- Shabbat and Holidays
- IDF Memorial Day
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practices done by other nations, if performed for
a certain benefit, such as to show honor, are
permitted to Jews. To protect Jewish specialness,
Chazal forbade adopting non-Jewish customs in two
categories: 1) If the act is linked to idolatry
or another form of worship (e.g. holding our
hands together or kneeling as is done in church);
or 2) If the act has no apparent reason
whatsoever, as its origin may then stem from an
idolatrous or pagan practice. But where the act
is not religious in nature, & has a definite
purpose, it is allowed. Thus wearing a suit &
tie, marching in a parade, sending a get-well
note to an ill person or standing in respect at a
memorial siren is perfectly permissible – even
laudable. The failure to show honor to the fallen
not only demonstrates a lack of Hakarat HaTov, it
is poraysh mim ha-tzibur, separating the wider
community & promoting disunity & acrimony between
Jews, which in & of itself creates a Chillul Hashem.
The Pain and the Pride
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Nissan 25 5781
BETWEEN YOM HASHOA & YOM HAZIKARON
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Nisan 5785
MEMORIAL DAY
Rabbi Berel Wein | Iyar 5768
12. Yom Ha-zikaron: A Day of Remembrance for Israel’s Fallen Soldiers
Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Cheshvan 5 5782
Daf Yomi Shevuot Daf 4
R' Eli Stefansky | 7 Iyar 5785
Not Just What You See is What You Get
Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 75
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Iyar 5785
Daf Yomi Shevuot Daf 3
R' Eli Stefansky | 6 Iyar 5785
