Chanting the Psalms Properly

Concerning the Pronunciation of Vav

Because we were on the topic, I wanted to share two more points about the pronunciation of the letter vav. The reasons for pronouncing the vav like a W and not like a V are numerous, and therefore do not need to be rehashed here, but only listed: 1. Positive living traditions that distinguish between vav … Continue reading →

Guide to the Vowelization of the Prefix-Vav

In Hebrew, the prefix-vav serves a number of purposes, and is nearly ubiquitous in Biblical Hebrew. Its specific vowelization varies greatly, so for the benefit of our wider readership, I have compiled this handy guide. Before beginning, I would like to restate that I am convinced that the vav should never be pronounced like a … Continue reading →

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CONCERNING ATHEI MERAHIQ, NASOG AHOR, AND THE RAVIA MUGRASH, AND MORE

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Q&A: Jewish Names

Question: The other day, I heard a lecture about how parents are not allowed to give children non-Jewish names. What’s that all about? Answer: I am hard-pressed to find a definition of such a thing. What makes a name particularly Jewish or not? Question: Perhaps a name that is not Hebrew or not in the … Continue reading →

Further Insights on Cantillation

In the three books of Emeth, there are many verses that conclude with a series of connected words, whereas in the other books, such a series would demand a number of mafsiqim preceding the end of the verse. However with regards to the beginnings of verses, the opposite is true, when we deal with unusually … Continue reading →

What Belongs in Your Siddur: a Dagesh or a Comma?

Recently, I was privileged to be part of a fun yet esoteric discussion on matters of Hebrew grammar. First some background: there is a grammatical phenomenon in Biblical Hebrew known as “nasog ahor,” literally, “stepped back.” In certain words that are accented on the last syllable but have an earlier syllable that is open, then … Continue reading →

Another Modern-Day Purim Tragedy

Continuing with the idea of the relevance of Rupture and Reconstruction 20 years later, some years ago I wrote about this, which discusses phenomena symptomatic of our modern proclivities to monstrous stringency. Every year has its novelty. The incidental differences in halachic practice that developed in the Diaspora were inevitable; the question before us today … Continue reading →

Parashath Zachor and the Six Remembrances in Halachic Context

This brings us to the issue of the Shesh Z’chiroth, the Six Remembrances, printed in many siddurim after the daily morning prayers. According to Artscroll, “The Torah commands that six events be remembered always. Consequently, some authorities maintain that the verses containing these commandments should be recited daily.” The OU’s website says this (twice, for … Continue reading →