יום ראשון, ג׳ אלול תשפ״וSunday, August 16, 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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An Essential Agent ‘Set In The Skin Of The Rennet Of Nevelah’ (Avoda Zara 35a)
Question: I’ve noticed in shul that at the conclusion of Shemoneh Esreh some people take three steps back but do not take three steps forward. Is this practice acceptable? Zelig Aronson
Exchanging Land? ‘Nor Shall You Show Them Favor’ (Avodah Zarah 20a)
Question: At work, people sometimes argue that the Torah doesn’t regard women highly, only mentioning them in passing, almost begrudgingly at times. They cite, for example, the Torah’s treatment of Serach bat Asher and Yocheved bat Levi. I would appreciate very much if you could provide me with “ammunition” to refute them. Mrs. C. Grosz
Question: Why do we cover the challah when we make Kiddush? Why don’t we cover any other foods on the table? Zelig Aronson
To Have Or To Hold ‘Renting Is Not Owning’ (Avodah Zara 15a)
Don’t Tread On Me ‘If One Consulted A Sage, He May Not Consult Another’ (Avodah Zarah 7a)
Question: In the course of my travels, I have discovered that some chazzanim say “Ga’al Yisrael” right before Shemoneh Esreh aloud while others say it with their voices fading. Is one practice correct and the other incorrect? M. Goldman
Question: In the course of my travels, I have discovered that some chazzanim say “Ga’al Yisrael” right before Shemoneh Esreh aloud while others say it with their voices fading. Is one practice correct and the other incorrect? M. Goldman
Was She Really Married? ‘One Said Two… The Other Said Three…’ (Shevuos 48a)
A Talmidah Chachamah ‘If He Is A Scholar, He Is Not Sworn’ (Shevuos 41a)
Question: In the course of my travels, I have discovered that some chazzanim say “ga’al Yisrael” right before Shemoneh Esreh aloud while others say it with their voices fading. Is one practice correct and the other incorrect? M. Goldman
The First And The Final ‘Aleph Lamed Chol, Yud Keh Kodesh’ (Shavuos 35b)
Question: In the course of my travels, I have discovered that some chazzanim say “ga’al Yisrael” right before Shemoneh Esreh aloud while others say it with their voices fading. Is one practice correct and the other incorrect? M. Goldman
Posthaste ‘And He Simply Said: Bread’ (Shavuos 26b)
Question: If the Patriarchs kept the entire Torah before it was given on Mount Sinai, how could Jacob have married two sisters? S. Friedman
K’vod Ha’brios ‘Excluding Where He Was Preoccupied’ (Shavuos 18b-19a)
Question: We are taught that the Patriarchs kept the entire Torah even before it was given to the Jewish nation on Mount Sinai. If so, why do our Sages say that Abraham was the originator of Shacharit, Isaac was the originator of Minchah, and Jacob was the originator of Maariv? That seems incongruous given the fact that the Patriarchs kept the entire Torah. S. Friedman
Question: Sefer Chareidim (ch. 67) cites a Midrash that Eliyahu once testified that a certain kohen who begged G-d for righteous sons merited to see all of them serve as high priests, and none of them died during his lifetime. Where exactly is this Midrash? Nathan
Siddurim On A Bimah ‘The Heart Of Beis Din Provides For It’ (Shavuos 11a)
Question: Sefer Chareidim (ch. 67) cites a Midrash that Eliyahu once testified that a certain kohen who begged G-d for righteous sons merited to see all of them serve as high priests, and none of them died during his lifetime. Where exactly is this Midrash? Nathan
Leprosy? ‘Any Kohen Who Is Not An Expert…’ (Shavuos 6a)
A Threat To Life And Limb ‘How Many Lashes Are Given Him?’ (Makkos 22a-b)
Question: Sefer Chareidim (ch. 67) cites a Midrash that Eliyahu once testified that a certain kohen who begged G-d for righteous sons merited to see all of them serve as high priests, and none of them died during his lifetime. Where exactly is this Midrash? Nathan
