Yehuda Shurpin

6 days ago | chabad.org | Yehuda Shurpin

Although the most popular way to depict the Luchot (Tablets) is with rounded tops, there is actually no authentic source in Jewish tradition for this. The main source for this erroneous image seems to come from Christian art during the Renaissance, with some depictions dating even earlier. To be sure, one can also find old Jewish books and manuscripts with illustrated title pages that have the Luchot depicted with rounded tops.

1 week ago | chabad.org | Yehuda Shurpin

One of the more common—and surprisingly complex—questions people ask is: What brachah do you make on pizza? Is it Mezonot, like cake or crackers, or Hamotzi, like regular bread? As with many halachic questions, the answer depends not only on the ingredients, but also on how and why the food is being eaten. Let’s take a closer look. Bread or Not Bread? To understand the blessing on pizza, we first need to understand a halachic category known as pat haba b’kisnin.

2 weeks ago | chabad.org | Yehuda Shurpin

Throughout history, Jews have been called the “People of the Book” (or “Am HaSefer”) by both Jews and non-Jews. The simple and most obvious reason for this is the strong and eternal bond between the Jews (the people) and the Torah (the book), which includes both the written and oral traditions, and all of the works that expound upon them. Indeed, Jews are constantly studying or lecturing on various Torah texts.

3 weeks ago | chabad.org | Yehuda Altein |Menachem Posner |Yehuda Shurpin |Tzvi Freeman

13 Facts About the Jews of GibraltarBy Yehuda AlteinGibraltar’s Jews are known for their widespread observance of Jewish law, maintaining strong traditions amid broader assimilation. Infinite Light Made SimpleBy Tzvi FreemanHow could there be light before there is anything at all? What would it illuminate, if nothing yet exists? Where would it radiate, if space is yet to be invented? What is its frequency, considering that time has yet to begin?

3 weeks ago | chabad.org | Yehuda Shurpin

Hi Rabbi, I know this may sound strange, but the internet has been locked in a fiery debate for years over one of the most pressing culinary questions of our time: Is a hot dog a sandwich? The sandwich camp points to its basic structure—meat nestled between bread—which meets the broad definition of a sandwich.