Ascent to Jerusalem for the Three Festivals- When the Temple stood, all males had to appear before the Lord for the three festivals (Exodus 23:14-17, 34:23-24, Deuteronomy 16:16). At what age did they have to come – at 13? 30? Also, did they have to come from… More »
Cooking and Using Fire on Yom Tov- I recently read that you are allowed to use fire on Yom Tov, unlike Shabbat. Can you explain if this is the case and what it means? More »
Israeli in Diaspora, Second Day Yom Tov- I live in Israel but will be in America for Shavuot this year. Would I be able to use my computer on the second day of Yom Tov – which for me is a regular day? It will be in… More »
Shiva Shortened by Yom Tov- My father passed away two days before Rosh Hashana, and we only sat in mourning for two days rather than the customary seven. I never did get the straight story why is that? Apparently it has something to do with… More »
Three Pilgrimage Festivals- The Bible speaks about the entire Jewish nation going to Jerusalem for the three pilgrimage festivals. Is that still practiced today? More »
Two Days of Yom Tov- I live in England and want to know: Why do we celebrate one day of Yom Kippur, but two days of the other holidays? What's the difference? More »
Yizkor- My mother recently passed away. Every year when I would go to synagogue on Yom Kippur, and then would get to the Yizkor service, I would leave the sanctuary with the other people whose parents were still alive. This year… More »
Yizkor at Home- Our local synagogue is closed because of the coronavirus. How can I say yizkor this year in memory of my father? More »