A. During the period between Passover and Shavuot (or until Lag B’Omer) traditional Jews refrain from live music and weddings etc in commemoration of the 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva who died during this time, about 2,000 years ago. True, … Read the rest
...A. He wrote a basic, yet brilliant, clear and explanatory commentary on all of the 24 books of the Jewish Bible, as well as almost the entire Talmud. (This by the way before word-processors or even the ball-point pen). His … Read the rest
...A. They kept it in their hearts. Each synagogue became a mini-temple, each home a sanctuary, and every table an altar. And we’re still around to tell the story, and yearn for its rebuilding.… Read the rest
...A. Maybe it is like modern, state-sponsored newspapers in Arab states who wrote that the Mossad (Israeli CIA) arranged the attacks on 9/11. Polls conducted in those countries show that many subscribe to those views. No other early nation recorded … Read the rest
...A. On back, inside The Great Seal, the 13 stars are arranged in the shape of the Star of David. I once heard that this may have been a tribute to Haym Solomon who helped finance the Revolutionary War. I … Read the rest
...A. King of Babylon (today’s Iraq), who conquered Israel and destroyed the First Temple. He is mentioned in the Tanach (Bible). Yeh, I hear its also the name of a ship in the Matrix films.… Read the rest
...A. Judah. That’s just one tribe you ask? First of all Judah was the dominant tribe of the Southern Kingdom which is where most Jews today descend from. We are also named Jew, based on a phrase from the Purim … Read the rest
...A. Actually it is. The Jews rested / camped in 42 places on their way from the Exodus to the Land of Israel. Also, one of our prayers, “Ana B’Koach” said on Friday Night, has mystical background, and is comprised … Read the rest
...A. Judah HaLevi, famous Jewish Poet, circa 13th century. He lived in Spain, but his heart was in Jerusalem.… Read the rest
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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