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Q. Is it OK to pray the evening prayer in Boxers? 

A. Well, here’s the official answer from the Code of Jewish Law, we’re supposed to dress-up for prayer – say like we would to greet a king or more likely the way we would dress for a formal job interview. … Read the rest

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Q. How late can I pray the evening service? Does 3am work? 

A. Technically, you can pray the evening service until slightly before dawn (which isn’t the same as sunrise), which can be anywhere from around 4am-7am depending on the time of year. But the Rabbis in the very first Mishna of … Read the rest

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Q. Rabbi, why don’t you say the word “Shel” in the Chanukah blessing as many of us do?

A. Mushky Galperin (now Bendet) helped me with the reason for the Chabad custom being different. “Shel” is Hebrew for “of”. When it comes to Shabbat candles, it is Shabbat that is the main celebration and the candles are a … Read the rest

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Q. After a synagogue honor – people shook my hand and said, “Yasher Koach” – what does it mean?

A. It’s Shul-ese for Congratulations, literally: All the more power to you. Or as in Star Wars, May the force be with you. Sephardic Jews have a different expression.… Read the rest

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Q. I noticed that some people raise a pinky toward the Torah when it is raised. Why the pinky?

A. The verse recited when the Torah is raised says, “THIS is the Torah..” and on a similar expression on another verse the Midrash comments, “THIS means – show it with your finger and say THIS is it!”. For those … Read the rest

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Q. Suppose everyone in the congregation was a Kohen. Who would do the Priestly Blessing?

A. If there are more than a Minyan, all aside for ten go up to do the blessing. If there’s a tight minyan of exactly ten Kohens, they ALL go up to do the priestly blessing which benefits not only … Read the rest

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Q. I’m costuming “Ragtime” and need an immigrants’ prayer shawl circa 1906. Fabric? Colors? Size? Fringe?

A. It would probably be a woolen Tallit yellowed with age and use, traditional black stripes down the sides, probably of middle size, not a shawl-type common today in liberal congregations, and not the very large full-size that the Chassidim … Read the rest

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Q. Why do we pray towards East, but to a Western Wall?

A. We in the diaspora pray toward East to the direction of Jerusalem. (The Jews of Babylonia and Syria prayed to the west, towards Jerusalem). The Western Wall is named such because it is the wall surrounded the western side … Read the rest

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 Q. I began wearing Tzitzit all the time, is it still OK to wear a Tallit in the synagogue at the same time?

A. Sure. I do that every time I pray, since I wear Tzitzit all the time, but a Tallit only during prayer. It’s recommended!… Read the rest

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Q. I noticed in the prayers we call G-d “Our Rock”. Why?

A. Chevy Trucks say “Like a Rock”, and Prudential Insurance advertises using a massive boulder. It symbolizes permanence in a changing world. A indestructible core upon which to depend, and seek strength in. TANYA (the classic Chabad Chassidic work of … Read the rest

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