Why We Mourn on Tisha B’Av

Naftali Silberberg – Chabad.org

The fast of Tisha b’Av, the saddest date on the Jewish calendar, is the day which saw the destruction of both Holy Temples, as well as many other tragic events throughout our nation’s tear-soaked galut (exile). A mournful mood is carefully created. We read Jeremiah’s Book of Lamentations and a lengthy collection of elegies which vividly describe all these tragedies, and throughout the day we follow many mourning practices.

Live feed from the Kotel in the Extended Article!

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Home, not House of Worship

The Forcaster

Rabbi Moshe Wilansky outside his home at 101 Craigie St., where the city wants him to stop conducting Sabbath worship services.

PORTLAND, ME -– An ultra-Orthodox Jewish leader has been ordered by the city to stop conducting religious services in his Craigie Street home, prompting the Maine Civil Liberties Union to question whether officials are trying to quash religious freedom.

The issue is set to go before the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals on Aug. 21.

Mazal Tov! – Its A Boy!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Boruch and Naomi (nee Isaac-Saul) Greenberg (Crown Heights) on the birth of their son.

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to his parents, grandparents, relatives and Klal Yisroel.


Photo Gallery: Eicha in 770

As Shabbos ended hundreds flocked to 770 partaking in custom of reading Megilas Eicha on Tishah B’Av. The Laining was done by Rabbi Michel Slavin following that a Siyum was held.

More pictures in the Extended Article! (photos by: Meir Elfasi – Shturem.net)

Mazal Tov! – Its A Girl!

We would like to wish Mazal Tov to Chaim and Dina (nee Junik) Lieberman (Fort Lauderdale, FL) on the birth of their daughter

May the newborn be a source of Nachas to her parents, grandparents, relatives and Klal Yisroel.

Police Department Unveils Text Tip Line

The NY Sun

NEW YORK, NY — In an effort to involve younger citizens, the New York City Police Department unveiled a way to send in tips via text message.

Texting CRIMES, or 274637, on a cell phone, will begin a text conversation with detectives who will be standing by at the police department. To begin, users must precede their message with the code, “TIP577,” which will then create an alias to ensure anonymity. In case of danger, police said, a user can conclude a message with the word “stop,” which will keep him or her from receiving any further messages from the police.

Chabad to receive $325,750 in lawsuit against city

South Florida Sun-Sentinel Editorial Board

In the fall of 2005, Rabbi Shmuel Posner tried to open Chabad of Nova outreach center at 8608 Griffin Rd. at Timberlake Plaza. But Cooper City wouldn’t permit it, saying places of worship are not allowed in commercial areas.

COOPER CITY, FL — Anyone else?

Cities should not use zoning rules to discriminate against houses of worship. If they do, they will get sued, and lose. Now two Broward cities have learned this, the hard way.

Video of the Day! – Hoshanah Rabbah 5744

Hoshanah Rabbah 5744, September 28, 1983. After Maariv the Rebbe turns to address the crowd. More than just a Sicha, the Rebbe launches into an impassioned plea: Why the Golus? The Rebbe’s voice is broken with emotion. The Almighty can surely find a way to give us all of the benefits of Golus without the Golus. The crowd is silent, stunned, every eye is moved to tears. How can Hashem ignore such a plea!

Living Torah, Program 205, scheduled to be viewed the world over this coming Motzaei Shabbos and Sunday of Tisha B’Av, is geared at one goal: Joining with the Rebbe in turning the potential of this day into a universal plea for the Redemption.