יום שישי, י״ז אב תשפ״וFriday, July 31, 2026
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When one is riding on cloud nine and feels that longing to be close with their prospective spouse he/she can spend hours working out minute details to enhance the experience even more.
The other purpose of charoset is symbolic. The traditional ingredients of the charoset mixture – nuts, figs, and apples – are used in Scripture to describe the Jewish people.
There are the other components of the Seder which we must consume: the wine, the maror and the matzah. Thus, if one does not consume any meat, fowl and/or fish, that will suffice as regards the evening’s requirements.
We see that the wine for Arba Kosot must be considered chashuv. Rav Moshe Feinstein, in turn, rules that grape juice is not chashuv.
A Hot Air Blower “Whoever Eats Bread Without Wiping His Hands…” (Sotah 4b)
In any case, added Chaim, I assume that if you have a share in the chametz, you can include it in mechiras chametz. I don’t think I can simply sell my stocks the way I sell the liquor that I own, objected Mr. Krumbein.
Four times we mention the word ‘baruch’ – blessed. Because we must know that every child is considered to be ‘baruch’ – a blessing. Yes, even in the most difficult situation, there is bracha to be found. Seder night gives us a new perspective.
Many other sources view the word Mitzrayim as a portmanteau of meitzar (narrow, border, strait) and yam (sea).
The ancient Egyptians worshipped sheep. When they saw that the Jews were tying sheep to their beds, they became enraged and demanded an explanation for this sacrilege.
If consuming these products are an enhancement of one's simchas Yom Tov and done l’shem mitzvah, they can be sanctioned with moderation.
Re-burial In Eretz Yisrael ‘If One Finds Three [Corpses]…This Is A Graveyard’? (Nazir 64b – 65a)
Rabbi Wein recounts that they imparted to his generation the need to appreciate being part of the eternal people and the responsibility it entails. He also speaks of our need to pridefully convey those messages to our progeny.
Many individuals have the custom to cover or remove any knives that are on the table before reciting Birkat HaMazon. This is because knives, reminiscent of swords, are items that shorten a man’s life, while the table, which represents the altar of G-d, lengthens it.
If I understood him correctly, Rabbi Pappenheim differentiates between zavit and pinah by explaining that a zavit refers to the inner part of a corner, while a pinah refers to the outer part of a corner.
In my opinion, what is at stake here is whether one can permit these acts since they represent only a professional interaction with no personal implications.
The whole Jewish nation set their calendars and holidays based on the words of the witnesses. It was even permissible to come on Shabbos from afar to testify.
A Matter Of Health ‘He Who Rounds The Corners Of A Minor[’s Hair]…’ (Nazir 57b)
There is also hilchot treifot. According to the rules of hilchot treifot, we are obligated to check almost every internal organ of an animal. But we don’t. We rely on all types of leniencies and only check the lungs.
The Torah does not merely demand that we ‘do certain things.’ The Torah demands that we develop and foster a passionate connection with it.
Neither conservative or liberal politics represent Torah politics. There are definitely aspects of each which are in line with Torah perspectives and ethics, and definitely aspects of each that are opposed to Torah perspectives and ethics.
Netanel tried to straighten the hat as best he could since it was Shabbos, but the damage was done. The hat had a clear crease in it and would need to be either reshaped or replaced.
Delaying A Funeral To Honor A Deceased A Nazir May Defile Himself for a Mes Mitzvah (Nazir 47a)
In a superficial society so focused on externals this is true on many levels. But perhaps it is never truer than regarding the holiday of Purim.
Let’s be honest. Corn on the cob has always been consumed, along with many other fruits and vegetables that Rav Vaye’s rulings have forbidden (or considerably regulated).
When Maimonides (Laws of Klei HaMikdash 2:4) translates the ingredients for the ketoret into Arabic, he renders tzari as al-balasan (i.e., balsam), but the Biblical term for this ingredient is actually nataf (Exodus 30:34), literally meaning the thing that drips.
Even Queen Esther went to the king, which she was forbidden to do, in disguise. She dressed up. Yes, she was a queen and she dressed up as a queen. However she was Jewish and nobody knew that, so she was dressing up.
Shmuel the Amora rules that although most people buy oxen for work, not meat, we do not follow the majority likelihood in monetary issues.
Curling Peiyos “Hair of a Nazir” (Nazir 42a)
Though we live in times of incredible chaos, and there are layers of darkness obscuring Hashem’s light in this world, there are moments of great light where we see the power of hashgacha pratis, a hug from Above.
