http://www.chabad.org/search/keyword.asp?kid=1639 Newest articles written by Chani Benjaminson Copyright 2005, Chabad.org - Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center, all rights reserved. http://www.chabad.org/media/images/50/CtRx507451.gif 130 52 http://www.chabad.org Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=960878 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=960878 Question: I have heard "shalom" for years, but I don't know the meaning of the word. Can you help me understand this apparently profound word? Answer: I should know the meaning of the word as it's also my son's name... Shalom, like many Hebrew words, has more than one meaning. Shalom means peace, and is rooted in the word שלם (shaleim), which means completion. Without peace, there can be no completion... Shalom is also commonly used as a greeting and salutation. Shalom is also one of the Divine names, as such one should not greet a friend with "Shalom!" when in a place, such as a lavatory, where it is forbidden to pronounce G‑d's name. It is, however, permitted according to most halachic authorities – and such is the prevailing practice – to call or talk of a person named Shalom in such places. Shalom is also a common boy's name, though, interestingly, the Talmud refers to it as a woman's name (the name of Rabbi Eliezer's wife). There are many references to this word and its variations Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=960281 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=960281 Question: I am in a debate regarding Kohens and Levites. My friend says that Kohens are descended from Levites. I say that the three "levels" are Kohens, Levites and Israelites. Who is correct? Answer: You are both right. Kohanim (that's plural for Kohen) do indeed stem from the tribe of Levi. And yes, there are indeed three groups of Jews: Kohen (Priests), Levi (Levites) and Yisrael (Israelites). Here's how it works: Jacob's third son's name was Levi. Levi had three sons: Gershon, Kehot and Merari. Kehot's firstborn, Amram, had three children: Miriam, Aaron and Moses. Aaron was designated as the Kohen Gadol, the high priest; male descendants of Aaron are Kohanim. The rest of the tribe, are the Levites. Best wishes, Chani BenjaminsonChabad.org Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=698970 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=698970 The prohibition mentioned in the Torah is to mix meat (beef) with milk. This injunction was extended by the Sages to include fowl as its meat can be confused with beef. Eggs do not fall into this category as they cannot be mistaken for meat. Furthermore, eggs are considered a separate entity once they have been hatched and are considered to be pareve, or neutral, so that they can be eaten with either milk or meat. Interestingly, the Code of Jewish Law (Yoreh Deah 87:5) mentions that if fully formed eggs are found inside a chicken these may be consumed with milk products, however, if the eggs are not fully formed, they may not be consumed together with milk although one would be able to eat dairy products after eating one of them. Chani Benjaminson, Chabad.org Mon, 7 Jul 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=695069 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=695069 Brown chicken eggs are kosher. Nevertheless, you do need to examine them carefully for non-kosher blood spots as brown eggs tend to have more blood spots than white ones. "The reason is two-fold. Firstly, the genetics of brown birds predisposes them to lay more eggs with blood spots in them. Secondly, during the candling procedure [which allows manufacturers to remove almost all blood-spotted eggs], the brown shell of the egg appears to have a red tint to it, which makes the task of looking for a red spot behind it extremely difficult" – from the Golden Valley Foods FAQ webpage. For information on examining eggs for bloodspots, see Kosher Eggs. Best wishes, Chani Benjaminson, Chabad.org Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=670400 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=670400 I am a young adult woman, not affiliated with any branch of Judaism. I have heard of adults becoming bar/bat mitzvah and am enquiring whether this is possible with Chabad... Sun, 4 May 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=666219 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=666219 Question: My children are finicky eaters and don't like the Passover meals I prepare for them. Any suggestions? Answer: Passover can be challenging, but there are ways and means to make it lots of fun as well! Here are a few suggestions I'll share with you, from mother to mother :) Focus on the positive, if your children complain that they miss their regular food, empathize but don't let them dwell on it. Instead, shift the focus of the conversation, telling them that this is an adventure that will last only eight days, an adventure of reliving what our great-great-grandparents did so many years ago... Make it exciting for them! Involve them in the preparations and processes. My children had a blast helping me clean the refrigerator...and can't wait to set the table for the Seder. If you have a kosher for Passover oven you can make lots of potato fries which I'm sure they'll enjoy! You can make shnitzel, fried chicken cutlets (dipped in egg and/or potato starch), roast chicken, meat pa Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=652019 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=652019 Abraham, 1813-1638 BCE, is considered the first Jew. A native of Mesopotamia, he rejected the idolatrous ways of his ancestors and contemporaries; he was the first person to use his own cognitive abilities to discover and recognize the one G‑d. He then actively publicized his newfound monotheistic beliefs among his fellow citizens. Eventually G‑d revealed Himself to Abraham and commanded him to leave his ancestral home and travel to the land of Canaan (later known as the Land of Israel). G‑d then promised this land as the eternal inheritance of his descendants. Abraham took upon himself the observance of the mitzvot (divine commandments) and at the age of 99 he followed G‑d's command to circumcise himself and the men of his household. Click here for more on Abraham and his spiritual wanderings. See also "Jews" or "Israelites"? Best wishes, Chani Benjaminson, Chabad.org Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=649949 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=649949 "Haman sought to annihilate all the Jews, Mordechai's people, throughout Ahasuerus' entire kingdom. In the first month, which is the month of Nissan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus' reign, a pur, which is a lot, was cast before Haman, for every day and every month, [and it fell] on the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar" – Book of Esther 3:6-7. "For Haman, son of Hamdatha, the Agagite, persecutor of all the Jews, plotted against the Jews to destroy them, and he cast a pur, which is a lot, to shatter them and destroy them ... For this did they call these days "Purim," after the pur..." – ibid. 9:24, 26. Haman drew lots to determine the day when to schedule the extermination of the Jews. Why is this seemingly trivial detail of Haman's plot magnified to the extent that the holiday is named after it? And why is the holiday given a name drawn from the Persian language? See: A Throw Of Dice The Pur of Purim The Illogical Holiday Best wishes and Shabbat Shalom, Chani Benjaminson Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=647205 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=647205 Question: I need help. My family has always enjoyed Shabbat meals and I light the Shabbat candles. Now we have decided to become totally Shabbat observant. Problem is, I am a professional. I work a lot. Quitting is not an option, and I leave work on Fridays barely in time to arrive home by sundown. How can I possibly prepare Shabbat? Can we ever have anyone over? Frankly, worrying about Shabbat all week is stressing me out, and it seems to be contrary to the entire Shabbat spirit. I would really appreciate practical tips from women who have actually had to deal with these issues. Answer: It's great that you have made the decision to be Shabbat observant; Shabbat is such a blessing, if it didn't exist it would have to be invented! I realize it is hard, but know that you are not alone; there are many Jewish women in your position who are able to juggle both. Here are some suggestions, let me know if they work for you or not! Prepare for Shabbat during the week. If you bake challah, bake Wed, 5 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=661015 http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=661015 Out of respect for the mourner's grieving, it is considered inappropriate to send a mishloach manot food package to a person who lost a parent within the last twelve months. One can, however, send mishloach manot to the mourner's family. Chani Benjaminson, Chabad.org Sat, 1 Mar 2008 12:00:00 EST