by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Nov 11, 2012
Although Simchas Torah is one of the highlights of the Jewish calendar, its origins are shrouded in mystery. Not mentioned at all in the Talmud or in any of the works of the Rishonim. The first mention in a Halachic work is in the glosses of the Rema (OC 669). What...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Sep 17, 2010
Previously titled “The Well Rested Candle” and “My Old Flame” There are five sets of candles that one may have to light for Yom Kippur. 1) The regular Yom Tov candles. These are the candles one lights before the onset of any Shabbos or Chag. The custom is to recite...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Oct 7, 2009
Overview The seventh day of Sukkos is known as Hoshana Rabbah, the day of many Hoshanos (or Hosanna’s). We will attempt to shed some light on the practices of the day. The origins of Hoshana Rabbah are in the Mishnah (Sukkah 4:5) which informs us that the custom was...
by Rabbi Tzvi Hirsch Haber | Sep 24, 2009
When making Havdalah after Yom Kippur one is obligated to use a light ‘that rested’. This is unique to Yom Kippur, on a regular Saturday night there is no such obligation. What does this mean? And why? A “ner sheshavas”, light that rested, requires that one light...
