The Jewish Press

6 days ago | jewishpress.com | Yaakov Klass

Question: I have been puzzled by the fact that we do not recite the Shehecheyanu blessing when we start the counting of Omer (Sefirat HaOmer). What is the reason? M. SchwartzVia E-mailSynopsis: Last week we discussed the concept of the requirement to recite blessings, starting with the Biblical commandment to give thanks for the food that we have eaten and the land G-d has bestowed upon us (Deuteronomy 8:10), as explained by Rambam in Hilchot Berachot (chap.

6 days ago | jewishpress.com | Yaakov Klass

Entitlements‘Not Returned To His Former Prominence’(Makkos 12a)The Mishna and the Gemara on our daf cite a dispute between R. Meir and R. Yehuda regarding a rotze’ach (specifically one who killed another unintentionally and has to flee to one of the cities of refuge) as to whether such an individual is returned to his former position of prominence when he finally returns home upon the death of the Kohen Gadol. R. Meir’s view is that he is restored to his previous position; R.

1 week ago | jewishpress.com | Alan Zeitlin

While former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has a sizeable lead in a recent poll of Democrat mayoral candidates for New York City, one who has claimed that Israel has committed a genocide is running second and has done well in fundraising. Zohran Mamdani posted on X: “I will always be clear in my language and based in facts: Israel is committing a genocide.”In the Honan Strategy Group poll, Mamdani was second, rising six points to 18%, while Cuomo led with 41%.

1 week ago | jewishpress.com | Yaakov Klass

New York CityCANDLE LIGHTING TIMEApril 18, 2025 – 20 Nissan 57857:20 p.m. NYC E.D.T.Sabbath Ends: 8:23 p.m. NYC E.D.T.Sabbath Ends Rabbenu Tam: 8:52 p.m. NYC E.D.T.Weekly Reading: Pesach Festival (see below)Weekly Haftara: Pesach Festival (see below)Daf Yomi: Makos 10Mishna Yomit: Eduyos 8:7 – Avodah Zarah 1:1Halacha Yomit: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 3:1-3Rambam Yomi: Hilchos Eruvin chap.

1 week ago | jewishpress.com | Doug Goldstein

Picture this: You check your brokerage account and your portfolio has soared. You feel like a financial genius—until tax season rolls around, and your accountant delivers the bad news: you owe way more in taxes than you expected. If you’re an American living in Israel with U.S. brokerage or IRA accounts, you already know that managing cross-border finances isn’t always straightforward. What you see in your investment account isn’t necessarily what you keep.