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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), a 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?

Review of The Great Z'manim Debate

Sukkah Sleeping: Exemptions or Excuses

Wed, March 11 2026 22 Adar 5786