יום רביעי, י״ז חשוון תשפ״זWednesday, October 28, 2026
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Rabbi Yaakov Klass, rav of Congregation K’hal Bnei Matisyahu in Flatbush, Brooklyn, is chairman of the presidium of the Rabbinical Alliance of America and Torah Editor of The Jewish Press. He can be contacted at yklass@jewishpress.com or Rabbi@igud.us.
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Ensnarement and Atonement: ‘The Only Proper Guarding of Coins Is in the Ground’ (Bava Metzia 42a)
Question: I would like to know why there are four special readings of the Torah during the period between Purim and Pesach. Also, why do we call each of those four Shabbatot by a special name, such as Shabbat Shekalim, Shabbat Zachor, etc., which we don't do otherwise? Celia Gluck Via Email
The Difficult Choice ‘His Father’s Lost Object and his Rebbi’s Lost Object…’ (Bava Metzia 33a)
Question I would like to know why there are four special readings of the Torah during the period between Purim and Pesach. Also, why do we call each of those four Shabbatot by a special name, such as Shabbat Shekalim, Shabbat Zachor, etc., which we don't do otherwise? Celia Gluck Via E-mail
The Majority Rule “If The Majority Are Israelites…” (Bava Metzia 24a-b)
Why does the Jewish leap year always consist of two Adars? Why specifically Adar? Menachem via email
Stop, Thief ‘Are Identifying Marks Biblical or Rabbinic’ (Bava Metzia 18b)
Why does the Jewish leap year always consist of two Adars? Why specifically Adar? Menachem Via Email
The ‘False’ Rumor “If One Found Notes of Acquisition” (Bava Metzia 14a
The Split “…If There Are Witnesses They Divide Without an Oath” (Bava Metzia 2a)
Question: Why does the Jewish leap year always consist of two Adars? And why specifically Adar? Menachem Via email
His Silence Is Deafening ‘One Seized it in Our Presence’ (Bava Metzia 6a)
Question: Why does the Jewish leap year always consist of two Adars? And why specifically Adar? Menachem Via email
New York CityCANDLE LIGHTING TIMEFebruary 23, 2024 – 14 Adar I, 57845:21 p.m. NYC E.S.T. Sabbath Ends: 6:22 p.m. NYC E.S.T.Sabbath Ends: Rabbenu Tam 6:53 p.m. NYC E.S.T.Weekly Reading: TetzavehWeekly Haftara: Ata Ben Adam (Ezekiel 43:10-27)Daf Yomi: Bava Kama 113Mishna Yomit: Nedarim 2:2-3Halacha Yomit: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 575:3-5Rambam Yomi: Hilchos To’en v’’Nit’an chap. […]
The Burdensome Beast ‘He Put His Donkey on the Ferryboat’ (Bava Kamma 117b)
Question: Please see my personal situation. If you have time to answer that would be great. I am seriously dating a girl who has a similar name to my mother. Would this present a problem? Name Withheld Via email
The Messenger Or The Message? ‘How Do We View This Agent?’ (Bava Kamma 104a)
Question: Is there a special prayer or specific role for prayer when the totality of the Jewish people is in danger?
Possession Is 100 Percent Of The Law ‘Stolen Chametz Became Forbidden Due to the Intervening Passover’ (Bava Kamma 96b)
Question: When approaching the mitzvah of Kiddush Levana, should priority be granted to performing the mitzvah at the earliest time – Zerizin u’makdimin l’mitzvot – or to such time as the most people would be available to join in together – B’rov Am hadrat Melech? Michael Katz Via Email
The Lost Or Relinquished Kesubah ‘A Couple May Not Live Even One Moment Without a Kesubah’ (Bava Kamma 89a)
While my uncle at times remarked that my writing style differed from his, he nevertheless would also note that the Torah has 70 facets (Zohar, Bereishit 47a) and is thus a vast resource for countless opinions.
