יום ראשון, כ״ד אלול תשפ״וSunday, September 6, 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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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
Pondering A Kapandria “It Should Not Be Used As A Shortcut” (Megilla 29a)
Question: How is one to choose between these two nursing homes, both of which have the advantage of being conveniently located? A Reader
The Gender Factor ‘…Where There Is Loss Of Work…[Only] Three Are Called To The Torah’ (Megillah 22b)
Dear Rabbi Klass, It has been a while now that a number of countries, where Jews reside, have outlawed Shechita – Jewish ritual slaughter. Especially disturbing is what is happening now in Greece and Belgium, since they portray Shechita as being cruel. What are we as Jews to do? Is there any recourse for us in this matter so fundamental to our people? M. Goldblum Via e-mail
Unintended Consequences ‘Mordechai Was Second To The King...’ (Megilla 16b)
Dear Rabbi Klass, It has been a while now that a number of countries, where Jews reside, have outlawed shechita – Jewish ritual slaughter. Especially disturbing is what is happening now in Greece and Belgium, since they portray shechita as being cruel. What are we as Jews to do? Is there any recourse for us in this matter so fundamental to our people? M. Goldblum Via e-mail
Hallel On Purim? “Its Reading Is Its Praise” (Megilla 14a)
Dear Rabbi Klass, It has been a while now that a number of countries, where Jews reside, have outlawed shechita – Jewish ritual slaughter. Especially disturbing is what is happening now in Greece and Belgium, since they portray shechita as being cruel. What are we as Jews to do? Is there any recourse for us in this matter so fundamental to our people? M. Goldblum Via e-mail
The Investment Of Sanctity ‘When They Came To Jerusalem The Bamoth Were Prohibited’ (Megillah 10a)
Dear Rabbi Klass, It has been a while now that several countries where Jews reside have outlawed shechita – Jewish ritual slaughter. Especially disturbing is what is happening now in Greece and Belgium, since they portray shechita as being cruel. What are we as Jews to do? Is there any recourse for us in this matter so fundamental to our people? M. Goldblum Via e-mail
Ancient Cities, Ancient Walls ‘A Dwelling House Sold In A Walled City’ (Megillah 3b-4a)
Question: We learn that the proper placement is by the side of the outside door, but if there is danger one may place them on his table inside the house. If the danger is that hostile gentiles might persecute him, isn’t there the same worry if the menorah is placed indoors?... How would one light in such a circumstance? Menachem Via e-mail
A Siyum Validates It ‘… Thereupon The Decrees Were Annulled…’ (Ta’anis 18a)
Question: If the tefillah begins with an exact minyan – a quorum of ten – and some individuals insist they have to leave, what is to be done, may the tefillah continue as though there was still a minyan? Is there any solution? Zelig Aronson Via email
A Unique Challenge “Tithe, You Shall Tithe…” (Ta’anis 9a)
Question: If the tefillah begins with an exact minyan and some individuals insist they have to leave, what is to be done – May the tefillah continue as though there were still a minyan? Is there any solution? Zelig Aronson Via email
Pidyon Haben In The Afternoon? ‘…The First Reads Aloud The Hallel’ (Rosh Hashana 32b)
Question: Does one wash one’s hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or is it required to pour [fresh] water from a vessel with handles three times on each hand alternatingly? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning. A Reader New York, NY
The Shofar On Shabbos “Rosh Hashana That Occurred on Shabbos” (Rosh Hashana 29b)
Question: Does one wash one’s hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or is it required to pour [fresh] water from a vessel with handles three times on each hand alternatingly? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning. A Reader New York, NY
Sanctified For Now And Thereafter “In Front of the Sun or Behind It?” (Rosh Hashana 23b)
Question: Does one wash one’s hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or is it required to pour [fresh] water from a vessel with handles three times on each hand alternately? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning. A Reader New York, NY
Appreciating His Infinite Mercy ‘I Am He Before The Person Sins…’ (Rosh Hashanah 17b)
Question: Why do we say Shalom Aleichem at Kiddush Levana, when we bless the new moon, and why do we do so three times? Is it because we have not seen a new moon for a whole month? Can you explain a little more about this mitzvah? Ira Warshansky Philadelphia, PA
Sanctified For Its Time… ‘Within Thirty Days Of The Shemittah Year’ (Rosh Hashana 10b)
Question: Why do we say Shalom Aleichem at Kiddush Levana, when we bless the new moon, and why do we do so three times? Is it because we have not seen a new moon for a whole month? Can you explain a little more about this mitzvah? Ira Warshansky Philadelphia, PA
Hillel’s Innovation “The Second Month Of Solomon’s Rule” (Rosh Hashana 2b)
Question: Why do we say Shalom Aleichem at Kiddush Levana, when we bless the new moon, and why do we do so three times? Is it because we have not seen a new moon for a whole month? Can you explain a little more about this mitzvah? Ira Warshansky Philadelphia, PA
A Woman’s Oneg Yom Tov “You Shall Call The Shabbos A Delight” (Beiza 34b)
Question: Is it possible to explain the verse “[All this is] because Abraham listened to My voice, minded My mandate, My commandments, My decrees and My teachings (Genesis 26:5)?” The latter three terms are in the plural. Rashi explains “teachings” as referring to both the Written Torah and the Oral Torah. However, if the commandments and decrees are manifold, is it possible that there are many Torahs? Moshe Jakobowitz Via e-mail
Altered States “Examining A Bechor Is Not The Same As Examining A Tereifa” (Bezah 27a)
