Rabbi Dr. Ari Z. Zivotofsky

FOOD

What’s the Truth about . . . Boiling Three Eggs?

Misconception: When making hard-boiled eggs, there is a halachic requirement to boil at least three eggs at a time.

SHAVUOT

What’s The Truth About… the Luchot?

Most contemporary synagogues and institutions have no qualms about depicting the Luchot in a format that originated in non-Jewish art.

JEWISH LAW

What’s the Truth about . . . Asarah B’Tevet Falling on Shabbat?

Misconception: If the tenth of Tevet (Asarah B’Tevet) would fall on Shabbat, it would be observed as a fast even on Shabbat.

JEWISH LAW

What’s The Truth About . . . The “Expiration Date” Of Rabbeinu Gershom’s Ban On Polygamy?

Fact: Polygamy remains generally prohibited and the situation has not and will not revert to the pre-cherem situation.

ISRAEL

What’s The Truth About…The Kotel Being Judaism’s Holiest Site?

Misconception: The “Kotel”1—the Western or Wailing Wall—is Judaism’s holiest site. Fact:  The location of the Kodesh Hakodashim (the “Holy of Holies” section of the Beit Hamikdash) on the Temple Mount…

ISRAEL

What’s the Truth about . . . When an Eved Ivri Goes Free?

Fact: The date of an eved Ivri’s release is calculated on an individual basis, and thus they are not all released at one time.

JEWISH LAW

What’s the Truth about . . . “Walking Four Amot in the Land of Israel”?

In whatever manner one understands the saying about walking four amot in Israel, it is clear that Chazal placed great emphasis and value on the physical Land of Israel and…

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

What’s the Truth about . . . “A Land Flowing with Milk and Honey”?

Misconception: In the Biblical phrase, which praises the Land of Israel, “Eretz zavat chalav udevash, a land flowing with milk and honey,” the honey refers to bee’s honey, and the…