Backman’s Corner: Why do we count days during the Omer?
By Eli Backman
For Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
Why do we count the days?
To know when school will be out!
Sefirah refers to the counting of days between Passover and the holiday of Shavuot. Passover was the time the Jews left Egypt and Shavuot is the time they received the Torah from G-d at Mount Sinai. The time between is seen as a time they ...
Backman’s Corner: International conference for Chabad-Lubavitch emissaries
By Eli Backman
For Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
Dinner is served; With 5,000 of your closest friends.
In what is one of the largest sit down dinners in New York City, the banquet has become the gala of the weekend.
The last weekend of November was the annual International Conference for Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries or the Shluchim Kinus. ...
Backman’s Corner: the month of Cheshvan
By Eli Backman
For the Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
Views expressed in opinion columns are the author's own.
Do you remember the rush of excitement about going through college applications? Visiting schools? Finally being accepted to some and choosing which one is right for you?
You finally show up on campus as a freshman, and the ...
Backman’s Corner: Why do we count days during the Omer?
By Eli Backman
For the Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
A friend told me this time period is called ‘Sefirah’ and we count the days. Please explain?
To know when school will be out!
Sefirah, which means “count” in Hebrew, refers to the counting of days between Passover and the holiday of Shavuot. Passover was the time the Jews left Egypt, and Shavuot ...
Backman’s Corner: Why do we only use three matzot during Passover?
By Eli Backman
For the Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
Question: I understand that we use four cups of wine to commemorate the four expressions of freedom in Exodus "I will release you... I will save you... I will liberate you... I will take you unto Me as a Nation"
So why do use only three matzot during the Seder and not four?
Answer:
The difference ...
Backman’s Corner: Why do we dress up on Purim? Where did this tradition come from?
By Eli Backman
For the Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
It all started one year after someone celebrated a little too hard and didn’t want anyone to know who he is, was and what he did…
Okay the story of Purim, Cliff notes style:
Characters listed in book
Mordechai, Esther, Haman, Achashverosh, Vashti, Charvonah, Bigsan and Seresh. These individuals ...
Backman’s Corner: What does it mean to be an educated Jew?
By Eli Backman
For the Mitzpeh
@Mitzpeh
I received an email from a student, who was writing a thesis paper, with the following question:
“Who is an educated Jew?”
Before you continue reading, stop and think a moment how you would answer that question. What formula would you use to reach a ...
