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Rabbi

Rabbi

Rabbi Yaakov Hoffman grew up in Bethesda, MD. He attended Rav Ilson's Yeshiva (Derech Hatalmud) in Jerusalem and subsequently received a BA in Jewish Studies and Semitic Languages from Yeshiva University. He received ordination Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He is married to Giti (née Klinger), an associate director at KPMG.

Rabbi Hoffman works as a Rabbinic Coordinator for OU Kosher and associate editor of OU Press, and is also a practicing Sofer.

Recordings of his classes are posted here, and links to his published articles can be found below.

Rabbi Hoffman can be reached at rabbi@bridgeshul.com.

Publications

Is Parchment Klaf? The Halakhic Status of Contemporary STaM

Crocs or Socks? A Halachic Analysis of Yom Kippur Footwear

When is Shabbat Over?

Kiddush and Havdalah: Should One Sit or Stand?

Chanukah Scheduling Conflicts: The Time Frame for Lighting the Menorah

Reconsidering the Sheitel

Are Sheitels Better? A Response

Should You Light Shabbat Candles When Invited Out?

How Late May One Eat the Purim Seudah?

Hallel in Shul on Seder Night: Is Less More?

The Four Cups: Moscato or Merlot?

May an Ashkenazi Eat at a Sefardi's Home on Pesach?

An All-Dairy Shavuot: Preferred or Prohibited?

Early Shabbat Services: Plag or 7:00?

Showering During the Nine Days

Washing Before Kiddush: Just for Yekkes?

Jewelry on Shabbat: Pretty or Prohibited?

What Time Should Rosh Hashanah Services Conclude?

Mourner's Kaddish: Quality or Quantity?

May a Guest Use Non-Toveled Utensils?

Kabbalat Shabbat After Sunset: Sublime or Superfluous?

Drinking in Moderation: On Purim and Beyond

Yes, the Talmud Does Suggest Drinking on Purim

Can One Take In Shavuot Early?

When Should You Do Tashlich This Year?

Canvas Sukkah: Practical or Pasul?

May One Daven Maariv Early on Motzaei Shabbat?

How Early Must One Eat Shabbat Lunch?

Covering the Challah: Why and When?

How Early Can One Read the Megillah at Night?

Dueling Seduot: Purim vs. Shabbat

'Shmurah Matzah": For the Seder or all of Pesach

Shabbat Erev Pesach: Two Meals or Three?

Yom Tov Candles: Obligation or Violation?

The "Minor" Fasts": Obligatory or Optional

Should You Eat Garlic on Friday Night?

The Contemporary Metropolis: Reshut HaRabbim?

Should You Sell Your Chametz?

An Early Second Night of Shavuot?

Sat, June 21 2025 25 Sivan 5785