By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com One can only say, “Mi KaAmcha Yisroel.”   And, in fact, the judge in a recent case actually said something just like that.  The statement was made concerning an individual that had just spent close to 4 months in Riker’s Island, and due to our community’s efforts, was spared a […]

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com This article was written l’ilui nishmas (for the elevation of the soul ofl) the author’s father, Nosson Yoseph Ben Moshe, whose fifteenth yartzeit is tonight, 5 Iyar. It is the custom within the community, Klal Yisroel, to light a Yahrzeit candle on the day that a relative had passed […]

I remember myself standing at the siren, closing my eyes and shedding a tear over an emotional passage or a sad song. I’ve always connected to Memorial Day ceremonies. At least that’s what I thought. That this is how you feel when you connect. But I never thought it would be my family – the […]

[By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times] IT IS A PROBLEM THAT a number of Jewish students face. At home, they have been accustomed to wait six hours between meat and dairy. This is their family Minhag. When they go away to their various institutions of learning, some of these institutions have […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Please Daven on behalf of R’ Chaim Shlomo ben Rochel, a talmid chochom and tzaddik   There is a fascinating Zohar (parshas vayishlach p. 179) which states: “Come and see, in these songs and praises that Dovid HaMelech recited – there is within them secrets and and matters from […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com The men and Yeshiva boys come home from shul.  They make kiddush and eat right before the meal.  Are they permitted to do so?  When finished, do they make a bracha acharona – an after bracha?  Or is the food covered by the bentching that will be made after […]

(By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com) [In honor of the shalom zachar of our great-nephew to Matan and Sarah Shaked .] The Klausenberger Rebbe zt”l was once shot in the arm r”l by a Nazi while he was in Auschwitz. He was afraid to go to the Nazi infirmary, even there were doctors there. He […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Before we begin, let’s start with two thoughts about Hatzolah people.  They are there for us, through thick and thin.  They are selfless.  They give up their precious family time.  That’s the first thought. The second thought is that they relieve our anxieties.  We know that they are there.  […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Sal and Vinny, the barbers, have, uncharacteristically, been calling up the halacha hotlines across the country with the following question: Should we staff up for an onslaught on Friday or not? [Actually, they probably have not called – but, hopefully, you do get the picture]. SHORT ANSWER The short […]