יום שבת, כ״ה אב תשפ״וSaturday, August 8, 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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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.
Incurring Lashes? “On That Day Rabbi Akiva Expounded” (Sotah 27b)
Question: We celebrate two days of Passover in chutz la’aretz, the Diaspora, because we are unsure as to which is the first day of Passover. If such is the case, what is the basis for beginning the count of sefirat ha’omer in chutz la’aretz on the second night of Passover? M. Goldman Via email
A Special Syllabus ‘As One Who Is Exempt, But Nevertheless Does’ (Sotah 21a)
Question: We celebrate two days of Passover in chutz la’aretz [the Diaspora – outside the land of Israel] because we are unsure which one is the first day of the holiday. If so, what is the basis for beginning the count of sefirat ha’omer in chutz la’aretz on the second night of Passover? M. Goldman Via email
The Stepfather In A Kesuba “He Was the Stepson of Kenaz” (Sotah 11b)
Question: We celebrate two days of Passover in chutz la’aretz [the Diaspora – outside the land of Israel] because we are unsure which one is the first day of the holiday. If so, what is the basis for beginning the count of sefirat ha’omer in chutz la’aretz on the second night of Passover? M.Goldman Via email
A Hot Air Blower “Whoever Eats Bread Without Wiping His Hands…” (Sotah 4b)
Question: Now that we are doing our pre-Passover shopping, I notice in many of the kosher sections of the supermarket packaged products that are marked “non-gebrockts.” Perusing the travel pages of The Jewish Press, I also noticed that many of the caterers at the Passover hotels advertise that they are “Non-Gebrockts.” Could you please throw some light on this current trend? M. Schwartz Via e-mail
Re-burial In Eretz Yisrael ‘If One Finds Three [Corpses]…This Is A Graveyard’? (Nazir 64b – 65a)
Question: Now that we are doing our pre-Passover shopping, I notice that in many of the Kosher sections of the supermarket, there are packaged products marked “non-gebrockts.”... Could you please throw some light on this current trend? M. Schwartz Via Email
A Matter Of Health ‘He Who Rounds The Corners Of A Minor[’s Hair]…’ (Nazir 57b)
Question: What is the meaning of "Ve'ahavta lere'acha kamocha," mandating us to "love your fellow as yourself?" Where does this concept originate? G. Adler Via email
Delaying A Funeral To Honor A Deceased A Nazir May Defile Himself for a Mes Mitzvah (Nazir 47a)
Question: I understand that in the time of Moshiach we will return to the offering of animal sacrifices. But on the other hand, if, as we are told, those will be times without sin, then what will we sacrifice? In this modern world, some also argue that animals have rights and thus animal sacrifice is wrong. How do we answer them as well? Menachem Via Email
Curling Peiyos “Hair of a Nazir” (Nazir 42a)
Question: I understand that in the time of Moshiach we will return to the offering of animal sacrifices. But on the other hand, if, as we are told, those will be times without sin, then what will we sacrifice? In this modern world, some also argue that animals have rights and thus animal sacrifice is wrong. How do we answer them as well? Menachem Via Email
Normal Consumption ‘Leave Aside Babylonian Kutach’ (Nazir 36b)
Question: On occasion we have missed the Torah reading and Ashrei U’va Letziyyon, Aleinu, the Yom and the Kaddeshim, even though we started out with a quorum, as some members leave for work. What are we to do in such an instance? Are there any options? Name Withheld on Request
Like Father Like Son ‘A Man Is Obligated To Train His Son’ (Nazir 29a)
Question: Even though we started out with a quorum, as some members leave for work. What are we to do in such an instance? Are there any options? Name Withheld on Request
A Distressful Situation ‘No Lashes Are Administered’ (Nazir 23a)
Those of us who sit closest to the windows have to suffer the windows being open because those sitting away from the windows, more to the center of the sanctuary, claim they are too hot from the heat of heating system. Do they have the right to impose their comfort at the expense of our health? Name withheld Via email
Facing The Consequences ‘Uncleanness Is Retroactive!’ (Nazir 16a)
Question: Every winter, we run into the same problem: those of us who sit closest to the windows have to suffer the windows being open because those sitting away from the windows, more to the center of the sanctuary, claim they are too hot from the heat of heating system. Do they have the right to impose their comfort at the expense of our health? Name withheld Via email
In Short – Just One Day! “I Am Hereby A Nazir” (Nazir 5a,7a-8a)
Question:. Every winter, we run into the same problem: those of us who sit closest to the windows have to suffer the windows being open because those sitting away from the windows... claim they are too hot from the heat of the heating system. Do they have the right to impose their comfort at the expense of our health? Anonymous Via email
Que Sera, Sera? ‘He Daubed Him With Mud’ (Nedarim 89b-90a)
Question: A number of years back, when I was still unmarried, I had yahrzeit, but in the shul where I davened they wouldn’t let me serve as shaliach tzibbur as they had a rule that no one unmarried was allowed to daven from the amud. Obviously, I could still say Kaddish, but I wanted to lead the services for the sake of the neshama. My question is: Did they have the right to deny me what I felt was my yahrzeit obligation to my departed parent? Mark Halberstam Esq. Brooklyn, N.Y. Via email
Truth Or Consequences ‘Consecrating The Non-Existent’ (Nedarim 85b)
Question: A number of years back, when I was still unmarried, I had yahrzeit, but in the shul where I davened they wouldn’t let me serve as shaliach tzibbur as they had a rule that no one unmarried was allowed to daven from the amud. Obviously, I could still say Kaddish, but I wanted to lead the services for the sake of the neshama. My question is: Did they have the right to deny me what I felt was my yahrzeit obligation to my departed parent? Mark Halberstam Esq. Brooklyn, N.Y. Via email
The Most Favorable Of …Times “Annulling Vows For The Sake Of Shabbos” (Nedarim 77a)
Question: Why, if on Rosh Hashana the shofar is blown during Musaf, is Hallel on the festivals and Rosh Chodesh read during Shacharit? L. Freund Via Email
The Day He Heard ‘One May Seek Revocation Of A Confirmation’ (Nedarim 69a)
Question: Is there any significance to the fact that the fast of the Tenth of Tevet (Asara B’Tevet) almost immediately follows Chanukah and that it is the shortest of all the fast days? Does this allow us to be more lenient in its observance? I hope you will address this in your column, which I eagerly read every week. M. Goldman Miami Beach, Fla.
