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Q. Why is “Bnei Heichalah” the only one of three Arizal Shabbos songs to make it to most Bentschers?

A. Interesting question actually. Here’s some background for those who might not be familiar: The famous Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria, best known as the “Arizal” composed three Kabbalistic songs for each of the Shabbos meals. “Azameir B’Shvachin” is for Friday … Read the rest

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Q. Do we wear Tefillin at all on Passover or Sukkot?

A. The answer depends on your communal custom.

Everyone agrees that we don’t wear Tefillin on the holiday days of the festival, which are the two days at the beginning and two days at the end (or one day at … Read the rest

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Q. How is the vanity room classified Halachicly?

A. The vanity rooms (with the sink, counter and mirror) leading to the bathrooms at Shabbos House does not have a Mezuzah, as bathrooms do not have a Mezuzah. But its not quite a bathroom either, which is why we … Read the rest

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Q. Does G-d get Angry? Isn’t anger very unhealthy?

A. You showed me this in the prayerbook “G-d do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chastise me in Your rage.” That verse is from Psalms 6:1.

Yes, you are right that anger is a very unhealthy emotional response, … Read the rest

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Q. Why repeat Mourners Kaddish so often? Isn’t it hard on the mourners?

A. Not everyone realizes this, but Kaddish is not a memorial prayer. In fact, it doesn’t mentioned the departed at all. Instead, Kaddish is a bold declaration of faith, a glorification of G-d and G-dliness, and a prayer for redemption … Read the rest

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Q. I’m curious about why people bend their knees before bowing during the Amidah prayer? 

A. Check out the translation of the first paragraph of the “Aleinu” prayer: “we bend our knees and bow…” The concept may come from Temple times when Jews actually kneeled down and prostrated themselves (as it is done even today … Read the rest

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Q. Is there a point of praying in a synagogue even without a Minyan?

A. Yes. Personal prayer is good anywhere, but being in place of heightened spiritual sensitivity is an added dimension.… Read the rest

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Q. You said, “Let’s Bench!” and then we did grace after meals. What does “bench” mean?

 A. Oh, bentsch is Yiddish for bless, hence Bentscher is Yiddish for the booklet of blessings we use after the meal.… Read the rest

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Q. Why the shuffling of feet before that important part of prayer?

A. You must be referring to the 3 steps forward and 3 steps backward before and after the standing Amidah prayer. The Code of Jewish Law explains this ritual to be “entering and leaving the presence of the King (G-d).” … Read the rest

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Q. The Ashrei Prayer is alphabetical, why is it missing the letter Nun?

A. The Talmud (Brachos 4b) asks the same question and explains that Nun stands for Nofel (fallen) which is something David (author of Ashrey) wanted to avoid. But you asked further – aren’t there other Hebrew letters that stand for … Read the rest

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