A. Once in 7 years, Torah directs us to let the land lie barren in Israel. We don’t plant or harvest that year (which happens to be the Jewish Year 5761/2000, which was the year when this question was ...
A. It’s nice to, and in some circles expected, but not a must. Most understand that students have limited resources. It doesn’t have to be a lot, just a token of your thoughtfulness for this new ...
A. The other way around would be much better. The handwritten parchment scroll IS the Mezuzah, while the colorfully designed box is only an ornamental cover. I can get you a Mezuzah for about $30....
A. Generally speaking they’re grouped together, and Persian Jews share many characteristics and customs with Sefardic Jews. Historically though, Persian Jews pre-date the divide between Ashkenasic and ...
A. Sefardic / Middle Eastern Jews have a custom to pull the soft, luscious loaves apart by hand. Others have told me that their families have a similar tradition. Personally we use a knife, and there’s...