“Older” By A Month ‘… I Shall Not Taste Wine...Until The Beginning Of Adar’ (Nedarim 63a, Mishna)
Question: Non-Jews distribute gifts at Christmas to their friends and family. What is the halacha about and reasoning for Jews to distribute gifts at Chanukah to friends and family? Growing up, we used to get Chanukah gelt rather than gifts from my parents. Larry Marks Via E-Mail
The Plucked Apple ‘…Which Cannot Become Permitted’ (Nedarim 58a)
Question: We see numerous instances in Scripture where a person’s name was changed. 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 Esreh. Why is that so? Abraham Goldman Jerusalem
Going Public ‘...From A Wealthy Roman Lady’ (Nedarim 50a)
Question: We see numerous instances in Scripture where a person’s name was changed. 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 Esreh. Why is that so? Abraham Goldman Jerusalem
This Land Is ‘My’ Land “[If The Vow Was Imposed] In The Seventh Year…” (Nedarim 42b)
Question: My rabbi recently ruled leniently in a certain matter relating to the laws of mourning. Am I disrespecting my late mother if I follow this advice? No Name Please Via Email
My Plate, My Food ‘My Loaf Is Forbidden To You’ (Nedarim 34b)
Question: My rabbi recently ruled leniently in a certain matter relating to the laws of mourning. Am I disrespecting my late mother if I follow this advice? Name withheld on request Via email
Not As An Asmachta? ‘An Asmachta [In Beis Din] Does Acquire’ (Nedarim 27b)
Question: Can you explain the different starting times of Mashiv haruach u'morid hagashem and Ve'ten tal u'matar livracha as opposed to Morid hatal and Ve'ten beracha, and why they are said as part of particular berachot in the Amida, as found in the siddur? S. Dorman Via email
Ulla’s Murderous Companion “Yes! Cut Him Even Deeper ” (Nedarim 22a)
Question: Can you explain the different starting times of Mashiv haruach u’morid hagashem and Ve’ten tal u’matar livracha as opposed to Morid hatal and Ve’ten beracha, and why they are said as part of particular berachot in the Amida, as found in the siddur? S. Dorman Via email
An Enduring Text ‘If One Vows By The Torah...’ (Nedarim 14b)
Question: Looking back at the past Yomim Tovim, I am left with the following question: What is the reason for the unusual practice of the chazzan reciting shehecheyanu on Yom Kippur night? Elimelech Feldman Via email
Casting A Doubt ? ‘Shall We Say Non-Specific Abbreviations Are Not Valid?’ (Nedarim 5a-7a)
Question: Looking back at the past Yomim Tovim, I am left with the following question: What is the reason for the unusual practice of the chazzan reciting shehecheyanu on Yom Kippur night? Elimelech Feldman (Via Email)
The Honor of Reading the Kesuba “Witnesses Sign Only After Reading…” (Kesubos 109a)
Question: In his Jewish Press column, Yishai Fleisher describes his visits to the Har HaBayit. I believe entry to the Har HaBayit is assur because we are all Safek T’mei’ei Mes – questionably corpse-defiled. BeChavod Rav UVeVirchas Gmar Chasimah Tovah, Shanah Tovah UMevureches, Avraham Yaakov Rokach Via email
Redundancy Explained “Such And Such [I Give My Son]…” (Kesubos 102b)
Question: According to Chazal, it would seem that women have no simcha obligation on Yom Tov other than the purchase of new garments. Is this so? Zelig Aronson Via email
Seller’s Remorse ‘He Sold Because He Ostensibly Needed the Funds’ (Ketubbot 97a)
Question: Every year at this time we are bombarded with a proliferation of etrogim merchants lauding their wares. Some also point to the superiority of their specific Moroccan, Greek or Italian etrogim. I usually do not succumb to their pitch as my heart is always set on supporting the State of Israel, and I end up buying an Israeli etrog. This year some have made mention of a problem regarding the shemittah. What do you suggest? Paul Gold Via e-mail
The Debt Lives On ‘The Orphans’ Mitzvah To Repay Their Father’s Debt’ (Ketubbot 91b)
I usually do not succumb to their pitch as my heart is always set on supporting the State of Israel, and I end up buying an Israeli etrog. This year some have made mention of a problem regarding the shemittah. What do you suggest?
Ramifications Of A Printer’s Error “The Note Holder’s Burden of Proof” (Kesubos 83b)
August 7, 2026 
