Rabbi Baruch Efrati

Laws for Yom Kippur 5784

Summary of the laws that pertain to the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year.

Laws for Yom Kippur 5783

Summary of the laws that pertain to the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year

Laws for Rosh Hashannah 5783 (2022)

A primer for observing the New Year holiday which begins Sunday eve. May it be the harbinger of good things for Israel and the world.

Halakhot for when the 9th of Av falls on Shabbat - 5782

We do not fast on Shabbat (except for Yom Kippur).This year the 9th of Av is on Shabbat, so we fast Sat. night and Sunday. A primer.

Should the blessing for kings be said upon seeing Pres.Biden?

The reasons the traiditional blessing said upon seeing a monarch should or should not be said when seeing the POTUS on his visit to Israel.

Laws for Shavuot 2022, which begins at the close of the Sabbath

The special laws when Shavuot begins Saaturday night .

When the Seder is on Friday night

How to manage a Seder on Shabbat - and a primer for the holiday.

On the shockingly skewed LGBT survey sent to Efrat residents

Those with same-sex inclinations are loved as are all Jews, but this survey is a grave breach from the view of halakha and Jewish ethics.

Laws of Purim Demukafin (in walled cities) that falls on Friday

Laws pertaining to Purim Demukafin (Purim in walled cities) that, like this year, is on a Friday: For Sephardim and Ashkenazim.

Rabbi: How should we relate to people in Ukraine's war zone?

As Torah-true Jews, should we ignore it or pray for those in the war zone, feel vindicated because of their history, or actively help them?

Doritos have no home in the Jewish family

Pagan values, vaunted publicly, have made a comeback in Western culture, harming the Godly Jewish family, Doritos' ad is a blatant example..

Chossing the path of faith and positivity

An illuminating talk on choosing one's way of life with Rabbi Baruch Efrati, head of the Derech Emunah organization of young Israeli rabbis.

Can ancient Jewish graves be moved to settle the Land of Israel?

When excavations for building in Eretz Yisrael reveal ancient Jewish burial areas, what is the permitted course of action?

Does medicinal cannabis have "kedushat shviit"?

Is cannabis considered a spice and does it have the status of cattle fodder - for shmitta purposes?

Laws for Yom Kippur 5782 during the covid pandemic

Summary of the laws that pertain to the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year with additions in light of the covid pandemic.

Rabbi okays COVID testing on Sabbath, holidays

In halachic ruling, rabbi says it is permissible to use rapid home antigen COVID tests during the Sabbath and holidays.

Laws for Rosh Hashannah 5782 (2021) - with corona issues

A primer for observing the year's New Year holiday Monday - Wednesday. May it be the harbinger of good things for Israel and the world..

When a child goes off the 'derech'

A mother writes: "My children's abandoning mitzva observance is eating me up inside. How do I get through this? What should I do, rabbi?"

How to avoid tension at the Seder

Advice for parents worried about convincing children to take part in halakhically mandated parts of the Seder.

Laws for Purim that falls on a Friday- Ashkenazim and Sepharadim

When Purim falls on a Friday, the celebration entails details explained below - in Jerusalem and specific cities, it lasts for three days!

May we recite a blessing for Jonathan Pollard's homecoming?

Blessings include G-d's Name and therefore one cannot just recite them at will Does halakha allow blessing on this occasion? If so, which?

Laws for the Fast of the 10th of Tevet that falls on Friday

The Tenth of Tevet that falls on a Friday means managing Shabbat preparations, services and fasting until Friday night Kiddush.

Laws for Yom Kippur 5781 during the covid pandemic

Summary of the laws that pertain to the holiest and most solemn day of the Jewish year with additions in light of the covid pandemic.

Laws for Rosh Hashannah 5781 - Note: Zoom forbidden on holiday

A primer of halakhot for Rosh Hashannah 5781- when the first day falls on Shabbat - and when corona rules must be followed.

Laws of Tisha B'Av 2020

Includes halakhic parameters for fasting during the corona pandemic and for when the 9th of Av fast ends on Erev Shabbat.

No to the Reform Movement, yes to love for every Jew

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed's meeting with a Reform "Rabba" elicited critical responses from many of Israel's Zionist rabbis, such as this one.

Beloved land, we will not betray you

There are things that are simply not abrogated at any price: Torah, loyalty, love, one's spouse, famly, and Eretz Yisrael.

Rabbis and politicians

There is nothing gained when a rabbi chooses politics or politicians interfere in Torah matters - in fact, there is much to lose. Op-ed.

Connecting agriculture and history in the Land of Israel

Are the three pilgrimage festivals agriculturally or historically based? The answer lies in the connection between the two.

13 Principles regarding gender disorientation groups

Vulgar style and silencing dissenting opinions show more than anything else their spiritual inferiority.

Rabbis to Netanyahu: Protect the honor of Shabbat

Dozens of rabbis sign petition asking PM Netanyahu to protect sanctity of Shabbat.

May a kosher-deluxe lulav from Gaza be used as first choice?

20,000 lulavs transferred from Gaza for sale in Israeli market. Does selling them encourage normal trade or support terror?