Need to see the Rabbi?
You can now make a Thursday evening appointment via the office.

Your Halacha questions answered (Use the link below to ask your own questions. Please state if you would like a personal reply and ensure you include your email address.)

Previous questions

Q 1. Why do we refer to the bread used on Shabbat and Yomtov as 'challah'?

A. Historically, Jewish women would bake this bread themselves in honour of the Shabbat. Weekday bread, on the other hand, was generally purchased from a communal baker known as " Nachtom " in Hebrew. When one bakes a quantity of dough oneself there is a mitzvah to separate " Challah " ( the portion of the Kohen ) and either give it to the priest or allow it to be burned. Thus the Shabbat loaves became synonymous with this commandment and assumed it's name.

Q 2. Why do we light at least two candles on Friday night?

A. The reason has to do with the fact that the commandment to sanctify the Shabbat occurs twice in the Torah -- once in the first statement of the ten commandments ("zachor") and once in the repetition of the same ("shamor"). The lighting of candles is the first act of sanctification and therefore should encompass and remind us of the two commands.

Email to your questions to the Rabbi

Please enter the main site (see below) and explore. There is much to find, to inform and to enjoy.