Chanukah: For All and For Us Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein The private and public symbiosis of the Chanukah candles is vital in halakha: why are they lit in the home, but facing the outside? Both the Talmud and Rambam’s code illustrate to us the story that lead up to the catalyst of this mitzvah; the lightning …
The Secret to Forgiveness Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein Director of Training and Placement, Beren-Amiel and Straus-Amiel Emissary Programs During the High-Holiday period, when Slichot[1] are recited rather, THE REFRAIN that we repeat endlessly are the famous “Thirteen Attributes of Mercy” starting with the know words of “Hashem Hashem, Kel, Rachum, Vechanun”/” G-d, G-d, benevolent G-d, …
Chanukah: Not Just for Elitists Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein Director of Training and Placement, Beren-Amiel and Straus-Amiel About a year ago, a Straus-Amiel emissary serving a community abroad, was interested in sending his daughter to an Orthodox high school in Israel, due to the lack of any Jewish school in his community. When searching various options …
Rosh Chodesh Davening: Something’s Missing Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein At the beginning of each Jewish month [with the exception of Rosh Hashanah, which is a full-fledged holiday beginning of the Jewish year, and also being the beginning of the Jewish month of “Tishrei[1]“,] we add the paragraph of “Yaale VeYavo” to our Amida on that day …
Slichot: Forgive and Be Forgiven Let it slide and G-d will too Rabbi Yehoshua Grunstein Director of Training and Placement, Beren-Amiel and Straus-Amiel Emissary Programs Introduction It’s a widespread custom[1] to say “Slichot”/Prayers besieging G-d for forgiveness, beginning either from Rosh Chodesh Elul/beginning the month prior to Rosh Hashana[2]/ the Saturday night before Rosh Hashana, or …