When the Beis HaMikdash stood we were keenly aware of our ‘marriage’ to Hashem... In exile however, we are isolated and surrounded by a culture that does not ascribe to Torah values.
Many of these commentaries stress that drinking is meant to enhance an appropriate Purim celebration.
Is it acceptable for the meshulach to take a percentage of the donation? Is this counted as part of my tzedakah?
Normal Consumption ‘Leave Aside Babylonian Kutach’ (Nazir 36b)
Education is not just about compliance, but about instilling values into our children’s souls, so that it becomes part of them for life.
When Rabbi Feldman referred to her with the title rabbi, she registered surprise that an Orthodox rabbi would acknowledge that a woman was ordained. Rabbi Feldman responded, I accord you the same respect that I accord to your male colleagues.
On this day, as you become bar mitzvah, we wish you the privilege to see the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash. Your half-shekel will join with the half-shekel of another Jew – with the half-shekels of all the Jews around the world – to purchase the korbanos.
Like Father Like Son ‘A Man Is Obligated To Train His Son’ (Nazir 29a)
Each holiday brings with it unique spiritual blessing and specific components of Divine service that can be attained. When a weekly Shabbos Torah reading includes a discussion about a holiday, a taste of that holiday’s blessing is spiritually palpable.
It might just be that the use of a rabbinic title should be evaluated differently nowadays when it is no longer used in the manner that it once was.
Rav Landau writes, hunting for sport is improper and anyone who does this follows in the footsteps of Nimrod and Esav, and not Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov.
What happens when there is a difference in time zones? Mr. Samson asked his chavrusa. For example, I use call centers in India. When it's Friday in America, it's already Shabbos in India. Is that a violation of amira l'nochri?
A Distressful Situation ‘No Lashes Are Administered’ (Nazir 23a)
While it is clear that the Torah's preference is for one to perform yibum rather than chalitza, this is rarely the case nowadays and yibum is generally no longer an option – a man does not marry his brother's widow.
We feel like we are racing down the runway picking up speed, as the plane pulsates from the acceleration. And then suddenly the shaking ceases and we are airborne.
Unfortunately, some people view the kiddush as the most important feature of Shabbat morning at shul.
There is a whole section of the Talmud devoted to that sort of thing.
The normal use of ‘company’ or ‘workplace’ indicates an office, not one's home, even if the employee typically works remotely.
Facing The Consequences ‘Uncleanness Is Retroactive!’ (Nazir 16a)
Abba Zayda filled each home with his towering presence, his laughter, his love of life, his never ending patience and his constant wisdom.
If you would dig beneath the basement of my house, I’m not sure you’d find anything too intriguing.
It is a virtually universal practice to light a 24-hour memorial candle on the evening before the yahrzeit so that it burns throughout the yahrzeit. It is said that the soul derives pleasure when candles are lit in its honor.
The decision will ultimately be based on a variety of factors, depending on the reason for the parents’ disapproval. Perhaps their disapproval is temporary or based on unwarranted concerns.
My grandfather used to call me his precious little Michali and I cherished those words every time I saw him.
If the parshiyos are pasul, that should be the sofer's problem! Mr. Rosenblum exclaimed. He wrote them. Please let me speak with him.
In Short – Just One Day! “I Am Hereby A Nazir” (Nazir 5a,7a-8a)
There is a mistaken belief that one should cease reciting Kaddish on the yahrzeit of a parent once fifty years have passed since their death.
Most simply don’t have much to say to aveilim and that’s fine; it’s still a great mitzvah to visit with aveilim even for a short time.
Since the signature of witnesses on a loan document becomes void upon repayment, no inherent testimony remains about the second loan, whereas when the borrower resubmits an IOU to the lender, he obligates himself again, as if signing anew.
Que Sera, Sera? ‘He Daubed Him With Mud’ (Nedarim 89b-90a)
It is explained that the reason one may not leave a sefer lying open is that there is an angel whose name is Sheid – an abbreviation for “shomer dapim” (guardian of [book] pages) – who causes anyone who leaves a sefer open to forget what he has learned.
The concept of both sides being correct flies in the face of the prevailing attitude and mindset of our society.
If a person receives a summons to appear before a reputable beit din, it is halachically mandatory to show up. But some people, for various reasons, choose to ignore the summons.
The daily experiences do not, and are not usually earth shattering or traumatic. Any small event or disappointment, aggravations and so on, are sometimes even harder to get up from than from big traumas.
To be honest, acknowledged Rabbi Kadosh, I am not sure how much the kesubah is worth in dollars. I see Rabbi Dayan over there, though. Maybe he knows.
