יום שלישי, ט״ז חשוון תשפ״זTuesday, October 27, 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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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)
Question: I am interested both in the name “Elul” and that month’s unique position as the last month of the year as it is connected with Tishrei, the month that follows, and its holidays, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. I am also interested in the religious practices during the month of Elul. M. Goldman Miami Beach, FL
Oh My, It’s Copper! ‘…And One Who Is a Coppersmith’ (Ketubbos 77a)
Question: I am interested both in the name Elul and that month’s unique position as the last month of the year. Yet it is connected with Tishrei, the month that follows, and its holidays, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. I am also interested in the religious practices during the month of Elul. M. Goldman Miami Beach, Fla.
The Heiress? “Determining The Daughter’s Status ” (Kesubos 68b-69a)
Question: I am interested both in the name Elul and that month’s unique position as the last month of the year. Yet it is connected with Tishrei, the month that follows, and its holidays, Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. I am also interested in the religious practices during the month of Elul. M. Goldman Miami Beach, Fla.
A Woman Of Valor Would That He [Only] Listen To Me…’ (Kesubos 63a)
Question: As we now read Sefer Devarim, the Torah tells us that Moses was instructed by Hashem to appoint a successor. Moses wanted his sons to succeed him but Hashem tells him to appoint Yehoshua as the next leader. Why was this request of the greatest and most righteous of men denied? Also, were Yehoshua and Caleb the only named leaders or personalities to enter the land of Canaan? M. Gorin
Her Children, Her Whim “Kesubas Bnin Dichrin” (Kesubos 52b)
Question: As we now read Sefer Devarim, the Torah tells us that Moses was instructed by Hashem to appoint a successor. Moses wanted his sons to succeed him but Hashem tells him to appoint Yehoshua as the next leader. Why was this request of the greatest and most righteous of men denied? Also, were Yehoshua and Caleb the only named leaders or personalities to enter the land of Canaan? M. Gorin Via email
The Wedding Day Fast “He Gives Her Over In Marriage” (Kesubos 47a)
Question: As we now read the book of Devarim, the Torah tells us that Moses was instructed by Hashem to appoint a successor. Moses wanted His sons to succeed him, but Hashem tells him to appoint Yehoshua as the next leader. Why was this request of the greatest and most righteous of men denied? Also, were Yehoshua and Caleb the only named leaders or personalities to enter the land of Canaan? M. Gorin Via email
A Confession “Payment For Humiliation And Depreciation ...” (Ketubbot 41a)
Question: What is the significance of Tu B'Av, the 15th of Av? David Bernstein Via email
An Auto Accident “All Agree That They Are Exempt [Of Any Monetary Payment]” (Kesubbos 35a)
Question: What is the significance of Tu B’Av, the 15th of Av? David Bernstein Via email
Forever After? ‘Obligated for Challah and Not Terumah’ (Kesubos 25a)
Question: Where I live, I see Chabad Shluchim offering Jewish passerby the opportunity to put on tefillin; is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant? Additionally, is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare proper – kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
The Threat Of Death “Sign or Else…” (Kesubos 19a)
Question: Where I live I see Chabad Shluchim offering Jewish passerby the opportunity to put on Tefillin; is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant? Additionally is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare proper – kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
Tethered To The Mother ‘…If She Is Fit, Her Daughter Is Also Fit…’ (Kesubbos 13b)
Question: Where I live, I see Chabad shluchim offering Jewish passerby to put on tefillin. Is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant? Additionally, is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare – proper kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
A Joy And A Blessing “Rejoicing All Seven Days…” (Kesubos 4b)
Question: Where I live, I see Chabad shluchim offering Jewish passerby to put on tefillin. Is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant? Additionally, is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare – proper kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
An Explosion In The Trench “With A Glowing Hot Knife” (Yevamos 120b)
Question: Where I live, I see Chabad shluchim offering Jewish passerby to put on tefillin, is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant, additionally is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare proper kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
Life Before The Printed Word “A Revi’is of Blood” (Yevamos 114a-b)
Question: Where I live, I see Chabad shluchim offering Jewish passerby to put on tefillin, is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant, additionally is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare proper kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
Mitzvah Or Kinyan? ‘…Both Shall Have Intention At The Same Time …’ (Yevamos 102b)
Question: Where I live, I see Chabad shluchim offering Jewish passerby to put on tefillin, is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant, additionally is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare proper kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
A Kohen Of Choice ‘…A Deaf-Mute, A Mentally Challenged Person, A Minor…’ (Yevamos 99b)
Question: Where I live, I see Chabad shluchim offering Jewish passerby to put on tefillin, is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant, additionally is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare proper kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
Question: Where I live, I see Chabad Shluchim offering Jewish passerby to put on tefillin, is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant, additionally is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare proper kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
A Posted Picture Saves The Day “In Order To Avoid Igun…” (Yevamos 88a)
Reward And Punishment “Ma’aser Rishon for the Leviim” (Yevamos 86a)
Question: Where I live I see Chabad Shluchim offering Jewish passersby to put on Tefillin. Is this of any value if they are otherwise non-observant; additionally, is doing so in a street – a public thoroughfare – proper kavod for the tefillin? Menachem Via email
Fetal Immersion? ‘The Fetus Is A Limb Of It’s Mother’ (Yevamos 78a)
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, FL
No Fault Lines “…His Father And Mother Were In Prison…’ (Yevamos 71b)
Question: Why do some people eat matzah on Pesach Sheni? Harry Koenig
Question: Why do some people eat matzah on Pesach Sheni? Harry Koenig
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, FL
The Daughters Are Mine, The Sons Are Mine “Grandchildren Are Like Children” (Yevamos 62b)
Question: Is there a requirement to recite “Hineni muchan u’mezuman” before Sefirat HaOmer, also if one arrives late for Maariv does one count sefirah first with the minyan or proceed immediately to Maariv? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY
The Decree Of 1587 “Two Kabs Of Dinars Were Given… To King Yanai” (Yevamos 61a)
Is there a requirement to recite “Hineni muchan u’mezuman” before Sefirat HaOmer, also, if one arrives late for Maariv, does one count sefirah first with the minyan or proceed immediately to Maariv? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY
October 23, 2026 