Question: Is decorating the Sukkah part of the mitzvah, or does the mitzvah only require the Sukkah itself? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY
Reckoning Time “Three Festivals Even Out Of Order” (Beizah 19b)
Question: Is decorating the sukkah part of the mitzvah, or does the mitzvah only require the sukkah itself? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY
Belaboring The Point “Since It Is Permitted Where Necessary, It Is Permitted Even Where Not Necessary ” (Bezah 12a)
Question: My synagogue is Orthodox in practice; however, many of our members are ignorant of basic Halachot. In fact, many members attend only occasionally, even while they support generously. Every year at Yom Kippur time the congregation swells to its limit. Our Rabbi and leadership seem to ignore the fact that many people travel to the synagogue by car on the holiest day of the year. What could be done? Anonymous Via email
Now In Our Day And Age But On The Second Day [Of Yom Tov] Jews May Engage In His Burial’ (Beza 6a)
Question: I have read in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that an individual praying without a minyan does not recite the Selichot written in Aramaic. What is the reason? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY
What A Difference A Day Makes ‘Rav Rules: First [We Recite The Blessing For] Sukkah Then Zeman [Shehecheyanu] (Sukkah 56a)
Dear Rabbi Klass, I have read in the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch that an individual praying without a minyan does not recite the Selichot written in Aramaic. What is the reason? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY
Full Or ‘Abridged’ Hallel ‘One Is Obligated To Recite The Hallel’ (Sukkah 48a)
In a previous issue, reader Leonard Ziegler referred to a Daf Yomi Highlights column (January 15, 2021) that explained how Yitzchak was able to bless Yaakov by saying: “May Hashem grant you the blessings of Avraham” (even though one is forbidden from using a parent’s first name) because “Avraham” itself is a “respectful title.”
Obstructing A Lulav, Sukkah Or Shofar “Beautification is Not an Interposition” (Sukkah 37a)
Your explanation would explain why it was proper for him to use the name Avraham (presumably one is not permitted to call a grandparent by a first name just as one is forbidden to call a parent by his first name) but it seems Yitzchak is no more a respectful title any than other name, so how did Yaakov use his father’s first name twice? Leonard Ziegler Via email
A Grafted Esrog “Passul When Missing Even a Tiny Bit” (Sukkah 34b)
Dear Rabbi Klass: I hope this finds you well. In a recent Daf Yomi Highlights column (JP 1-15-21), you explain that Yitzchak was able to bless Yaakov by saying: “May Hashem grant you the blessings of Avraham” even though one is forbidden from using a parent’s first name, since the name Avraham itself is a “respectful title.” But this raises the question: How could Yaakov say to Yosef: “The G-d before whom my fathers Avraham and Yitzchak walked... bless the lads ... and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers Avraham and Yitzchak.” (Bereishis 48:15-16). Your explanation would explain why it was proper for him to use the name Avraham (presumably one is not permitted to call a grandparent by a first name just as one is forbidden to call a parent by his first name) but it seems Yitzchak is no more a respectful title than other name, so how could Yaakov use his father’s first name twice? Leonard Ziegler Via email
The Flighty Customer ‘Scribes Who Write Torah Scrolls And Mezuzos …Are Exempt From Kerias Shema And Prayer…’ (Sukkah 26a)
Dear Rabbi Klass, I hope this finds you well. In a recent Daf Yomi Highlights column (1-15-21), you explain that Yitzchak was permitted to bless Yaakov by saying: “May Hashem grant you the blessings of Avraham” even though one is forbidden from using a parent’s first name, since the name Avraham itself is a “respectful title.” But this raises the question: How could Yaakov say to Yosef: “The G-d before whom my fathers Avraham and Yitzchak walked... bless the lads ... and may my name be declared upon them, and the names of my forefathers, Avraham and Yitzchak.” (Genesis 48:15-16). Your explanation would explain why it was proper for him to use the name Avraham (presumably one is not permitted to call a grandparent by a first name just as one is forbidden to call a parent by his first name) but it seems Yitzchak is no more a respectful title than any other name, so how did Yaakov use his father’s first name twice? Leonard Ziegler Via email
It’s All About The Clouds ‘Have You Seen My Slave, Tabi, Who Is A Scholar…’ (Sukkah 20b)
Question: I came to the cemetery, only to find that a stone has never been placed over a close relative who died a year and a half ago. I spoke to the children and they tell me they will get to it when they have time. They seem to think that this is not a matter of any importance. I know that each rushed to take their share of the yerusha that was left them. I’m sure that in the will there is a set aside of money as well as a directive to place a monument. Please help me set them straight with sources that will prove their being obligated to erect a monument over their parent’s grave. I have another related question; while I was there I also noticed one or two monuments that were quite dilapidated. Should they and may they be replaced? Name withheld by request
What Constitutes Schach? “Schach Boards” (Sukkah 14a)
Question: I was taught that due to our mourning on Tisha B’av, we are not allowed to learn or discuss Torah. Since Torah causes us joy, we are forbidden to lessen our mourning with its study. While I understand why we read from Kinot and Eicha, how do we justify reading from the Torah at Shacharit and at Mincha? A further question, do these halachot apply to an individual during his/her seven days of mourning? Menachem Via email
September 4, 2026 