Truth Or Consequences ‘Consecrating The Non-Existent’ (Nedarim 85b)
Although the Torah strictly forbids taking revenge and bearing a grudge, these are not transgressions that are punishable in a beit din
When surrounded on all sides and too coddled, one becomes too stifled to grow and produce.
There's always something that we want from G-d. And Hashem wants something from us.
The borrower carries the greatest liability, even if the borrowed item died or broke due to uncontrollable circumstances, oness.
The Most Favorable Of …Times “Annulling Vows For The Sake Of Shabbos” (Nedarim 77a)
To be a Maccabi today means that you stand with pride for your people and your land. You live inspired. You refuse to allow the world to crush your spirit.
Rebbe Nachman teaches that reciting Kiddush Levana is a segula for curing weak eyesight.
From a purely halachic perspective there doesn’t seem to be a requirement to sit a specific way during any other part of davening. That being said, it seems to me that it is proper to have a more respectful posture during the other parts of davening as well.
Sometimes our children themselves don't even realize how much they need their parents.
The Day He Heard ‘One May Seek Revocation Of A Confirmation’ (Nedarim 69a)
It also might just be that the custom of inviting one’s departed relatives to the wedding is a manner in which one can “force” them to attend.
There’s no doubt about it. There’s something missing in the hearts and souls of so many today and they can’t seem to satiate it.
In the current environment, it is prudent and politically correct to stay away from shul when one is ill.
When each holiday ends and the routine and mundane days come about, we must take the magic moments and energies from the holiday onwards.
I may have to sell them as 'used in new condition.' I'll accept the books back, but expect you to cover the depreciation due to the stickers.
“Older” By A Month ‘… I Shall Not Taste Wine...Until The Beginning Of Adar’ (Nedarim 63a, Mishna)
Rav Moshe Feinstein argues that the fact that a couple chose to forgo a Jewish ceremony demonstrates that they have no desire to be married according to Jewish law.
By Chana Ford
The idea is to slowly create an operating standard: approved batei din are ones which are transparent, which don’t allow for shady deals, and which recognize abusive behaviors when they present themselves.
Angels They dance before him As he sways gently, Serenely Then his voice reverberates Gratitude for sanctification
Obviously, the question is not only in regard to owning a gun, but having it in one’s possession and if necessary, using it.
The small light we light on Chanukah it's very symbolic of the Jewish soul. As small as the fire is or as small as a person might think his or her soul is, it’s an everlasting fire and is something that cannot be extinguished.
Here, the pennies were not lent as monetary value, but rather as objects to be used and returned themselves – hashalah, so that there is no violation of ribbis.
The Plucked Apple ‘…Which Cannot Become Permitted’ (Nedarim 58a)
While most authorities agree that the shehecheyanu blessing should only be recited when lighting the menorah, there are some who rule that one who has not lit a Chanuka menorah by the eighth night of Chanuka is permitted to recite shehecheyanu simply in honor of the holiday.
To be honest there were many Shabbos mornings when I fell back to sleep without saying kerias shema, but it made a deep impression on me. Now I try to be particular to say shema before the earlier time.
It would seem that gift-giving on Chanukah, which is presumably an imitation of gift-giving on Christmas, is based on a custom that stems from a foreign religion.
In English, the words 'borrow' and 'lend' apply to both money and items, but there is a significant halachic difference between them, replied Rabbi Dayan.
Going Public ‘...From A Wealthy Roman Lady’ (Nedarim 50a)
One should tidy up the table in preparation for Birkat Hamazon, such as by removing empty serving dishes and cleaning up any unsightly spills and messes.
Things often aren’t as spectacular as we anticipate. But more importantly, he wasn’t alone in his experience in Eretz Yisrael, or in visiting the Kosel for the first time.
A final caution: It is assumed as a matter of common decency that in publishing such posthumous works that one do so with the permission of next of kin or other copyright holder, unless many years have passed and the work is now in the public domain.
My grandmother was a pioneer. My grandmother was proud to be Jewish, proud to be a woman, proud to do what was right even if no one else thought what she was doing was the right thing.
This Land Is ‘My’ Land “[If The Vow Was Imposed] In The Seventh Year…” (Nedarim 42b)
The workers cannot insist that they agreed to continue only with the intention that the employer should add, since he can claim that he intended to improve work conditions with extra food or the like.
What gives you the strength? I asked. How do you, a boy of 12, find the courage to keep Shabbos all by yourself every week? I am just in awe of you.
July 31, 2026 
