The way our calendar is structured, Rosh Hashana cannot begin on a Sunday, Wednesday or Friday. The Ashkenazic custom is for us to begin reciting the Selichos – penitential prayers – on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashana, provided that Rosh Hashana begins on a Thursday or Shabbos. If Rosh Hashana begins on a Monday …
Category: 5783
Aug 31
Drawings!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Devorim
The other day I visited an elderly woman who is confined to a bed. However, she is sharp minded and amazingly upbeat. She asked me if I had anything special to tell her. Pointing to the window, I said it was a magnificent sunny day. She said that does not really help her since it …
Aug 24
Rhythm!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Devorim
The Medrash quotes a verse from Proverbs, “For they are a wreath of grace,” and explains that it refers to Mitzvos that accompany a person wherever he goes. Reb Pinchos begins with a Mitzva that is included in this week’s Parsha. When you build a house, the Torah tells us to build a safety fence …
Aug 17
Graphic Image!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Devorim
The Torah instructs us to appoint honest and wise judges in each city, stating, “Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof – You shall surely pursue righteousness.” Based on this, the official stamp of the great sage Rabbi Akiva Eiger had a picture of a scale with the aforementioned verse underneath. The signet of the great kabbalist, Rabbi Avraham …
Aug 10
Remarkable Dividends!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Devorim
The Torah clearly and repeatedly prohibits any type of idol worship. In our Parsha, Moshe details the laws of a false prophet or dreamer who performs a sign or wonder, and based on it will say, “Let us follow other gods that you do not know, and we shall worship them.” The Torah instructs us …
Aug 03
Our Leader!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Devorim
The devotion of our leader Moshe to the Jewish people was unparalleled. Moshe loved life and he pleaded with G-d numerous times to keep him alive. Moshe did not pray to G-d because he craved life’s experiences. Rather, he desired life, for only when one is alive do they have the opportunity to serve G-d. …
Jul 26
Rebuild!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Devorim
When our forefather Yaacov was leaving the land of Israel to look for a wife, the Torah relates that he stopped at a ‘place’ where he prayed and then went to sleep. Our Sages teach us that he established the nightly Maariv prayer. That night he had a prophecy of a ladder which stemmed from …
Jul 13
Earn It!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Bamidbar
The second portion we read this week, Massai, details the names of the 42 stops the Jews made while traversing the desert towards the Land of Israel. A question is asked, why did the Jews have to go through such efforts to get to the Land? Our Sages tell us that the Land of Israel …
Jul 06
Responsibility!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Bamidbar
In this week’s Parsha, Moshe appoints his devoted student Yehoshua as his successor. Leadership comes with great and awesome responsibilities. Reb Aaron Cohen, the son-in-law of the saintly Chofetz Chaim, applied for the position of Rabbi in a city. When he was turned down, he shared his feeling of rejection with his father-in-law. The Chofetz …
Jun 29
Take Notice!
- By Dovid Saks in 5783, Bamidbar
The Torah relates that 3300 years ago, the non-Jewish prophet Bilaam was hired by Balak, the King of Moav, to curse the Jewish nation. On his way, Bilaam was continually warned by G-d not to go. Bilaam didn’t dismiss Balak’s request to curse the Jews, and Balak tried to manipulate G-d to allow Bilaam to …
Jewish Heritage Connection
Rabbi Dovid Saks, Director
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Scranton, PA 18510
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Shabbat Candle Lighting Time
Shabbat Times for Apr 19, 2024
Scranton, PA US
Parshas Metzora
Candle Lighting Time: 7:29 PM
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Scranton, PA US
Parshas Metzora
Candle Lighting Time: 7:29 PM
Developed by AdatoSystems.com.
Key features by Hebcal.com.