These halachic guidelines are relevant for the Upsherin or any other haircut. (See illustrated guide here) One should not be ashamed of his pe’ot, rather he should carry them with […]
Judaism 101
Your go-to Jewish beginner’s guide: explore mitzvot, customs, and Jewish life basics—clearly and accessibly.
What is the most appropriate age for the Upsherin haircut? In most communities, the Upsherin (haircut) is done on the son’s third birthday. Like A Tree We find a source […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz I sometimes find myself committing aveirot (sins) that serve no real purpose for me, such as gossiping about people. I understand why I desire physical pleasures, but what is driving me […]
One of the hardest of the Ten Commandments is the direction that we not be jealous. Not killing, not stealing, not worshiping idols? I think most of us feel pretty […]
Why is the first haircut so significant in Jewish tradition? When a Jewish man receives a haircut, he must be sure not to completely remove his pe’ot (side locks). The […]
First Haircut Chalakah or Upsherin1 refers to the Jewish custom of cutting a boy’s hair at his third birthday.2 In many Jewish communities, they refrain from cutting a young boy’s […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz Every year, as we light our menorah, my children express their disappointment that our little flames seem so insignificant next to all the […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz: Rachel was buried on the side of the road in Kever Rachel, and not in Me’erat Hamachpeilah. This was so that when the Jewish people would pass her tomb on their way into galut (exile), she would daven (pray) […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz: Someone is asking me information about a boy for a shidduch. (What is a shidduch?) I know some unfavorable things about him and want […]
Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz: Lately, there’s been a trend of adding musical instruments to Hallel and Selichot. Should this innovation be welcomed or avoided? Rabbi Chaim Mintz […]
