s disciples died in a plague. To fully appreciate the extent of this tragedy, it is worth discussing … Continue reading →

The weeks between the second night of Passover and the holiday of Shavuot is the time during which we count the Omer, which were the sacrifices of grain brought daily for 49 days to the Holy Temple. Every night after the evening prayer, Maariv, many Jews say a blessing and count the Omer for that day; it is like re-enacting the bringing of the sacrifice to the Temple. What is the significance of the Counting of the Omer? Why do we recreate the experience of bringing the Omer sacrifice when there were other sacrifices brought to the Temple? The Torah … Continue reading →