A Dog’s Life ‘Raising Dogs Is Like Raising Pigs’ (Bava Kamma 83a)
Question: Tu B’Shevat is soon upon us. I am intrigued by the fact that Tu B’Shevat, also known as the New Year for Trees, is in the middle of the month and not at the beginning of a month as all the other New Years. Even the gentiles begin their New Year at the start of a month. Do you have an explanation for this? Pesach Bernstein Via Email
Unkosher Tefillin From A Kosher Animal! ‘Shechita Does Not Permit the Meat’ (Bava Kamma 76b)
Question: How has it been that in such a world where we are but a very small minority, and after so many generations though the world keeps changing, yet the Jew remains and is the same constant whipping boy? What is the miracle of our survival? Gedalia Estra Via Email
Suffer The Thief ‘One Stole And Another Stole It From Him …’ (Bava Kamma 68a)
Question: Is it proper to look at tzitzit and kiss them during the recitation of the Keriat Shema? M. Stern Via email
A Tale Of Two Cities ‘… The Destructive Force Does Not Distinguish Between the Good and the Evil’ (Bava Kamma 60a)
Question: Is it proper to look at tzitzit and kiss them during the recitation of the Keriat Shema? M. Stern Via email
Who Permitted Eating Turkey? ‘Geese And Wild Geese Are Forbidden Together’ (Bava Kamma 55a)
Question: Should we be reciting the prayer for the welfare of the government? Is it a hefsek during the tefillah, or is it important during wartime? Martin Kahn Via email
Staying Alive Underwater ‘She Has Already Ascended’ (Bava Kamma 50a)
Question: My husband and I are Ashkenazi, yet my children go to school with Sefardim. My son came home and said that only my husband is to light the Chanukah candles. In my parent’s home, we all lit our own candles on Chanukah to celebrate the great miracle that saved our people for all future generations. Who is correct? Name Withheld Via E-Mail
Honoring A Father’s Wishes ‘ He shall give it to whom he has trespassed.’ (Bava Kamma 40b)
Question: My husband and I are Ashkenazi, yet my children go to school with Sefardim. My son came home and said that only my husband is to light the Chanukah candles. In my parent’s home, we all lit our own candles on Chanukah to celebrate the great miracle that saved our people for all future generations. Who is correct? Name Withheld Via E-Mail
A Matter Of Anticipation ‘A Stone Flew From His Hand, And Another Put Out His Head from A Window …’ (Bava Kamma 33a)
Question: I read your Q&A column, “Kaddish Elevates,” with great interest. However, I feel that there is something you left out: the appropriate phrases or pauses where we are to respond “Amen.” I have not seen why we don’t answer “Amen” after the phrase in Kaddish – Be’alma di’vera chir’utei – In the world He created according to His will.” Is this not one of the greatest praises – that Hashem gave us a world with such benefit that we at times don't understand that benefit. Are we not to acknowledge Hashem's greatness at all times irrespective of outcome? Menachem Via e-mail
New York CityCANDLE LIGHTING TIMEDecember 1, 2023 – 18 Kislev 57844:11 p.m. NYC E.S.T. Sabbath Ends: 5:14 p.m. NYC E.S.T.Sabbath Ends Rabbenu Tam: 5:42 p.m. E.S.T.Weekly Reading: VaYishlachWeekly Haftara: Chazon Ovadiah (Obadiah 1:1-21)Daf Yomi: Bava Kama 29Mishna Yomit: Yevamos 11:1-2Halacha Yomit: Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chayyim 537:4-6Rambam Yomi: Hilchos She’ar Avos ha’Tum’ah chap. 18-20Earliest time […]
Taking The Law Into One’s Own Hands ‘Break His Teeth And Tell Him I Am Taking Mine’ (Bava Kamma 27b)
Question: Now that we have begun the new cycle of the Torah reading, I read in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that one is to say a blessing upon seeing a rainbow but that it is forbidden to gaze upon it excessively. Is this not such a beautiful phenomenon? Why should there be any prohibition connected with it? Zelig Aronson Via Email
Is It Trespass? ‘Reuven Didn't Benefit and Shimon Didn't Lose’ (Bava Kamma 20a)
Question: Now that we have begun the new cycle of the Torah reading, I read in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that one is to say a blessing upon seeing a rainbow but that it is forbidden to gaze upon it excessively. Is this not such a beautiful phenomenon? Why should there be any prohibition connected with it? Zelig Aronson Via Email
