יום שבת, ב׳ אלול תשפ״וSaturday, August 15, 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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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)
Question: What constitutes the actual Haggadah, the mitzvah to retell the story of our slavery in Egypt and how Hashem redeemed us and delivered us from there? Also, if the head of household reads the Haggadah to the assembled, has he discharged their obligation? Yosef Slomovicz Via email
Law Abiding Citizen “That Which Is Crooked Cannot Be Made Straight …” (Yevamos 22a-b)
Question: What constitutes the actual Haggadah – the mitzvah to retell the story of our slavery in Egypt and how Hashem redeemed us and delivered us from there? Also, if the head of household reads the Haggadah to those assembled, has he discharged their obligation? Yosef Slomovicz Via email
For Appearance’s Sake ‘Shammai Did Not Follow Their Own Ruling’ (Yevamos 13b 14a)
Question: I have numerous questions that relate to the Jewish leap year when a full month is added to our lunar year every couple of years. Why is Adar the month that is picked for this addition? Why do we call it Adar Alef? Why is Purim celebrated in the second Adar? Also, while both are named Adar, only of them one must be the real Adar – which one? Shea Aronovitch Via e-mail
Being Overly Burdensome “My Sabbaths Shall You Observe” (Yevamos 6a)
Dear Rabbi Klass, I have numerous questions that relate to the Jewish leap year by way of the full month that we add to our lunar year every couple of years. Why is Adar the month picked for this addition? Why do we call it Adar Alef? Why is Purim celebrated in the second Adar? It’s also obvious that even though both are named Adar that only one of them must be the real Adar – which one? Shea Aronovitch Via e-mail
A Miraculous Visual Treat “They Lifted It Up To Show…” (Chagiga 26b)
Question: Is it possible to give two of one's children the same name? I’ve seen this more than once where a later born child was given the same Hebrew name as an older sibling; however, their English names are different. A Reader Los Angeles, CA
Chatzitza And Its Applications ‘Greater Stringency Applies To Hallowed Things…’ (Chagiga 20b –21a)
Question: Is it possible to give two of one’s children the same name? I’ve seen this more than once where a later-born child was given the same Hebrew name as an older sibling, however their English names are different. A Reader Los Angeles, California
A Role Reversal “Return, O Wayward Sons…” (Chagigah 15a)
Question: Was Saul actually our first king or was it Moses, as some claim? And if Moses was our first king, why was Samuel later critical of Israel for requesting a king? Menachem (Via E-Mail)
What A Miracle “Why Bring the Infants to Hakhel” (Chagiga 3a)
Question: Was Saul actually our first king or was it Moses, as some claim? And if Moses was our first king, why was Samuel later critical of Israel for requesting a king? Menachem Via email
A Blast At A Funeral? “R. Hamnuna Came To Daramutha…” (Moed Kattan 27b)
Question: I notice that in some synagogues that I visit on Shabbat, some people do not fold their tallitot but rather leave them in their place unfolded. Yet I do see that the majority of people do fold their tallit and put it away. I actually asked one person why he doesn’t fold it and put it away neatly. He responded that really one is not allowed to do so. I would appreciate if you would clarify this matter. Consequently, when in a hotel am I allowed to let room service in to make the beds on Shabbat morning? I. Hager Brooklyn, NY
Untimely News ‘…We Deduce That A Mourner Is Forbidden To Wear Shoes…’ (Mo’ed Katan 20b)
Question: I notice that in some synagogues that I visit on Shabbat, some people do not fold their tallitot but rather leave them in their place unfolded. Yet I do see that the majority of people do fold their tallit and put it away. I actually asked one person why he doesn’t fold it and put it away neatly. He responded that really one is not allowed to do so. I would appreciate if you would clarify this matter. Consequently, when in a hotel am I allowed to let room service in to make the beds on Shabbat morning? I. Hager Brooklyn, NY
Discretion ‘…Vendors Of Fruits, Clothing…May Sell In Private…’ (Mo’ed Katan 13b)
Question: May a cheresh, a deaf mute, who exhibits other signs of intelligence, be included in a minyan? I live in a small town where this is a very relevant question, where we struggle to put together a minyan. Are there any halachic implications for including such a person? Name Withheld Small Town, USA
An Outcast “He Shall Dwell Outside His Tent” (Moed Katan 7b)
Question: May a cheresh, a deaf-mute, who exhibits other signs of intelligence, be included in a minyan? I live in a small town where this is a very relevant question, where we struggle to put together a minyan. Are there any halachic implications for including such a person? Name Withheld Small Town, USA
August 14, 2026 
