I’ve Always Wondered
The Rabbi’s Assistant answers questions that someone might be too shy to ask.
Please contact us if you have questions about Congregation Beth Shalom, synagogue life, Jewish history or practices, why we do what we do at the times when we do, etc. We can learn together.
In other words, if you are saying to yourself, “I’ve always wondered…” then you should be asking the Rabbi’s Assistant. I don’t let on as to who is asking!
When Is Horseradish Not a Bitter Herb? Originally Published April 9-10, 2021.
“But Daddy, that’s a leaf! Rabbi says we dunk leafs into salt water, and for Maror we cry about horseradish!” “Leave it alone, Shelly, this
Why Do We Sing “Ozzi Vezimrat Yah”? Kamatz Katan, Part II. Originally Published March 26-27, 2021.
A couple weeks ago we looked at the kamatz katan. And the question comes back why would we use that vowel instead of the standard
Why do we sing “OH-zee vezimrat ya”? What is that vowel, anyway? Originally Published March 12-13, 2021.
This is a revisiting of a previous column, inasmuch as someone asked the question again a few weeks ago. The issue at hand is a
What Is “Selah”? Originally Published March 5-6, 2021.
Selah (סֶלָה, or סֶּלָה if it falls after a naked vowel) is a word of much mystery. We say the word “selah” often enough during
What Blessing Do We Say Over Hamantaschen? Originally Published February 26-27, 2021.
If our hamantaschen has fruit in it, what blessing do we say? Do we gravitate only to the poppy seed pastries to avoid conflict? There
What Is Shabbat Zakhor? Originally Published February 19-20, 2021.
This week is Shabbat Zakhor (שַׁבָּת זָכוֹר). Our bar mitzvah will be leyning a special maftir aliyah from Parashat Ki Tetse (Deuteronomy 25:17-19), and chanting
When Is Horseradish Not a Bitter Herb? Originally Published April 9-10, 2021.
“But Daddy, that’s a leaf! Rabbi says we dunk leafs into salt water, and for Maror we cry about horseradish!” “Leave it alone, Shelly, this
Why Do We Sing “Ozzi Vezimrat Yah”? Kamatz Katan, Part II. Originally Published March 26-27, 2021.
A couple weeks ago we looked at the kamatz katan. And the question comes back why would we use that vowel instead of the standard
Why do we sing “OH-zee vezimrat ya”? What is that vowel, anyway? Originally Published March 12-13, 2021.
This is a revisiting of a previous column, inasmuch as someone asked the question again a few weeks ago. The issue at hand is a
What Is “Selah”? Originally Published March 5-6, 2021.
Selah (סֶלָה, or סֶּלָה if it falls after a naked vowel) is a word of much mystery. We say the word “selah” often enough during
What Blessing Do We Say Over Hamantaschen? Originally Published February 26-27, 2021.
If our hamantaschen has fruit in it, what blessing do we say? Do we gravitate only to the poppy seed pastries to avoid conflict? There
What Is Shabbat Zakhor? Originally Published February 19-20, 2021.
This week is Shabbat Zakhor (שַׁבָּת זָכוֹר). Our bar mitzvah will be leyning a special maftir aliyah from Parashat Ki Tetse (Deuteronomy 25:17-19), and chanting
When Is Horseradish Not a Bitter Herb? Originally Published April 9-10, 2021.
“But Daddy, that’s a leaf! Rabbi says we dunk leafs into salt water, and for Maror we cry about horseradish!” “Leave it alone, Shelly, this
Why Do We Sing “Ozzi Vezimrat Yah”? Kamatz Katan, Part II. Originally Published March 26-27, 2021.
A couple weeks ago we looked at the kamatz katan. And the question comes back why would we use that vowel instead of the standard
Why do we sing “OH-zee vezimrat ya”? What is that vowel, anyway? Originally Published March 12-13, 2021.
This is a revisiting of a previous column, inasmuch as someone asked the question again a few weeks ago. The issue at hand is a
What Is “Selah”? Originally Published March 5-6, 2021.
Selah (סֶלָה, or סֶּלָה if it falls after a naked vowel) is a word of much mystery. We say the word “selah” often enough during
What Blessing Do We Say Over Hamantaschen? Originally Published February 26-27, 2021.
If our hamantaschen has fruit in it, what blessing do we say? Do we gravitate only to the poppy seed pastries to avoid conflict? There
What Is Shabbat Zakhor? Originally Published February 19-20, 2021.
This week is Shabbat Zakhor (שַׁבָּת זָכוֹר). Our bar mitzvah will be leyning a special maftir aliyah from Parashat Ki Tetse (Deuteronomy 25:17-19), and chanting