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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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
Filling In The Blanks ‘Esrog Similar To a Tree in Three Ways…’ (Kiddushin 2b-3a)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan is there any reason to sanction this? Charles Rosen Via email
Excluding The Excluded ‘You Are Permitted To Any Man But My Father …’ (Gittin 85a)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan is there any reason to sanction this? Charles Rosen Via email
Deliberate Humiliation “Take Care of My Father” (Gittin 75b)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended, I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan. Is there any reason to sanction this? Charles Rosen Via Email
Viewing Competency “A Deaf Person Able to Speak” (Gittin 71a)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended, I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan. Is there any reason to sanction this? Charles Rosen Via Email
Completing An Assignment ‘A Get May Be Written And Given Even One Hundred Times’ (Gittin 63b)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended, I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan. Is there any reason to sanction this? Charles Rosen Via Email
In The Aftermath Of The Betar Massacre ‘Forty Se’ah Of Phylactery Casings Were Found…’ (Gittin 57b-58a)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended, I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan. Is there any reason to sanction this? Charles Rosen Via Email
Splitting Grains? “Mixed Untithed Produce” (Gittin 47b)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended, I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan. Is there any reason to sanction this? Charles Rosen Via Email
A Public Figure’s Commitment ‘A Matter That Does Not Yet Exist' (Gittin 42b)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended, I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan. Is there any reason to sanction this? Charles Rosen Via Email
A Signature Dispute ‘Signing… for Tikkun Olam’ (Gittin 34b)
Question: In the many shuls that I've attended, I observe that there are people who recite the Kaddish silently. Is this correct? I’ve also seen Kaddish recited by some at a cemetery without a minyan. Is there any reason to sanction this? Charles Rosen Via Email
Presumption Of Life? ‘The Husband Was Elderly or Ailing...’ (Gittin 28a)
Question: My physician prescribed certain medication in the form of pills that I am to take daily, twice a day. The question is, what am I to do as regards the Sabbath – may I take the pills or must I skip taking them? There is also a question, since I am diabetic, that skipping a day’s dosage might prove harmful. Should I take them on the Sabbath or not? Name withheld on request Via email
Painting Tefillin Straps Black “He May Go Over the Letters With a Pen” (Gittin 20a)
Question: Is one allowed to go to Madam Tassaud’s Wax Museum? Is this not a violation of the Torah’s prohibition of graven images? Ben Moseson Via email
Question: Is one allowed to go to Madam Tassaud’s Wax Museum? Is this not a violation of the Torah’s prohibition of graven images? Ben Moseson Via email
Last Will And Testament “A Deathbed Request Is As Sealed And Delivered” (Gitin 14b)
Repulsive And Disgraceful “The Holy One … Does Not Cause Mishaps To The Righteous” (Gittin 7a)
Question: Is one allowed to go to Madam Tassaud’s Wax Museum? is this not a violation of the Torah’s prohibition of graven images? Ben Moseson Via email
A Wonder Worm “When The Temple Was Destroyed The Shamir…Ceased” (Sotah 48a-b)
Question: My mother-in-law, who was visiting her son (my brother-in-law), a medical doctor, had an accident. When she requested her son to remove the shard, he refused to do so...
The Impropriety Of Flattery “They Flattered King Agrippas” (Sotah 41b)
Question: What if one counted the omer but forgot to utter the blessing – has the obligation been fulfilled? Why do we recite a blessing for this counting, when we find that for the zayin nekiyim – the seven clean days – there is no such blessing? Is the counting not similar? M. Goldman Miami Beach, Fla
The Burning of Kever Yosef “Alongside Shechem” (Sotah 32a)
Question: What if one counted the omer but forgot to utter the blessing – has the obligation been fulfilled? Why do we recite a blessing for this counting, when we find that for the zayin nekiyim – the seven clean days — there is no such blessing? Is the counting not similar? M. Goldman Miami Beach, Fla.
July 10, 2026 
