I've Always Wondered
Why are There Four Aliyot on Rosh Hodesh? Originally Published on November 16-17, 2018.

Even on days when we do not usually read Torah at morning services, if it is Rosh Hodesh, the beginning of the new month (on the Jewish calendar), we read Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:1-15. Let’s start from the beginning.  We read Torah in the morning on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, all from the same parashah (portion) […]

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I've Always Wondered
What Is Yom HaAliyah? Originally published October 12-13, 2018.

Yom HaAliyah is an Israeli national holiday.  It is celebrated both on 10 Nisan and on 7 Heshvan—the latter being the school celebration, occurring this coming Monday evening through Tuesday.  The observance commemorates the historic events of 10 Nisan, and thus acknowledges aliyah, immigration to the Jewish state, as a core value of the country.  It […]

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