A. Wish you could hook up with a nearby Seder, see Chabad.org – there are Chabad Seders all over the world even in some remote locations. Let us know if you need our help with that. But if there”s nothing … Read the rest
...A. The Egyptian Bondage didn’t happen all at once. The Jews were not enslaved overnight. It was a gradual process that started off with lots of carrot and ended up with all stick. Romaine Lettuce (or endive) represents that – … Read the rest
...A. Talmud Rosh Hashanah 2b learns it from a juxtaposition of Shlomo’s royal reckoning and the reckoning from the Exodus. Rabbeynu Nissim explains this is because there would never be a Jewish King if we hadn’t left Egypt. In the … Read the rest
...A. It isn’t clear. Rashi seems to say that it did not. Tosefos commentary on Talmud Beitzah 2b quotes conflicting Medrash on this question.… Read the rest
...A. The Talmud asks the same question. He’s a complex character and different Rabbis of the Talmud read him differently.… Read the rest
...A. Guilty as charged, I trust the Talmud. Besides, omission alone is not proof enough against, especially considering the argument and ideological struggle of which miracle warrants more emphasis, the oil (spiritual) or the war (physical). Both of which are … Read the rest
...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
...A. The Menorah is all about illuminating the darkness. On Friday, though, we have to light the Menorah earlier than usual, before Shabbos Candle-Lighting time. So it’s best to light candles (or oil) with enough fuel to remain lit until … Read the rest
...A. Here’s the background. Jews in Israel dance with the Torah on the 8th night and day of the holiday. Jews in the Diaspora dance with the Torah on the 9th night and day of the holiday. The Ari’zal of … Read the rest
...A. What a question! The Talmud (Pesachim) has a 9-way debate on it. All agree that we make a Havdalah (farewell to Shabbat) and Kiddush (welcoming YomTov) combination, but there are 9 varying opinions on the order of the blessings … Read the rest
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