Tefillin (Hebrew: תפ××××â) are a set of small cubic leather boxes painted black, containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah, with leather straps dyed black on one side, and worn by observant Jews during weekday morning prayers. To wear Tefillin is one of the most important Mitzvah in the whole Torah. The obligation of  tefillin [...]
Nishmat Kol Chai is one of the most beautiful poetic adorations in all of liturgical literature, recited as part of the Shacharit (morning) service on Shabbat and festivals immediately following Shirat Ha-Yam (“Song at the Sea”). It is also said at the Pesach Seder. The first paragraph was known in Mishnaic times, the second was composed during [...]
A few days ago Natan Rolnik (we wrote about him reviewing the Chagei Tishrei application dedicated to the victim of the 31st August massacre) released another application: Mesilat Yesharim (Path of the Just) – in memory of  Zeev Fishel ben Shmuel Z”L. Mesilat Yesharim, a classical work of Jewish ethics, was written by Rabbi Moshe [...]
Tefilat Kaparot is a Jewish folk custom during the days prior to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to transfer one’s sins to a chicken or to money given to charity. In this application you’ll find the Tefila that is being said, with more information and instructions. As in all the other applications by Yaniv [...]
Tashlich is a ceremony performed outside during Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Â Each year, many Jews around the world walk to moving water bodies and perform Tashlich (this year September 29, 2011), which means “to throw” or “to cast”, and toss small crumbs into the water to be eaten by fish. In this way, [...]
Selichot (Heb. ץ××××ת) are Jewish poems and prayers, especially those said in the period leading up to the High Holy Days. The central theme throughout the prayers are Thirteen Attributes of G-d. In the Sephardic tradition, Selichot begins during the series of Selichot services of the High Holidays on the second day of the month of Elul and [...]
Written by Rabbi Shlomo Ganzfried (1804-1886) “for G-d fearing Jews who are not in a position to study and comprehend the [original, full] Shulchan Aruch and its commentaries” the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch is the classic concise compendium covering all areas of  Halacha.  Rabbi Ganzfried expresses his intentions in his introduction: ⌠[This book] includes from the [...]
Prayerbook Hebrew Flashcards, from EKS Publishing, provides an adaptable learning environment for mastering basic Prayerbook Hebrew vocabulary. Vocabulary is based on frequency of use in the Hebrew Prayerbook The Easy Way. Understanding Hebrew is the key to experiencing the richness of Jewish prayer. Prayerbook Hebrew the Easy Way teaches the Hebrew found in all Jewish prayerbooks. [...]
Taharas HaMishpacha,  also known as Family Purity,  is an extremely important part of Jewish marital life. This iPhone application will allow you to make this sometimes complex and important part of  marriage, a bit easier for you and your family. The Mikvah application has several key parts to it that aid you in observing the [...]
Leining Master - This amazing mp3 CD is the ideal  tool to help you learn to chant the Torah, Haftarot and Megillot. Whether you’re an upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparing for your big day or an adult intent on learning or enhancing your Torah reading skills, this CD is for you! Leining Master offers the following features: [...]
Selichot are special prayers for forgiveness. They are usually said on fast days, and also said during the period preceding Yom Kippur. In the Sephardic tradition, Selichot are said beginning with the month of  Elul, through Yom Kippur to help worshipers direct their hearts and minds to the process of teshuvah, repentance.  At the Selichot service, worshipers begin to examine [...]
In Judaism, there is a blessing for everything… In particular, Ahser Yatzar, which means “Who formed” refers to the complexity of  the bodily functions.  It is a blessing recited by Jews as part of the morning blessings and every time after using the bathroom.  Don’t wait until you are sick to appreciate and give thanks [...]
Kaddish is a traditional prayer that is said daily with a quorum of at least ten Jewish males who are over the age of thirteen.  The word Kaddish means sanctification, and the prayer is a sanctification of G-d’s name. The mourner stands and says the Kaddish while the quorum responds in unison with the appropriate phrase . The [...]
There was a time, not too long ago, just going back a few years really when you couldn’t find Perek Shirah at all. Many Rabbis didn’t even know about this t’filah. It had been hidden from us for hundreds of years. But the time has come for Perek Shirah to be revealed once again. Perek [...]
Lectures on Tisha B’Av, Recitation of  Kinot and Aicha by Rabbi Joshua Maroof. Rabbi Joshua Maroof received his baccalaureate degree with honors from the State University of  New York at  Stony Brook,  and his masters degree in Educational Psychology from the City University of  New York  (CUNY). He received semicha (ordination) from Rabbi Yisrael Chait, Rosh Yeshiva [...]
