The Calendar and Holidays (incl. Sabbath)
- Chanukah
- Other Holidays and Fasts
- Passover
- Purim
- Rosh HaShanah
- Shavuos
- Sukkos
- The Jewish Calendar
- The Sabbath
- Yom Kippur
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The Calendar and the 8 Days of Passover
Why are there 8 days to Passover? Answer: I assume that the question ‘why are there 8 days to Passover’ is asked because the Torah only mentions 7 days. Indeed, in Israel today they keep only 7 days of Passover.…
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Recipe for Matzah
What is the procedure for making unleavened bread? Answer: Thank you for your question. The procedure for making unleavened bread is discussed in great detail in the Kitzur Shulchan Oruch/ Concise Code Of Jewish Law (Chapters 108, 109, and 110).…
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Non-Food Leaven
What is your opinion on removing non food leaven from our homes during Pesach? I have found numerous chemicals which contain leavening agents, under other names. Answer: When we are commanded in the Hebrew Scriptures to remove all “leaven” from…
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Learning How to Learn from the Haggadah
What are some things we can learn from the Passover Haggadah? Answer: The structure of the Haggadah teaches us a very important lesson about the best way to learn and remember things. We begin with questions, and then give answers;…
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Moses and the Haggadah
I have been informed that the name of Moses has been omitted intentionally in the original Haggadah. Is this true? If so, what was the author’s rationale? Answer: Thank you very much for your recent inquiry about the omission of…
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One or Two Passover Seders?
In the Land of Israel, a Seder is only held on the first night of Passover; and outside of the land of Israel, there are two seders — on both the first and second night. Is an Israeli with dual…
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Helping the Poor Enjoy Passover
What is “ma’os chittim” and why do we make this contribution before Passover? Answer: Since God does not want you to enjoy the Passover without helping the poor enjoy it as well, the Rabbis created a custom that Jews should…
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Dipping Twice on Passover Night
Why do we dip twice during the passover seder? Answer: I think that what is bothering you is that we ask this question every year at the Seder as one of the “Four Questions,” but the Haggadah does not seem…
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The Sabbath as a Bride
Why is the Sabbath referred to as a “bride”? Answer: Great question! (And a very deep one.) On Friday nights in the synagogue, we sing from the siddur, “Lecha dodi likras kallah…” “Come my Beloved to greet the bride…” Our…