Drinking Wine on [a day like] Yom Kippur

One of the most peculiar laws of Purim is the obligation to drink wine, and even become intoxicated.  As the Talmud states, “A person is obligated to become inebriated on Purim, until he does not know the difference between ‘Blessed is Mordechai and cursed is Haman.’  Excessive drinking is frowned upon by Jewish law, yet here it appears that the law specifically advocates drinking.  Clearly, a person may not become ...

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Tranquility and Tefillah

I was recently in Amsterdam where I was scholar in residence for a community Shabbaton. It was a wonderful experience, but hectic and exhausting as well. I arrived at Schiphol Airport at 6.15am in order to allow time to daven shacharis (pray the morning service) at the airport.  Thank G-d I was able to find a quiet space in an airport lounge, and although I am usually a little tense ...

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The Land Of Israel

The State of Israel finds itself under attack militarily and ideologically.  Iran and the terrorists it sponsors, Syria, the PA, Fatah and Isis all seek to destroy Israel utterly.  We are also attacked by others ideologically.  The United Nations, the European Union and various governments, BDS groups and others seek to deny our connection to the land of Israel and seek to disenfranchise the Jewish people. It is therefore, worthwhile ...

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