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Explore our RA bookstore, articles on Exploring Judaism, teshuvot of the Committee on Jewish Law & Standards (CJLS), our Tzedek Center, holiday guides, and more.
You Shall Strengthen Them: A Rabbinic Letter on the Poor
You Shall Strengthen Them: A Rabbinic Letter on the Poor, was derived from earlier published essays
Purim Song Sheet
This 1-page song sheet, prepared by Yossi Hoffman, contains the text, transliteration, and translation of popular songs for Purim.
Al Ha-nissim
This ready-to-use text, which includes commentary and kavanot, has been excerpted from Or Hadash: A
Lighting the Hanukkah Candles: Blessings & Songs
Text, translation, and transliteration of the blessings and popular songs to accompany the lighting
בדיקת חמץ: The Search for Hameitz
This one-page sheet includes text, instructions, and transliteration for the ritual of searching for hameitz and the destruction of hameitz.
Al Ha-nissim for Yom Ha-atzmaut
Siddur Sim Shalom for Shabbat, Festivals, and Weekdays incorporated a new Al Ha-nissim prayer, which was modeled on the versions recited at Hanukkah and on Purim into the Amidah and Birkat Ha-mazon.
Mishkan, Mo’eid, and Synagogue: A Place of Encounter and Presence
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei, Exodus 35:1-38:20/ 38:21-40:38
“Synagogue Life” by Rabbi Craig T. Scheff, (pp.61-80) in The Observant Life
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Shabbat: Sign, Symbol, and Sacrament; The Pause that Refreshes
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Ki Tissa, Exodus 30:11 - 34:35
“Shabbat” by Rabbis Michael Katz and Gershon Schwartz, (pp. 98-136) in The Observant Life
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T’rumah and Tz’dakah: How We Define Synagogue Dues
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat T’rumah, Exodus 25:1 - 27:19
“Charitable Giving” by Rabbi Elliot Dorff, (pp. 391-411) in The Observant Life
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Ox, Pit, Tooth, and Fire: The Halakhah of Proximity
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Mishpatim, Exodus 21:1 - 24:18
“Neighbors and Neighborly Relations” by Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin, (pp. 713-726) in The Observant Life
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Honoring One’s Parents: How Far Should We Go?
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Yitro, Exodus 18:1-20:23
“Between Parents and Children” by Rabbi Daniel Nevins (pp.673-692) in The Observant Life
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Nothing as Holy as a Tree: Trees, Tu BiSh’vat, and Halakhah
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat B’shallah, Exodus 14:1-18:8
“Tu Bish’vat” by Rabbi Alan Lucas / “The Environment” by Rabbi Lawrence Troster; Pages 193 & 875 in The Observant Life, respectively
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The Many Sides of Matzah: Understanding a Symbol
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Bo, Exodus 9:1 - 13:16
“Passover (Holy Days and Holidays)” by Rabbi Alan Lucas (pp. 202-220) in The Observant Life
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Retribution, Deterrence, or More? The Meaning of the Plagues
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Va-era, Exodus 6:1 - 9:34
“Crime and Punishment” by Rabbi Abigail N. Sosland, (pp. 458-460) in The Observant Life
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To Whom Must We Answer? Civil Disobedience and Jewish Law
By Mark Greenspan
Parashat Sh'mot, Exodus 1:15-20
"Civic Morality" by Rabbi Vernon Kurtz” (pp. 439) in The Observant Life
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Conference Call with Yossi Klein Halevi
[Listen to the Recording]Join your colleagues in this conference call in partnership with JTS:Topic: Toward a New Partnership? Diaspora Jews and IsraelPresenter: Yossi Klein Halevi, visiting professor of Israel Studies at JTS and a senior...