Week at a glance

Shabbos information

This Shabbos

This week's Torah chapter is Sukkos II

This Friday, September 30 Mincha will be at 7:00 PM

Candle lighting will be at 6:16 PM

Kiddush sponsorship for this week is available

Mincha on Shabbos, October 1 will be at 6:05 PM

Maariv will be at 7:14 PM

Shabbos ends at 7:24 PM

Kiddush reservation

Payment


For Venmo and Zelle donations use email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

All donations are tax deductible

Weekly Q&A about Jewish law

Answered by Rabbi Agisthein

   

Question

Am I allowed to get a haircut or shave on Chol Hamoed?


Answer

The Shulchan Aruch (Oh”c 531:1) writes that there is a Mitzvah to get a haircut before Yom Tov so that one enters the festival looking respectful. To ensure that people don’t procrastinate and go into Yom Tov looking overgrown, Chazal prohibited getting a haircut on Chol Hamoed.  Even if someone was too busy and truly had no time to get a haircut before, it is still prohibited because onlookers will not know that he has a valid excuse (ibid).  Regarding shaving, the majority of Poskim write that the same prohibition applies and one cannot shave on Chol Hamoed. If someone has a real need to shave, such as an important meeting or something similar, Rav Moshe Feinstein writes that one can be lenient provided that they made sure to shave on Erev Yom Tov. This prohibition only applies to hair of the head or beard. Removing other body or face hair i.e. waxing, shaving legs, doing eyebrows, etc. is permitted on Chol Hamoed (ibid 546:5).


To send in a question, call or text Rabbi Agishtein at 973-545-6756 or email him directly at acagishtein@gmail.com.

Videos by Rabbi Dimarsky

Exit

Blessing on the food



Monday and Wednesday nights at Heritage

We say different brochos (blessings) on different types of food we eat.
The class is taught on a beginner and advanced level (including original halachic sources).

Learn the proper blessing and become an expert in praising Hashem!

Thursday night Mishmar

Pre-Shabbos night of learning and socializing

Come to enjoy hot cholent (Jewish traditional food) and other delicacies while getting deeper knowledge in weekly Torah portion, page of Talmud or Hebrew language.

There is a separate Mishmar Junior program for teenage boys led by Rabbi Zuckerman

Rosh Chodesh Event



Monthly gathering for women

For women, Rosh Chodesh, the first day of the new month, is considered a mini-holiday as a reward for not having been willing to participate in the sin of the Golden Calf.

Women had the ability to see beyond the very frightening situation the Jewish people experienced after Moses went up to receive the Torah and tarried on his way back.

Like the moon, becoming brighter and bigger only after it disappears completely into darkness, they knew that better times were on the way. It was impossible to them that God would leave them stranded after having just received the Torah 40 days earlier. They were willing to believe in the power of renewal and trust God no matter how difficult things seemed.

This event is organized in the beginning of every Jewish month. It is held in different locations and has different guest speakers.

For the upcoming event contact our office at office@russianjews.org

Tuesday parenting

As baalei teshuva, our parenting journey holds unique challenges.

"How to Talk So Kids Will Listen" is a terrific book. But as Jewish parents, we're not value-neutral. We have a specific, beautiful heritage that we want to pass on to our kids. We want to raise children who are deeply committed Jews, with a genuine love for Yiddishkeit.

Finding a blueprint for this task is tough. We often can't rely on our own parents' methods.  And we can't simply mirror our friends. They themselves might be on similar journeys.

We crave a clear, practical roadmap to raise balanced, well-adjusted children, continually inspired by their Yiddishkeit.

That's where "Spare the Child'' by Rabbi Yechiel Yaakovson comes in. This book distills Rabbi Yaakovson's decades of chinuch experience into a structured approach for raising children who find their own motivation in Yiddishkeit. It's not just about day-to-day instructions, but shaping the mindset and character of a Jewish parent.

This class meets Tuesdays, 8:45 PM