The Role of the Esrog in Childbirth
Rectifying the Sin of the Tree of Knowledge. Back in the 18th century, a fascinating story circulated among Jews that the Queen of Prussia, Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of King […]
The Schvartze Chasuneh – The Wedding in a Cemetery
Ten years ago a delightful, illustrated children’s book entitled “The Wedding that Saved a Town,” focused on an obscure Jewish custom in Eastern Europe , known as a “Shvartze Chasuneh” […]
Partaking of Twelve Challos and other Shabbos Customs
Many summers ago, when I was single and studying in Paris at the Sorbonne, I decided to spend Shabbos Mevarchim in Strasbourg in the south of France. I stayed at […]
The Corfu Blood Libel of 1891
And the Disappearance of the Ethrog from Corfu For several centuries Corfu was one of the chief suppliers of Ethrogim to Jews all over the world. The use of Corfu […]
Captain Barros Basto Ger Tzedek and Portuguese Dreyfus
Many readers are familiar with the notorious Dreyfus Affair, which took place in 1894 in France when a Jewish career soldier, a captain in the French army, was falsely accused […]
Queen Esterke
In the ancient Jewish quarter of the Kazimir district in Cracow, Poland, you’ll find a street called Ulica Estery. It’s named after Queen Esterke, as she was referred to in […]
Temerl Bergson
‘Mother’ of Polish Chassidus Polish King Graces Temerl’s Wedding In Shevat 5547/February 1787 a glorious wedding took place in a suburb of Warsaw that was attended by many prominent members […]
Parting Words to Meir Kahane
Dear Meir, Please excuse the fact that I do not address you as Rabbi, as you so deserved to be called, due to your Semicha from Mirrer Yeshiva, and the […]
Rabbi Yochanan Twersky ZT”L
On the first day of Chanukah, Rabbi Yochanan Twersky, the Tolner Rebbe of Jerusalem passed away at the age of 93. Thousands upon thousands participated in the funeral which began […]
Rabbi Refael Aharon Ben Shimon
Rabbi Refael Aharon Ben Shimon, a native of Rabat, Morocco, grew up in Yerushalayim and served as the Chief Rabbi of Cairo for three decades (1891-1921). An outstanding Talmid Chochom and Posek who led his flock with strict adherence […]