יום שני, כ״ה אלול תשפ״וMonday, September 7, 2026
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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.
Although it is true that virtually no interruptions are permitted between ga’al Yisrael and the beginning of Shemoneh Esrei, these three steps are deemed to be a component of the prayer, and as such, are not considered a hefsek.
I daven each morning, and have the great merit to don those G-d-endowed gifts for a few precious moments of prayer each morning. But it's hard to remember how precious those gifts are.
Just the other day, I got down on the floor to play with my 5-year-old grandson. I noticed his joy (unexpressed, of course) that we were now on the same level, and I, on his turf.
The Gemara (B.K. 30a; B.M. 118b) teaches that even during seasons when it is permissible to place trash out in public areas, the owner remains responsible for it, and is liable if it caused injury.
My Plate, My Food ‘My Loaf Is Forbidden To You’ (Nedarim 34b)
Closely related to the concept of geneivat da’at is giving credit where credit is due. The Talmud teaches that whoever reports something in the name of the one who said it brings redemption to the world.
Tests are not measured only based on circumstance, but also based on who the person is. Two people may be faced with the exact same challenge and yet deal with it completely differently.
It’s the menchlich thing to do. We are commanded to do what is right in the eyes of Hashem...
I went out to work wishing Hashem well and hoping that very soon He would be able to come down to His True Home right here amongst His children in the holy city of Jerusalem.
Not As An Asmachta? ‘An Asmachta [In Beis Din] Does Acquire’ (Nedarim 27b)
The dates are agreed and well documented, said Rabbi Dayan. It's clear to me that Mr. Plaut made a common mathematical error, subtracting three from 12.
It is best that a father and son or two brothers not be awarded hagba and gelila together, just as they should not be awarded any two aliyot in succession.
Each year as Rosh Hashana approaches many people find themselves despairingly thinking that this will yet be another year of failed growth. I am exactly who I was last year and the year before that, and I can never change. But in reality, that attitude is hardly ever true.
In engaging the students, we discovered that while they acknowledged the horror of what their ancestors had perpetrated, it had nothing to do with them.
Ulla’s Murderous Companion “Yes! Cut Him Even Deeper ” (Nedarim 22a)
Half a year later, Mr. Green called Mrs. Hauser. We're planning to come at the end of November, he said. If your unit is available, we're happy to stay with you. Yes, it's available then, said Mr. Hauser. We'll be happy to host you in the unit. At the end of their trip, Mr. Green thanked Mr. Hauser for the pleasant accommodations. I'm glad you enjoyed the unit, said Mr. Hauser. We charge $700 for the week.
According to some authorities, one should avoid studying Scripture (Written Torah) at night. This is based on the Kabbalistic teaching that the Written Torah was specifically designated for study during the day and that the Oral Torah (Talmud) was specifically designated for study at night.
The week of Parshas Noach is the first full week after the holiday season has drawn to a close. As we recount that catastrophic deluge which eradicated all that existed prior, we hope it is not also when all that we have accomplished these last few weeks becomes erased as well.
When a Jewish woman intermarries, her children will be halachically Jewish. We certainly would want the children to be raised as Jewishly as possible. Alienating their mother would be counter-productive.
If we take these weekly portions of the Torah and relate the story directly to our daily lives, we will see how each holy figure we read about, we can find deeply within ourselves.
I cannot promise that the hall will be available then, said the gabbai. People use it for all kinds of functions, including lectures in the morning. You'll have to pay for the hall, regardless.
An Enduring Text ‘If One Vows By The Torah...’ (Nedarim 14b)
My husband and I exchanged worried glances. We had a while till our destination, Shabbos was coming, and we had no idea what we would do. The only thing we knew for sure is that as soon as the plane landed we needed to disembark ASAP.
There are different customs as to what should be written on a tombstone. Although the name of the deceased should certainly appear on the tombstone, this was not always done.
I once heard a lecturing rabbi suggest – somewhat surprisingly – that he felt men should not buy their wives flowers every Shabbos. He reasoned that doing so makes the flowers become a trite habit that loses its meaning.
One of the most common situations for serious machlokes nowadays is the parsha of yerusha. Many a family have been torn apart to the point of not talking to each other and not attending family simchas over inheritance disputes.
Casting A Doubt ? ‘Shall We Say Non-Specific Abbreviations Are Not Valid?’ (Nedarim 5a-7a)
Mr. Feiner picked up the bag and headed home. As he walked, he wondered whether he was obligated to return the bag that had washed ashore.
The funding for all death related expenses must be provided by those who inherit the estate of the deceased, whether from their own funds or from the inheritance.
It’s not enough to give our children training and resources, we also have to give them the space to fall. We have to imbue them with the confidence that they can grow from their mistakes and fallings.
There is one benefit to a man wearing a wedding band that many people have told me about; in the world of business. When a man interacts with women in the workplace and they see that he is married, that allows for certain barriers of modesty to exist, barriers that are extremely helpful.
The Honor of Reading the Kesuba “Witnesses Sign Only After Reading…” (Kesubos 109a)
I'd rather spend my money on things that people need, like worthy tzedakah causes, tuition for the children, or sefarim for the shul library.
This is why Sukkos follows Yom Kippur. The Gemara states that in the place where a ba’al teshuva stands, even the most sincerely righteous cannot stand.
