Chabad Magazine "Lag BaOmer: Here's What You Need to Be Ready" for Wednesday, Iyar 17, 5775 · May 6, 2015

Chabad Magazine "Lag BaOmer: Here's What You Need to Be Ready" for Wednesday, Iyar 17, 5775 · May 6, 2015
Editor's Note:
Dear Friend,
Judaism is all about asking questions. In fact, before the Internet was invented, Chabad.org’s founder, Rabbi YY Kazen, was fielding questions from all around the world via message boards and other precursors to email as we know it.
To this day, our Ask the Rabbi team replies to hundreds of questions on a daily basis on every topic imaginable. From the Jewish backpacker seeking a warm meal and a place to pray to the curious gentile wondering about Jewish tradition—each and every one is answered with care and respect.
Since the early days of our site, we’ve been publishing some of these questions (of course removing any identifying information to ensure the privacy of the questioner). Today, Chabad.org has a collection of thousands of such correspondences online for all to enjoy.
We’re thrilled to announce that Rabbi Yehuda Shurpin, who joined the Ask the Rabbi team in 2009, has begun a new column called “Ask Rabbi Y.” As you may have guessed, it will be a place where you can ask “why.” Why do we write Hebrew from right to left? Why do we make a blessing on fire on Saturday night? These are just some of the issues he’s been addressing on a weekly basis.
Is there something you’re wondering about? Just submit your “why,” and Rabbi Y will consider it for an upcoming column.
Enjoy!
The Chabad.org Editorial Team
PS: Rabbi Shurpin also maintains another column, “The Court of Jewish Law,” where everyday questions are analyzed in the light of halachic tradition.
This Week's Features:

Printable Magazine

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Info, stories, inspiration, videos, and more.

YOUR QUESTIONS

Rabbi Y: Why Do Jews Still Insist on Speaking Yiddish?
Why are Jewish people living in the United States speaking German? Can’t they speak in English or at least Hebrew?
By Yehuda Shurpin
More in Your Questions:
• Why Is Challah Braided? (By Chana Weisberg)
LAG BAOMER: CELEBRATING THE INNER WORLD

Raise Your Hand if You’d Like to Change Something About Yourself
By Chana Weisberg
WOMEN

I Was a Street Child in Ukraine
The true story of a girl who learned to believe in herself
By Tzippy Koltenyuk
More in Women:
• My Mikvah Experience in Beijing (by Shalvi Waldman)
• Who’s That Knocking at My Door? (By Lieba Rudolph)
PARSHAH

Learn the Parshah In Depth
Join the sages of yesteryear as they explore the deeper meaning of this week's Parshah. As quoted from the Talmud, Zohar, Maimonides, the Code of Jewish Law, and more...
More in Parshah:
• Inspiring Light (By Eli Touger)
JEWISH NEWS

Next Task in Nepal: Retrieving the Remains of Jews for Burial
Rabbi Chezky Lifshitz and a fellow rescuer fly to find the living—and the dead, while Chani Lifshitz and her staff continue to care for the stranded and the desperate in Kathmandu.
By Menachem Posner
More in Jewish News:
• Getting Ready for Lag BaOmer in Every Israeli City and Town(By Sarah Leah Lawent)
• Comforting the Friends and Family of Deceased Israeli Hiker(By Chabad.org Staff)
• Chabad Rabbi in Bangkok Wins Jerusalem Unity Prize (By Sarah Leah Lawent)
VIDEO

How to Be a Kohen
Various added restrictions, responsibilities and honors that apply to the patrilineal descendants of Aaron even in our days.
By Mendel Kaplan
Download Listen (1:15:36)
More in Video:
• Blind Love (By Shifra Sharfstein)
• Finding What You Didn’t Lose
STORY

Was That a Blessing or a Curse?
"You will plant and won’t harvest; you will bring in and won’t bring out; you will bring out and won’t bring in...”
Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Moed Katan 9a-9b
LIFESTYLE

Bake Linzer Tarts with Miriam
By Miriam Szokovski
More in Lifestyle:
• 11 Recipes to Make for Lag BaOmer (By Miriam Szokovski)
• Painting: Counting the Omer (By Yoram Raanan)
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