Cart
Free Shipping in Australia
Proud to be B-Corp

The Moon, Lamentations, Pancakes and Much More Rabbi Dr. Chaim Simons

The Moon, Lamentations, Pancakes and Much More By Rabbi Dr. Chaim Simons

The Moon, Lamentations, Pancakes and Much More by Rabbi Dr. Chaim Simons


$26.99
Condition - Very Good
Only 3 left

Summary

The Moon, Lamentations, Pancakes, and Much More: Research on Subjects of Jewish Law

The Moon, Lamentations, Pancakes and Much More Summary

The Moon, Lamentations, Pancakes and Much More: Research on Subjects of Jewish Law by Rabbi Dr. Chaim Simons

A boy in America spent nearly a year learning his Barmitzvah Parashah (Torah reading) and then came to Israel for the Shabbat of his Barmitzvah. However, to his shock he learned that that the Parashah that he had so studiously learned over the course of a year had been read on the previous Shabbat! What happened? There are indeed a few occasions in some years when the Parashah read in Israel is not the same as that read in the Diaspora. One of the many papers in this book discusses this question. The following apparent anomalous questions are also discussed. The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) gives a long list of days on which one (theoretically) fasts during the Jewish Year. For each of these days, a reason is given. However, in one case, the ninth day of the month of Tevet, the Shulchan Aruch declines to give a reason. Why and what is the reason for the secrecy? In the not-too-distant past there was the triennial cycle in Israel for reading the entire Torah. When this changed to the annual cycle as was the customary in the Diaspora, this caused a problem as to what to read from the Torah on Simchat Torah in Israel. What was the reason for this, and how was it solved? May one (although it is not recommended!) use black shoe polish to blacken the straps of a pair of Tefillin? An additional chapter suddenly appeared at the end of Megillat Ta'anit. How did this occur? Everyone knows that the Shofar is blown on Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). Why then do people living near a Synagogue hear the shofar being blown early every morning during the entire month preceding Rosh Hashanah? After the Synagogue service at the termination of the Sabbath, all the congregants went outside the Synagogue, and started to look for the moon. What was special about the moon? Everyone knows that one reads Megillat (Scroll) Esther on Purim. However, there are also four other megillot read during the course of the year. One of them, namely Eichah (Lamentations), is read with everyone sitting on the floor. Why on the floor, and what is the occasion? The Festival of Chanukah is known as the Feast of Lights since one lights an increasing number of candles each night. But why is it customary to eat latkes (pancakes) on Chanukah? The Festival of Purim is not observed on the same date throughout the world. In addition, there are cities where Purim is celebrated for two days. Why this anomaly and does it apply to all the mitzvot (observances) of Purim? Is it correct for an orphan to advance the age for his Barmitzvah from 13 to 12? Rain is essential almost everywhere in the world, but it must be in the correct season of the year. Why then do Jews living in the southern hemisphere pray for rain during their summer and not during their winter? Why does a prayer for the Creator of the moon depend on the time of the average new moon rather than on the actual time of the astronomical new moon? Why was the pilgrimage which originally took place in Meron, in the north of Israel, on Pesach Sheni (the minor Passover) moved over to Tiberias? The Talmud refers to a boy born with two heads and the observance of various commandments in connection with him. Why has such a situation become more relevant in our generation?

About Rabbi Dr. Chaim Simons

CHAIM SIMONS was born in London in 1942. At the age of 20, he was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours in Chemistry and Physics from the University of London. Three years later he received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the same University. At a later date, he was awarded a Bachelor degree in Educational Technology. He also possesses a Rabbinical Diploma and is a qualified teacher with decades of experience in education, which includes the setting and marking of Matriculation examinations. He has written a number of books and booklets on a variety of subjects which includes population transfer, various topics in relation to the Land of Israel, genealogy, autobiographical material, papers on Rabbinical subjects which have been published in scholarly journals, and pupils' workbooks for different age groups.

Table of Contents

Preface Blackening the Retzuot of Tefillin including the Inner Side Does an Orphan start Putting on Tefillin at the age of Twelve? Two-headed Siamese Twins - Aspects in Jewish Law The Date for Starting to Ask for Rain in the Diaspora Differences in the Reading of the Parashiot between Eretz Yisrael and the Diaspora The Connection between the Molad and the Time for Reciting Kiddush Levana Reading the Megillot Shir Hashirim, Rut, Eichah and Kohelet Pilgrimages to the Graves of the Righteous in the month of Iyar The Reasons for the Fast on the Ninth of Tevet Is the chapter "Days on which one Fasts" the last chapter in Megillat Ta'anit? Blowing the Shofar during the Month of Elul The Reading of the Torah on Shemini Atzeret (Simchat Torah) in Eretz Yisrael Eating Cheese and Latkes on Chanukah When does one Observe the Mitzvot of Purim in a Doubtfully Walled City?

Additional information

GOR013971578
9781803813103
1803813105
The Moon, Lamentations, Pancakes and Much More: Research on Subjects of Jewish Law by Rabbi Dr. Chaim Simons
Used - Very Good
Paperback
Grosvenor House Publishing Ltd
2022-12-15
372
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

Customer Reviews - The Moon, Lamentations, Pancakes and Much More