Tisha B’Av , the Ninth day in the Month of Av is the saddest day in the Jewish year. Among the tragedies that brand the day as a time to mourn are the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. Loss of the Temple symbolizes loss of Jewish autonomy and sovereignty. Tisha B’Av is observed by a day long fast, not wearing leather shoes, washing/bathing, anointing and marital relations as well as other forms of affliction consistent mourning the loss of a family member.(see…

“When the month of Av arrives one diminishes one’s joy” The Talmud (Ta’anit 29a) explains the nature of a month is evident at its beginning. The month of Adar when Purim is celebrated is seen as a season of enhanced joy. Consequently the month of AV which is characterized by the mourning observed in memory of Temples’ destruction begins with the first of Av.

The First of Av historically is noteworthy as the anniversary of Aaron’s the High Priest A’H ZY’A passing. Unlike other Biblical…

The daughters of Zelophchad asked Moshe and the Elders “ Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no sons? Give to us therefore a possession among the brothers of our father.” Zelophchad’s daughters approached Moshe and the Elders in the aftermath of the national census taken as preparation for settling the Land of Israel (see generally BaMidbar 26 and 26:53).

Mahlah, Noah, and Hoglah, and Milcah, and Tirzah, Zelophchad’s five daughters…

MARK LANGFAN at AFSI's ZE'EV JABOTINSKY MEMORIAL

       WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 7:30 P.M., NYC-

          AFSI and the Nordau Circle are pleased to once again sponsor the Ze'ev Jabotinsky, Z"L, memorial event. It will be…

The Three Weeks, the period between 17 Tamuz when the walls of Jerusalem were breached and 9 Menachem Av when both Temples were destroyed. These twenty one days are observed as a time of national mourning.

The level of mourning intensifies from merely not engaging in joyous activities like celebrating a wedding or holding a concert. Once the Month of Menachem Av enters one diminishes one’s sense of joy which is expressed by not eating meat or drinking wine or not wearing freshly…

KOLLEL AYSHEL AVRAHAM HOLDS 6TH CHAG HASMICHA

BY: FERN SIDMAN

On Sunday morning, June 24th, over 150 people gathered at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Suffern, New York to attend the 6th Chag HaSmicha (rabbinical ordination) of the renowned Kollel Ayshel Avraham Rabbinical Seminary of Monsey, New York. Joining the hanhalah, graduates, alumni and guests, were a veritable litany of esteemed Rabbonim who were honored for their highly significant contributions to the…