The Yom Tov of Sukkot is unique in many ways, none more than the glaring difference in the sacrificial rite as found in the Torah. The offerings of each and every special day, Rosh Chodesh, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Pesach and Shavuot, share a common obligation: one ram and seven 1-year-old lambs. Sukkot is the exception to

As part of the Sukkot hoshanot, we recite the request Ani Ve-HoHoshiah Na. This phrase originates in a statement by R. Judah at Mishnah Sukkah 4:5. But what is the meaning of the word ve-ho (vav, heh, vav) and the entire cryptic phrase?

Rashi (Sukkah 45a) suggests that

I often delight in hugging my children. These are special moments where we bond in an embrace of security and comfort.

Our daughter Keren sometimes runs into my arms when she is being “attacked” by her siblings. This refuge of love and support is a natural thing. Moreover, this requirement

Once again, Fire Chief Anthony Verley and Fireman Leonard Hanauer have alerted us to the potential fire hazards of the upcoming Sukkot holiday.

Candles

Burning candles should be placed in holders with glass

With many schools closed for all of Sukkot, parents may wonder what to do with their children all week. Fortunately, there are plenty of great local activities from which to choose.

Van Saun County Park (Closed on Friday, October

In trying to figure out why we refer to this time of year as the “High Holiday Season,” I have come up with some theories. The word “high” implies happy, light, carefree…a wonderful time to be a Jew. Here we have the beginning of the new year, where we try to make peace with all of the things that have happened over the

We made it to Simchat Torah! I especially am excited, because for the first time ever I learned the entire Torah—Chumash andRashi. (And Stone!) It helps that the Stone has a bookmark.

And, yes, we’re all supposed to learn the parsha every week, but not all of us make it.

Perhaps you’re frequently told—by colleagues at work, family members, or friends—that they don’t know what they’d do without you. Of course, it makes you feel important. But perhaps you’re being given a bit of a back-handed compliment. Any good manager can tell you that the secret to a smooth running and successful

Dear Tanya,

I have the world’s pickiest eaters! They seriously do not like any “real food.” If it was up to them, they would be eating junk food all day. My mother tells me that we were the same way as kids and outgrew it eventually and turned out just fine, but I’m

Part I

The new Common Core State Standards do not require students to learn cursive script. As a result, states and districts are debating whether or not to continue to teach this skill.

Some educators think that cursive should be

From a consumer’s perspective, it might appear that the only distinction among the many institutions that offer retirement planning services is their marketing slogans. But the carefully crafted phrases and slick brochures may obscure significant differences in retirement philosophies and processes. And the adherents of a

Most of us have something on the floor in front of the door to our home. Generally, they are there to ensure that when people enter through the front door they wipe their feet prior. These “welcome mats,” which have been their generic name, have patterns and designs and in the past usually just said “welcome.” We have begun