The Sabbath
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Keeping Business Open on the Sabbath
I have a non-Jewish business partner. For the last twenty-odd years he has accepted us not having the business open on the Sabbath or Jewish Holidays. But now, all of a sudden, he wants to be open 24 / 7. …
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The Third Sabbath Meal
What should you eat for Seudah Shlishis (i.e. do you need to have to eat bread)? How long before the Sabbath ends should you eat? Often, I finish the Sabbath lunch a bit late in the day, and the last…
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Women and Havdalah
Are women allowed to make havdalah if a man will be home in 5 minutes? When is a woman allowed to make havdalah for herself and other women? Answer: There is a difference of opinion regarding a woman’s obligation to…
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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…
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Fragrances After the Sabbath
What is so special about besamim [spices] that they are used for havdalah? The Shulchan Aruch writes that it was ordained to recite a blessing on spices after the Sabbath as part of havdalah. We will explore 3 reasons below:…
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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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The Linguistic Root of Holiness
In your post entitled Marriage Ceremony, I was rather surprised by the following line: “The Torah requires that when a man wishes to marry, he must first sanctify the woman to himself in front of two witnesses: the ceremony called…
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Swimming on Shabbat
Can you swim on the Sabbath? There is a rabbinical prohibition against swimming on the Sabbath [see Shulchan Aruch, section Orach Chaim 339:1].
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Silence After Washing Hands for Bread
Can you explain the origin of the custom not to speak between washing your hands and saying the blessing over the bread on the Sabbath? Basically, our Sages ruled that people should not do anything at all distracting after washing…