Rabbi Ari Lobel
43 answers
Rabbi Ari Lobel is the Former Director of Outreach at Torah.org. He has served as an editor for Artscroll Schottenstein Talmud and currently, he is the Editorial Director for the Taryag Legacy foundation, overseeing the publication of the Encyclopedia of the 613 Mitzvoth.
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Sabbath Rituals
Where did the Friday night custom of saying blessings over candles, wine, and challah come from? Why did these three specific blessings become a ritual? Let’s begin with the most primary source – the fourth of the ten commandments: “Remember…
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Marriage Ceremony
Can you please give me some background information, and an overview, of the Jewish marriage ceremony? According to Jewish Tradition, before the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, once a man and woman decided to get married, moved into…
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“If I Am Not For Myself…”
The Rabbi quoted the following in his sermon: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” Who said this and what do you…
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Evening Shema
There’s something that’s been bothering me for a while: In the evening we say the Shema prayer, and then we say it again when going to bed. Why say it twice at night? Shouldn’t once be enough! Your confusion about…
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Spiritual Basis of Caring for the Elderly
I need a source for the requirement to help the elderly. Can you please help me? There are 2 mitzvos in the Torah that you could use as a source for helping the elderly. Firstly, there is a general mitzvah…
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Debating With G-d
Why does Abraham debate with G-D over the destruction of Sodom & Gomorrah but offers no plea when commanded to offer his son Isaac? I think that the answer lies in the way you phrased your question – “but offers…
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Breaking the Glass at the Wedding
What is the meaning behind breaking the glass at a wedding ceremony? The custom of breaking a glass at a wedding stems from an incident recorded in the Talmud (Tractate Brachot 31a). One of the Sages was bothered by the…
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Inner vs. Outer Focus
I have seen the following referenced: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” Who said this and what does it mean? This…
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Rosh Hashana, the Day of Blowing
Why is Rosh Hashana considered the new year? The Torah only says that Rosh Hashana is a day to blow the horn. What is the background of the Rosh Hashana customs. You’re correct that the Torah itself does not call…