Category: Yom Tov Messages

Kol Nidrei!

The onset of Yom Kippur night is often referred to as Kol Nidrei night. Why was Kol Nidrei specifically chosen to herald in Yom Kippur? A review of what is stated in Kol Nidrei reveals that it is an official nullification of all types of vows and oaths that one may have declared during the …

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L’Shana Tova!

The Torah doesn’t command us directly to sound the Shofar on Rosh Hashana, rather it states, “A day of Teruah blasts it shall be for you.” So how are we supposed to know how to proceed? Through the laws of Rosh Hashana one can gain an appreciation for the integration of our Written law with …

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Split!

On the seventh day after the exodus from Egypt, the Egyptian army pursued the Jews until they reached the Red Sea. G-d performed a great miracle and split the sea sparing them and drowning the Egyptians. The Seventh day of Pesach commemorates this miracle. A few years ago, Rabbi Yaacov Schnaidman, dean of the Milton …

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Compelling!

Although it has been over twenty years since I last participated at a Seder which was majestically led by my father, I must say, the Seder at our home is very much a representation of my father’s Seder. This is the first that year that I can’t call my father erev Pesach to ask him …

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From the Heart!

During the year that I studied in Israel, I took advantage of the opportunity to visit the great and holy sage Rabbi Yaacov Yisroel Kanievski o.b.m. When I walked into his room in his humble apartment in Bnei Brak, I was overcome with trepidation at the sight of this holy man. The rabbi was a …

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Small Nails!

Last year we bought a large decorative mirror which came with the wires for it to be hung already attached in the back. All we had to do was hang the mirror to a hook on the wall. I went to the hardware department of one of the big outfits and began looking for hooks. …

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It’s Day!

During the Seder, when we recite the ten plagues G–d brought upon the Egyptians, we customarily pour off some wine from our cup with one of our fingers. This gesture shows that we are not completely happy because pain was inflicted upon the Egyptians. We recite the ten plagues to focus on G-d’s power and …

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Alone & Together!

Our Kabalistic Masters teach us that one of the sublime reasons for leaving our plush homes and dwelling in an outdoor hut with a simple roof covering during Succot is so that it be considered as if we are exiling ourselves. In case our judgment on Yom Kippur required us to go through some type …

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Ripple Effects!

One can never know how far reaching a simple deed can go. But every once in a while an unexpected ‘feedback’ makes you realize the power every action holds. An example: For the past many years we sponsor a breakfast in the Shul Succah on the first day of Chol Hamoed Succos, as a merit …

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We Got It!

The Medrash relates the following tale. A man was taking a stroll in a beautiful meadow and noticed two birds fighting. The larger bird got enraged and struck and killed the other bird. Seeing the bird not moving and in a lifeless state, the large bird flew a short distance and plucked a blade of …

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