יום שלישי, כ״ט תמוז תשפ״וTuesday, July 14, 2026
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Rabbi Yaakov Klass is Rav of K’hal Bnei Matisyahu in Flatbush; Torah Editor of The Jewish Press; and Presidium Chairman, Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim.
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Kosher “Oxymoron” “The Divine Law Permits It With (Any Two) Of Four Simanim” (Chulin 75)
Question: I was taught that due to our mourning on Tisha B’Av, we are not allowed to learn or discuss Torah. Since Torah causes us joy, we are forbidden to lessen our mourning through its study. While I understand why we read Kinot and Eicha, how do we justify reading from the Torah at Shacharit and Mincha? A further question: Do these halachot apply to an individual during his or her seven days of mourning? H. Ellis Via E-mail
An Argument with Karaites “A Fetus that Partially Left the Womb” (Chulin 69a)
Question: Have any of the Gedolei Torah of the religious right been supportive of the Jewish State – Medinat Yisrael – even though it is not completely religious in nature and in fact governed as a secular state? Joseph Borkovich Via email
Genetically Engineered Simanim “A Bird with One Siman” (Chulin 62a)
Question: We see numerous instances in Scripture where a person’s name was changed. Notably in the recent parsha, Shelach, it says, “And Moses called Hoshea son of Nun, Joshua.” Some people are then always referred to by their new name, while others are not. A case in point is the way we refer to our Patriarchs in the daily Shemoneh Esrei. Why is that so? Abraham Goldman Jerusalem
Eternal and Immutable “Only Those Enumerated by the Sages” (Chulin 54a)
Question: Is the prohibition of living in the land of Egypt equally applicable to travel there as well? I know people who go there to see the pyramids. Zelig Aronson Via email
A Halachic Referral “It [the Lung] Erupted in Blisters” (Chulin 48a)
Question: Is it prohibited to place a siddur or some other sefer on top of a Chumash? Menachem Kooper Via email
Incubator Chicks: The Dispute “These Are the Living Things Which You May Eat” (Chulin 42a)
Question: Is it prohibited to place a siddur or some other sefer on top of a Chumash? Menachem Kooper Via email
The Jew as a Gentile’s “Kashrus Certificate” “We Do Not Give Innards to a Gentile” (Chullin 33a)
Question: Why do we take three steps back at the conclusion of the Amidah, and yet the chazzan is not required to do so when he concludes the Repetition of the Amidah – Chazarat HaShatz? Sam (Shnayur) Weiss Via email
The Siren’s Wail “If a Festival Falls on the Eve of the Sabbath…” (Chullin 26)
Question: was Ruth converted before a beth din? Did she formally convert before she married Mahlon, or did she convert only before her marriage to Boaz? In general, what is the earliest reference to a formal conversion process? Lazar Rozenblat Brooklyn, N.Y.
Meat from Heaven? “Only Young Ones Are Acceptable…” (Chullin 22a-b)
Question: Many people are accustomed to staying awake on Shavuot night and learn Torah. Is this recommended even at the expense of proper kavana during tefillah the next morning? Would it not be far better to get a good night’s rest and then learn with more fervor the next day? No name please Via e-mail
Aiding or Abetting? “However,…Due to Suspicion, We Check…” (Chulin 12a, Rashi)
Question:Is there a specific reason that the last chapter of Pirkei Avot is read on the Sabbath before Shavuot, or is this just a quirk of the calendar? Zvi Kirschner Via Email
A “Heated” Discussion “The Place of Shechita is Hot” (Chullin 8b)
Question:Is there a specific reason that the last chapter of Pirkei Avot is read on the Sabbath before Shavuot, or is this just a quirk of the calendar? Zvi Kirschner Via Email
Anticipating the Rebuilt Temple “One Who Engages in the Study of the Chattas…” (Menachos 110a)
Question:Is there a specific reason that the last chapter of Pirkei Avot is read on the Sabbath before Shavuot, or is this just a quirk of the calendar? Zvi Kirschner Via Email
What About the Blood? “They Were Not Really Babylonians…” (Menachos 100a)
Question:Is there a specific reason that the last chapter of Pirkei Avot is read on the Sabbath before Shavuot, or is this just a quirk of the calendar? Zvi Kirschner Via Email
A Matter of Inflation “Since It Is Baked, It Expands” (Menachos 94a)
Question: Why don’t we say “Al achilat matzah” when we eat matzah during the remainder of Passover? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, N.Y.
Nekudot in the Sefer Torah ‘Why Is There a Dot Over the Vav?’ (Menachos 87b)
Question: I have noticed that when we eat the matzah at the Seder, we recite the blessing of “HaMotzi lechem min ha’aretz,” followed by “Al achilat matzah.” Why don’t we say “Al achilat matzah” when we eat matzah during the remainder of Passover? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, N.Y.
