In Levush HaAron (pages 89-92) the question is brought up: “How can the chemical test of Chazal differentiate between תכלת and קלא אילן?” It answers: “… The indirubin that is present in plant indigo is known to make vat dyes…
H/T Rabbi Mordechai Honig for finding this 15th century Ksav Yad on Rashi for Bechoros 38a. Our modern editions have “Chilazon” as “Limon” (almost like a lemon). Apparently this was a misprint, aaaaaand….. it’s yet another reference to Limetz/Limace (snail)!…
A few weeks ago I ran some dyeing experiments to test: a) if dyeing murex trunculus wool at night will produce blue, b) if it’s purple, if heat will turn it blue without UV rays from sunlight (as Ptil Tekhelet…
In case one was wondering if a Rishon was explicit in what Techeiles and the source is, to me the most blatant one is the Raavya (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliezer_ben_Joel_HaLevi) to explain Brachos 1 Halacha 2 in the Talmud Yerushalmi . While more…
Among the Techeiles community, it’s well known that Rabbi Chaim Yisroel Belsky ZT”L wore Techeiles but didn’t actively tell people they needed to wear it. What many people don’t know was his journey to arrive to the conclusion that murex…
From http://onthemainline.blogspot.com/2011/02/unknown-portrait-of-vilna-gaon.html: ” This is from page 2 of the Camden News of Camden, Arkansas Saturday, May 15, 1937. Since someone is going to joke that the Vilna Gaon is not wearing a yarmulke, but the Cardinal is – well, I…
Originally from Baltimore Jewish Life. By BaltimoreJewishLife.com/Rabbi Elchonon Oberstein Rabbi Yosef Tendler is the Menahel (Principal) of Ner Israel’s High School and has had an impact on thousands of talmidim. The following is his story, told in his words…
This is why strict supervision is a must. Without checks and balances, anything goes. Also see 28 Desserts that Rely on a Shocking Ingredient: Bacon: Butterscotch Pie with Walnut-Bacon Toffee This recipe started as an experiment in making bacon…
This is why strict supervision is a must. Without checks and balances, anything goes. Video: Food you would never eat, if you knew what it was made of Food You would Never Eat if You Knew what it was made…
Video series: Bugs in Salad that we eat without Checking Excerpted from “Me, the Office Rabbi:” https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Me-the-Office-Rabbi.html The Non-Kosher Restaurant My resolve to keep my religious beliefs private is tested one day when I’m invited out to lunch…