We the Rabbis and Rabbaniyot of Beit Hillel wish to address those who pray in communities or as part of the greater public: In this very difficult year, as we struggle with the effects of the Corona pandemic and our society has adopted increasingly stringent restrictions of lockdown and social distancing, we call upon every […]
Al Hanisim For Yom Haatzmaut
Out of truthful and grateful contemplation, and commitment to halachah and our liturgical tradition, Beit Hillel has issued a 70-word long Al Ha’nisim text that aspires to accurately and faithfully describe the great wonder of Israel’s Day of Independence, of the Jewish people’s revival and its State. Beit Hillel proposes that the public adopt this new Al Hanisim text – in synagogues and at home. We recommend that it be […]
Celebrate Yom Yerushalayim in Teaneck – With Torah from Israel!
Join us on May 15, 2017 (19 Iyar 5777) for a special evening of learning in anticipation of Yom Yerushalayim with Rav Yehuda Gilad – Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Maalei Gilboa, Rav of Kibbutz Lavi, and a member of Beit Hillel’s executive committee. You Might Also Like: Did you enjoy this post? Please click […]
Beit Hillel and Shalhevet Institute Shabbaton in Los Angeles
Save the Date! Attend the Beit Hillel and Shalhevet Institute Shabbaton in Los Angeles, Parshat Emor (May 12 – May 14). Don’t miss this very interesting and inspiring weekend of learning with the Rabbanim and Rabbaniot of Beit Hillel. You Might Also Like: Did you enjoy this post? Please click on the buttons below […]
Elchai Toharlev – Hashem Yikom Damo
With great sadness, we regret to inform you of the murder of Elchai Toharlev, Hashem Yikom Damo, the son of our board member Rav Ohad Toharlev, in today’s terrorist attack at the Ofra junction. We want to support Rav Ohad and the entire Toharlev family at this difficult time. We pray and hope that they […]
Beit Hillel Conference: “We Cannot Be Silent”
The Rabbanim and Rabbaniyot of Beit Hillel invite the general public to participate in the conference: “We Cannot Be Silent” Learning, Deepening the Jewish Dialogue and Raising Awareness to Assist in the Humanitarian Crisis in Syria. The conference will take place on the fast of the tenth of Tevet, Sunday January 8, 2017. 15:15 – […]
Parshat Bereshit: A Tribute To Nehama Leibowitz
In chapter 2 of Breisheet, the first woman is created. The woman is called “Isha” as it says in Breisheet 2:23 “And the man said, this is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man (ki meish lookcha zot)”. In chapter […]
Women dancing with the Sefer Torah
In what follows, I will relate to the proper way to act when women dance with the sifrei Torah on Simchat Torah. This responsum is intended for a community which has decided that women will dance with the sefer Torah, and its purpose is to respond to two questions which are likely to arise as […]
Divine Kingship and Sanctity
The most central theme of our Rosh Hashanah liturgy is divine Kingship. This is reflected in many of the piyyutim recited by many communities, as well as by significant changes in the language of the Amidah prayer: replacing the words ha-el ha-kadosh (the Holy God) of the third benediction with ha-melekh ha-kadosh (the Holy King), […]
Evening to Raise Awareness of Beit Hillel
Do you know what Beit Hillel is all about? Do your friends? Do you want to get more information? On Wednesday evening the 21st of Tamuz 5776 (July 27, 2016), Beit Hillel will hold an evening event in Raanana to help raise awareness and share information about what Beit Hillel does – and how it […]
The Meshivat Nefesh Project
What is the Meshivat Nefesh project? The Meshivat Nefesh project aims to provide women and girls with an attentive female ear and responder to tailor a response to their questions, a response they couldn’t always get in other ways. What prompted this idea? Women and girls of various ages feel the need to take counsel […]
Parshat Metzorah: Three Approaches to Nigei Batim
According to one opinion (Sanhedrin 71a), there never was a bayit hamenuga; the Torah wants us to expound upon this theoretical subject and receive a reward. These esoteric laws apparently include ideas that instruct and inspire irrespective of practical application. Indeed, darshanim have found much sermonic material in the biblical account of a blemished house. […]
Parshat Hachodesh: Most Important Holiday Of Them All
What is the most important holiday- Pesach…Shavuot…Sukkot…Rosh Chodesh? Believe it or not it is Rosh Chodesh! The Maftir which is read this Shabbat “Hachodesh” comes from Shmot 12:1-20 and states in sentence 2: “This month shall be for you the beginning of the months, it shall be for you the first of […]
Parshat Parah: Sometimes There Are No Answers
This week, in addition to reading the regular parsha, we will also read “Parshat Parah”, which lists the laws pertaining to the Red Heifer generally considered one of the most obtuse segments in the entire Torah. It is considered the quintessential “chok’, or law not given over to human comprehension, since it contains internal contradictions: […]
Parashat Tzav: The Mishkan and Incest
Parashat Tzav describes the path of anointing Aharon and his sons for their priestly duties in the Mishkan. Aharon and his sons are commanded to keep vigil at the entrance of the Mishkan for seven days: “ּפֶתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד תֵּשְׁבוּ יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה, שִׁבְעַת יָמִים, וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם אֶת-מִשְׁמֶרֶת יְהוָה, וְלֹא תָמוּתוּ: כִּי-כֵן, צֻוֵּיתִי.” Literally, the Kohanim are […]