A Matter Of Terminology “Oil Set Apart for One Mincha Is Invalid for Another” (Menachos 79b)
Question: I would like to know the minimal requirements of consumption and any possible leniencies or compensation for one who finds it difficult to eat matzah. Additionally, how absolute is the requirement not to eat anything after the afikoman? Menachem Via email
Hashem’s Holy Name “…That A Gentile May Bring Either Votive or Freewill Offerings…” (Menachos 73b)
Question: Is it permitted to ride a bicycle on the Sabbath or holidays in an area that has an eruv? No Name Please Via email
Shortchanged? “You Shall Count 50 Days” (Menachos 65b)
Question: Is it permitted to ride a bicycle on the Sabbath or holidays in an area that has an eruv? No Name Please Via email
Monies in a Pushka “Do Not Add Oil” (Menachos 59b)
Question: Is it permitted to ride a bicycle on the Sabbath or holidays in an area that has an eruv? No Name Please Via email
The Greater Reward “The Ketores…Since It Is Infrequent, It Is Most Dear” (Menachos 50a)
Question: To whom should one give matanot la’evyonim on Purim? Is there a minimal amount one is to give? Also, what about boys collecting for yeshivot or other institutions – may one discharge his obligation by giving to them? Menachem Via email
Something Borrowed, Something Blue “‘You Shall See It’ To Exclude A Nighttime Garment” (Menachos 43a)
Question: I am the gabbai in a large synagogue, where many people bring Divrei Torah handouts to distribute. As such, I am faced with disposing of the constantly growing accumulation of sheimot. How do I deal with these papers that include the names of Hashem in many substitute forms, mostly in English? No name please Via email
Is a Shortened Lulav Kosher? “Remnants of Tzitzis are Kosher” (Menachos 38b)
Question: I am the gabbai in a large synagogue, where many people bring Divrei Torah handouts to distribute. As such, I am faced with disposing of the constantly growing accumulation of sheimot. How do I deal with these papers that include the names of Hashem in many substitute forms, mostly in English? No name please Via email
A Sefer Torah That Fell “As Though Bitten by a Snake” (Menachos 32b)
Apples and Oranges “Two Menachos Were Mixed but the Handfuls Were Not Taken” (Menachos 23a)
Question: The Written Law is there plain to see as it’s found in the five Books of Moses. However, from whence does the Oral Law come? I’m not asking as one who doubts its veracity – rather, I would simply like to know and not just follow blindly. Mark Grosz Via E-mail
A Jew’s Altar “Or If He… Did Not Salt It…” (Menachos 18a)
Question: The Written Law is there plain to see as it is found in the five Books of Moses. However, from whence does the Oral Law come? I’m not asking as one who doubts its veracity – rather, I would just like to know and not simply follow blindly. Mark Grosz Via E-mail
Double Trouble? “Two Handfuls” (Menachos 11b)
Question: Seemingly the only place in our Torah where the matter of a birthday celebration is mentioned is regarding the birthday of Pharaoh. The only birthday celebration that we as Jews celebrate is a bar mitzvah – a young man’s 13th birthday. Is there greater significance to that day more than to any other? Yitzchak Gutman Via E-mail
Intrinsic, Danger, or Dilution? “From That Allowed to Jews” (Menachos 5a)
Question: Seemingly the only place in our Torah where the matter of a birthday celebration is mentioned is regarding the birthday of Pharaoh. The only birthday celebration that we as Jews celebrate is a bar mitzvah – a young man’s 13th birthday. Is there greater significance to that day more than to any other? Yitzchak Gutman Via Email
A Light Unto the Nations “The Sound Thereof Traveled from One End…To the Other…” (Zevachim 116a)
Question: Should the goblet used for havdalah be so filled that wine overflows? Additionally, is doing so not a violation of baal tashchit – deliberate wastefulness? George Nevens Via E-mail
To Him Shall You Hearken “One Who Offers Up Nowadays” (Zevachim 107b)
Question: Should the goblet used for Havdalah be so filled that wine overflows? Additionally, is doing so not a violation of baal tashchit – deliberate wastefulness? George Nevens Via E-mail
A Discussion in the Privy “Rav Quotes Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon” (Zevachim 102b)
Question: If the concern is that hostile gentiles might persecute us, isn’t there the same worry if the menorah is placed indoors? After all, the candles will likely be seen through the window... How would one light in such a circumstance? Menachem Via E-mail
A Saline Solution “Its Soaking Is Its Laundering” (Zevachim 94b)
Question: I am contemplating traveling to Israel. My flight will take place during Chanukah, which means that I may miss one night’s candle-lighting. What are my options? Yaakov J. Via E-mail
Even Eruv Tavshilin! “One Might Have Thought That We Remove the Tendons…” (Zevachim 86a)
Question: I am contemplating traveling to Israel. My flight will take place during Chanukah, which means that I may miss one night’s candle lighting. What are my options? Yaakov J. Via E-mail
A Matter Of Doubt “When You Make [Four] Applications [Of Blood], You Transgress…” (Zevachim 80a)
Question: Did we have a siddur and a holiday machzor before Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press? Is it possible to give a historical perspective on our prayers as found in the siddur and the machzor? Jerry Gross (Via E-Mail)
A Light Mix-up “Anything That Is Counted…” (Zevachim 73a)
Question: Did we have a siddur and a holiday machzor before Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press? Is it possible to give a historical perspective on our prayers as found in the siddur and the machzor? Jerry Gross Via E-Mail
July 10, 2026 