Redundancy Explained “Such And Such [I Give My Son]…” (Kesubos 102b)
A prominent Simchat Torah feature is the flags that are distributed to children to wave and strut. It is explained that the flags are intended to recall how each tribe was led and represented by its flag throughout the wanderings in the desert.
Seller’s Remorse ‘He Sold Because He Ostensibly Needed the Funds’ (Ketubbot 97a)
There are two primary ways to allow payment for esrogim of the Shemittah year on a wide scale. The most prevalent option is through otzar beis din.
When there is a dispute among contemporary poskim, the purveyor of the minority view may continue to follow their own view, even when they acknowledge that they are in the minority.
We are in this dark galus because of the hatred between brothers. Most of the ‘Al Cheits’ we confess to on Yom Kippur are hurts caused by our mistreatment of other people.
The Shulchan Aruch rules that one who sleeps under a bed in a sukkah does not fulfill the mitzvah of sukkah if the bed is higher than ten tefachim.
The truth is that the message of Sukkos is so important, especially in our day and age, and it is unfortunately not spoken about enough.
It would behoove one, therefore, to be extra cautious that the material is appropriate. Such material in my mind is learning Torah or the like.
I expected you to remember, replied Mr. Feldman. In any case, I won't eat these bagels for supper tonight, nor will they last till after Yom Kippur.
The Debt Lives On ‘The Orphans’ Mitzvah To Repay Their Father’s Debt’ (Ketubbot 91b)
Some authorities teach that one should not clean one's kittel after Pesach. This is because the wine and matza stains on one's kittel from the Pesach Seder – proof of one’s devotion to mitzvot – will serve well on one's behalf on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
If we do it before Pesach with our chometz, could we do it before Yom Kippur with our sins?
It is obvious that when one is fasting watching someone else eat can be very distracting and cause one to be reminded of their hunger.
Ramifications Of A Printer’s Error “The Note Holder’s Burden of Proof” (Kesubos 83b)
What about the bank account for the kids, which is in my name? asked Mrs. Guttyor. My pension also is in my name. What if it were a Jewish-owned bank?
It is taught that the power of this prayer lies in its dual declaration of G-d as both our Father and our King.
Rosh Hashana is referred to as a day of light. In what way is the day that we, and the entire world, stand in meticulous judgment a day of light?
Many of us think that the siman of dipping the apple in the honey is the most authentic. After all, that’s the one siman which all of our children are familiar with and sing about.
Hashem gives us challenges and sends us different trials throughout the year and Hashem tries to spread out the work throughout the year so we won't collapse or even give up trying.
Oh My, It’s Copper! ‘…And One Who Is a Coppersmith’ (Ketubbos 77a)
Toward the end of the month, Mr. Morgen looked on his desk for the paper on which he had recorded his hours, but couldn't find it. He tried reconstructing based on his email message history, but it didn't help.
Itis also noted that the one who leads selichot is required to go through the trouble of waking up earlier than everyone else. The privilege of leading the remaining services of the day was his reward and appeasement for having lost sleep.
Perhaps our first step must be to pop the huge balloon that envelops us so that we can see beyond our own confines.
I personally do not believe that this is a tzniut issue, but if one feels that it is, others should respect their views.
We are coming close to the holy judgment day and we must make sure that we enter that courtroom as clean and as clear as possible.
The Heiress? “Determining The Daughter’s Status ” (Kesubos 68b-69a)
As the article did not distinguish between a Jewish-owned store and one owned by a gentile, a reader posed the question: How can hefker beis din apply when the ring is bought from a gentile?
Although a number of customs and themes characterize the month of Elul, it might just be that it is the repeated recitation of L’David that encapsulates them all.
The problem is that if we don’t expand our comfort zone, it begins to shrink.
For one reason or another, a company may charge different prices for a particular item or service, perhaps in order to fill up seats on a plane or to get rid of an overabundance of items that it has.
A Woman Of Valor Would That He [Only] Listen To Me…’ (Kesubos 63a)
We may not always understand our lives, but we must always know deep within our hearts that Hashem is waiting for each and every one of us to come home, that each one of us counts, and that Hashem will never abandon us.
We have a lot of opinions about other people and why they are that way. We are always quicker to find the small stain and hole than we are to notice the virtues.
Knowing that this family provides the adopted child with a stable, loving home, permeated by Torah values, and with the full love and support of the older children, I could not imagine why someone would think it improper.
Sometimes we have a lot of enthusiasm, energy, and the ability to jump up and do exactly what Hashem wants from us.
If we draft two loan documents, suggested Mr. Goldstein, we could send one to each brother simultaneously. That will save time!
Her Children, Her Whim “Kesubas Bnin Dichrin” (Kesubos 52b)
We like convenience. In fact, our world is driven by it. We expect no less than high-speed internet and sophisticated toys and attractions.
I would strongly advise anyone to limit picture taking, especially when it involves sending and sharing via social media and the like.
The Wedding Day Fast “He Gives Her Over In Marriage” (Kesubos 47a)
Benzion turned around, charging again. Zvi swirled the jacket and snapped it so hard that it tore. He hugged Benzion, and the dancing resumed.
When people approach him and tell him what a terrible speech it was, he knows he struck a chord and he considers it a good speech.
September 4, 2026 
