Monday evening begins the fast of the 9th of Av, when we gather in synagogue to hear the reading of Eichah, Lamentations. For those who don’t have easy access to the special texts typically read on this day, Chabad.org offers many options:

• Web: Swipe and scroll through our bilingual Eichah with Rashi on the acclaimed Torah Texts platform

• App: Download our Siddur app, created jointly with Kehot Publication Society

• PDF: Use our bilingual PDF of highlights of the services for both night and day provided by Koren

Wishing you an easy and meaningful fast, in prayer that the day be converted to one of celebration!

Your friends @ Chabad.org

Dear Friend,

Someone famously said, “Judaism isn’t a hobby; it’s a way of life!”

Indeed, Jewish law is known in Hebrew as halachah, which means “going,” and it accompanies you as you make your way through life, providing divine guidance for just about every situation and scenario.

Some people mistakenly view halachah as a burden, an endless to-do list. Instead think about it as a series of opportunities to connect with G‑d! This will allow you to appreciate halachah in a whole different way!

Here is the challenge: the corpus of Jewish tradition is so huge—comprised of the combined scholarship of dozens of generations—that it is often hard to know how and when to understand and apply each law.

This is why we are launching a special bi-weekly column, Halachah for Life, written in a way that speaks to our modern lifestyle and challenges, organized in a way that is easy to understand and follow.

For example, one of our very first columns will discuss plane travel. What do you need to know when you hop on a plane? How does it impact prayer times, kosher meals, etc.? You will find all the answers in an easy, Q&A format.

To put this all together, we’ve tapped a team led by Rabbi Yehuda Shurpin, a veteran of our Ask the Rabbi Team and author of the acclaimed Ask “Rabbi Y” series.

We’d love to have you join us for this special project!

Click here to receive the Halachah for Life every two weeks.

And as always, we can’t wait to hear your thoughts, constructive feedback and ideas for future columns.

Yours Friends @ Chabad.org

Dear Friend!

We’re so excited that you are on board for the Hebrew Word of the Week and look forward to exploring another Hebrew word with you each week.

We will be starting with our first installment on Tuesday, July 25 (8 Av). What will it be about? We’re not saying, but trust us that it will give you something to think about on the 9 Av fast day that begins that evening. So make sure to be on the lookout for it!

As we eagerly await the kickoff, we’re thrilled to share a quick video by Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson (co-author of People of the Word), providing just a taste of the insights you’ll gain when unpacking the Hebrew word for joy, simchah. We hope you enjoy it!

With blessings,

The Hebrew Word of the Week Team

P.S. Feel free to invite your friends to also join the Hebrew Word of the Week club by sharing this link with them: www.chabad.org/wordoftheweek