Question: Sefer Chareidim (ch. 67) cites a Midrash that Eliyahu once testified that a certain kohen who begged G-d for righteous sons merited to see all of them serve as high priests, and none of them died during his lifetime. Where exactly is this Midrash? Nathan
Entitlements ‘Not Returned To His Former Prominence’ (Makkos 12a)
Question: My husband and I are frequent Shabbos guests at our children’s homes nearby. Where should I light Shabbos candles – in my home or theirs? Name Withheld
The Red Sea’s Argument ‘Relatives Of A Guarantor’ (Makos 7a)
Question: My husband and I are frequent Shabbos guests at our children’s homes nearby. Where should I light Shabbos candles – in my home or theirs? Name Withheld
Without Warning ‘But You Were With Us…’ (Makkos 2a)
Is Silence Golden ? ‘Iyov, Who Was Silent …’ (Sanhedrin 106a)
Question: Why do we find crownlets in the Torah on the letters shin, ayin, tet, nun, zayin, gimmel, and tzaddi? And why only these letters? Avrohom Gruenberg
Question: Why do we find crownlets in the Torah on the letters shin, ayin, tet, nun, zayin, gimmel, and tzaddi? And why only these letters? Avrohom Gruenberg
As We Come Closer And Closer ‘… Like The Face Of A Dog’ (Sanhedrin 97a)
Question: A while back I wronged someone. When I realized my error and the pain it caused, I made restitution and also offered a sincere apology. While the restitution was accepted, the party still continues to bear a grudge even though I have made repeated entreaties to him. I am sure that if the situation were reversed, the individual would expect me to forgive him. Is it possible for you to discuss the concept of “loving your fellow man as yourself”? I am sure it will be helpful to me and many other readers. M.G. Miami Beach, FL
The Greatest Reward Of Public Service ‘…[He] Who Leads The Public Gently …’ (Sanhedrin 92a)
Watch What You Pray For ‘Acts Befitting Your People’ (Sanhedrin 85a)
Question: Why does the chazzan recite shehecheyanu on Yom Kippur night? Elimelech Feldman (Via E-Mail)
Question: Why does the chazzan reciting Shehecheyanu on Yom Kippur night? Elimelech Feldman (Via E-Mail)
One’s Life Partner ‘The Only Poor In Israel Is The Subtly Wicked’ (Sanhedrin 76a)
Withholding The Rod ‘A Rebellious Son Never Existed And Never Will’ (Sanhedrin 71a)
Question: According to Chazal, it would seem that women have no simcha obligation on Yom Tov other than to purchase new garments. Is that, in fact, the case? M. Schwartz
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
Start Of The Yeshiva Semester ‘Today Is Propitious…’ (Sanhedrin 65b – 66a)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
Global Shabbos – Everywhere Simultaneously Departing After Shabbos, Arriving On Shabbos (Sanhedrin 58b)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
A Future Investment ‘ A Halacha For The Days Of Moshiach’ (Sanhedrin 51b)
A Wedding Dance ‘ It Should Be Said While Standing…’ (Sanhedrin 42a)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
D’tzach, Adash, B’Achav ‘Everyone Is Qualified To Judge’ (Sanhedrin 36b)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
A Parrot Or A Lie Detector? ‘We Admonish The Witnesses’ (Sanhedrin 29a)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
Maintaining A Library ‘He Shall Write A Sefer Torah’ (Sanhedrin 21b)
Awaiting Elijah ‘Semicha… Is Performed By Three’ (Sanhedrin 13b)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
The Longest Mesechta? ‘We Shall Return To You…’ (Bava Basra 176b)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
A Shidduch Solution ‘Known In A Town For 30 Days…’ +---------------- (Bava Basra 167b)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
Rash And Impulsive ‘A Place Inhabited By Many Kohanim …’ (Bava Basra 160b)
Question: When reciting a berachah in English, does a person fulfill his obligation if he says “Hashem” instead of “L-rd” or “G-d”? Yosef
Crossing The Divide ‘Then The Two Men Shall Stand…’ (Bava Basra 155b)
August 14, 2026 