Limited Liability “It Excludes An Ox Which Gored…” (Baba Kamma 13b)
Question: Now that we have begun again the new cycle of the Torah reading, I read in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that one is to say a blessing upon seeing a rainbow but it is forbidden to gaze upon it excessively. Is this not such a beautiful phenomenon? Why should there be any prohibition connected with it? Zelig Aronson Via Email
Is It A Penalty? ‘Why [Did R. Oshaia] Not Deal With False Evidence?’ (Bava Kamma 5a)
Question: Now that we have begun again the new cycle of the Torah reading, I read in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that one is to say a blessing upon seeing a rainbow but it is forbidden to gaze upon it excessively. Is this not such a beautiful phenomenon? Why should there be any prohibition connected with it? Zelig Aronson Via Email
A Ruling Too Novel? “One Who Ate Nevelah On Yom Kippur Is Exempt” (Kiddushin 77b)
Question: I’m told that it is meritorious to complete the reading of the weekly Torah portion during the week and that it is a segula bestowing the blessing of long life. Does this apply even if one has no understanding of the text? Shmuel B. Via Email
In Spite Of Unintended Consequences “There Is Birtha di’Satya In Babylon.” (Kiddushin 72a)
Question: I’m told that it is meritorious to complete the reading of the weekly Torah portion during the week and that it is a segula bestowing the blessing of long life. Does this apply even if one has no understanding of the text? Shmuel B. Via Email
The Recanted Testimony ‘A Solitary Witness Said To Him’ (Kiddushin 65b)
Question: I’m told that it is meritorious to complete the reading of the weekly Torah portion during the week and that it is a segula bestowing the blessing of long life. Does this apply even if one has no understanding of the text? Shmuel B. Via Email
You Are That Man! ‘A Poor Man Looking For A Griddlecake…’ (Kiddushin 59a)
Question: I recently learned that one may not dance or clap hands on Shabbat or Yom Tov. If so, how do we dance on Simchat Torah? Aryeh Josefsohn Via Email
The Snatched Zuz ‘None Pay Regard To R. Shimon’s Dictum …’ (Kiddushin 52b)
Question: The Gemara in Berachot teaches that the Sages authored our prayers. If so, it would seem that we did not pray before this time. Did we pray before their innovation or not? Menachem Via Email
Polite And Respectful “It Is Audacious to Appoint One’s Father a Shaliach” (Kiddushin 45b)
Question: The Gemara in Berachot teaches that the Sages authored our prayers. If so, it would seem that we did not pray before this time. Did we pray before their innovation or not? Menachem Via Email
A Year And A Day ‘Hashem ... Completes the Years of the Righteous' (Kiddushin 38a)
Question: The Gemara in Berachot teaches that the Sages authored our prayers. If so, it would seem that we did not pray before this time. Did we pray before their innovation or not? Menachem Via Email
Question: The Gemara in Berachot teaches that the Sages authored our prayers. If so, it would seem that we did not pray before this. Did we pray before their innovation or not? Menachem Via Email
Both Rise To The Occasion ‘What if his son is his teacher?’ (Kiddushin 33b)
Moshe’s Request ‘I Love My Master, My Wife, My Children …' (Kiddushin 22a)
Dear Rabbi Klass: As most of us know, in Elul and until Shemini Atzeret we say the 27th chapter of Tehillim (“L’David Hashem Ori – [A Psalm] of David: The Lord is my light”). The second verse states: “Bikrov alay me’re’im le’echol et besarai…– When evildoers approach me to devour my flesh….” Why does it not say “reshaim – wicked ones” or “anashim ra’im – evil people?” Tzila Kleinbart Brooklyn, N.Y.
It’s In The Will ‘A Non-Jew Receives His Father’s Estate’ (Kiddushin 17b)
Dear Rabbi Klass, As most of us know, now that it’s the month of Elul, we say the 27th chapter of Tehillim until Shemini Atzeret (“L’David Hashem Ori – [A Psalm] of David: The Lord is my light”). The second verse states: “Bikrov alay me’rei m le’echol et besarai… – When evildoers approach me to devour my flesh….” Why does it not say “reshaim – wicked ones” or “anashim raim – evil people?” Tzila Kleinbart Brooklyn, N.Y.
She Ate Unwittingly ‘If She Married A Kohen She Eats Teruma’ (Kiddushin 10b)
Why does it not say “reshaim – wicked ones,” or “anashim ra’im – evil people?” Tzila Kleinbart Via email
October 23, 2026 
