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  A quick thought that I once had. Rav Hirsch in his commentary to the 24th Psalm, explains the repetition and nuance of the last few verses: Seu She’arim Rasheichem – Let the gates lift their heads Vehinasu  Pischei olam– Let the portals of the world be raised up Veyavo Melech Hakovod– and the Glorious […]

In an interview with Rabbi Dr. Eric Zimmer of Jerusalem, for an upcoming video on the channel, we asked him about interesting minhagim that he remembers from his years serving as the Rav of a small congregation of German Jews from the countryside of Hessen and other outlying communities. The Shul, Ahavath Torah eventually merged into what is today, Shaarei Hatikvah. He recorded that the […]

Two important minhagim to quickly mention. Before the start of Shemoneh Esrei (the silent Amidah prayer) an appointed member of the synagogue committee will announce either “Ya’aleh Veyavo” if it is the frist day of Rosh Chodesh (in a two day situation) and “Rosh Chodesh” on the second day, or if there is only one […]

In the much celebrated painting of Moritz Oppenheim of the Jewish wedding a jester appears on the steps of the synagogue. The chuppah is performed in the courtyard of the synagogue. Affixed to a wall of that courtyard is a tablet with a Magen David (six-cornered star) and some Hebrew writing. I was once told […]

  There is seemingly no connection between our late, revered Rav and the festivities of Lag Ba’omer. Specifically, because we do not mix into overtly kabalistic rituals, and the Chatham Sofer was very wary of the pilgrimage to Meiron in honor of the yahrzeit of Rabi Simeon b. Yochai.   Yet there is a sublime connection and a message here.  […]

I am sorry for this late post. The leinin of the dibros by Benno Weis is avalable on FSU Archives. Here is the first dibrah as read by someone else. I don’t know who, but we received this recording from Mr. Joseph Katzenstien aH many years ago. Mr. Katzenstien gave us many old recordings when […]