1. Home
  2. /
  3. Ask Rabbi Mendel
  4. /
  5. Shabbos House
  6. /
  7. Page 2
no comments

Q. I’m a former UA professor, now teaching at W. – where do you get “Mini-Latkes”?

A. Oh, we got them at our local supermarket – Price Chopper (in their Kosher, holiday freezer section). They are Kineret Brand and are not really home-made style Latkes but kind of mini-tater-tots. Reheated on a griddle, the students really … Read the rest

...
no comments

Q. How did you get the domain name “Shabbos House”?

A. Easier than you think. Most Chabad Houses on College Campuses are not called Shabbos House, this is a unique name that stuck here at Albany. When we started this website back in 1999 it was out there for the … Read the rest

...
no comments

Q. Why isn’t there a daily Minyan at UAlbany?

A. Not yet. It depends on student interest, which seems to be growing a bit. There have been times when students put together a Minyan once or twice a week in the Hillel Office in Campus Center, but it all … Read the rest

...
no comments

Q. Why would different calendars list different times for the end of Yom Kippur?

A. (1) Check to be sure they’re from the same region. Depending on the longitude and latitude – timing differs. (2) There are several opinions in Jewish Law in terms of defining “dark” and “nightfall”. While the times we use … Read the rest

...
no comments

Q. Is it Shabbos, Shabbat, or Sabbath?

A. All of the above. Shabbos is the Ashkenasic pronunciation, Shabbat is Sefardic and Modern Hebrew and Sabbath is English possibly based on Latin or Greek. Shabbos House is called this way, even though it really is a Chabad House, … Read the rest

...
no comments

Q. Why do you switch plates between Fish and Meat?

A. This is included in the Kashrus laws of the Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law – the tallest set on my bookshelf), yet it is not a Kosher Law. The Rabbis deemed it a safety issue, that it was … Read the rest

...
no comments

Q. What do I need – to do or bring – to enter a Sukkah?

A. Warm clothing (unless you’re in Florida or we have Indian Summer) and a festive Holiday Spirit. The nice thing about a Sukkah is that it isn’t as formal as a fancy synagogue, and you’re welcome in – just the … Read the rest

...
no comments

Q. I noticed you advertised a study group on “the Mystical Significance of Meatballs and Spaghetti” – but Rabbi, it’s an Italian Food!


A. This wasn’t intended to be a serious interpretation of this food favorite, rather a light and humorous springboard into an important kabbalistical concept. Kabbalah and Chassidic Thought explore in depth: two distinct G-dly Lights or Revelations, used in the … Read the rest

...
no comments

Q. How did Jewish Cemeteries end up alongside UAlbany and in front of Crossgates Mall?

A. I’m in my 20’s yet remember clearly (I grew up in Albany) when Crossgates was built. The Uptown University Campus is only up since the very late ’60’s. Some time before that this area was undeveloped country, with lots … Read the rest

...
no comments

Q. Rabbi, can you endorse my candidancy? 

A. I endorse you, and your commendable civic involvement, but can’t endorse your running for a specific office. I don’t get involved in these things, don’t take it personal.… Read the rest

...