יום רביעי, כ״ז אלול תשפ״וWednesday, September 9, 2026
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When I first moved to Israel, one of the cultural elements that I found – and still find – difficult to accept is the widespread use of first names when speaking with respected members of an older generation.
I noticed that he paused when Yehuda said that he bought the ring with his credit card, and then carried on. Why did Rabbi Reiss pause?
A Confession “Payment For Humiliation And Depreciation ...” (Ketubbot 41a)
Just as the bat can navigate through the darkness by utilizing echolocation, so too must we learn how to navigate the darkness of exile using the ‘echolocation’ provided for us by the Torah and our leaders.
When we make a big deal out of a Shabbos it allows the message of the holy day to make a bigger difference in our lives and in our connection to Hashem and His Torah.
An Auto Accident “All Agree That They Are Exempt [Of Any Monetary Payment]” (Kesubbos 35a)
If we had given Mr. Rodriguez a paycheck, and he never cashed it, added Mr. Sender, would you say there, also, that we have to make out a new check to him, even if he didn't ask?
Our nation was alive! We had risen from the ashes. Hashem had restored His light to His children and shown us that we were a nation of miracles.
When someone is subjected to the same experience day and after day, no matter how awe-inspiring, terrifying or intriguing it is, eventually it becomes trite and loses its intrigue. Eventually it becomes nothing more than background noise.
The key question is whether they can be done in a different, more modest context. It would seem to me that nowadays the scenario of "no other route" is very uncommon. Myriad options are open to us, and we must avail ourselves of them.
Forever After? ‘Obligated for Challah and Not Terumah’ (Kesubos 25a)
Once you gave notice that you are terminating the rental early, argued Mr. Tanenbaum, you gave up whatever rights you have in the apartment. I disagree, said Mr. Mandel. Until we return the property to you, we retain the usage rights!
All these mitzvot are in order that the poor people of your town be able to eat. I see it as doing a ‘reset’ once in seven years, he says.
During my late teen years, on one occasion I went with a few friends to a theme park on Chol HaMoed and brought a knapsack full of stuffed animals from my house. Once we entered the park, I took them out and walked around holding them.
Amusement parks and rest stops have primary functions. To hinder other people from enjoying those functions because we are standing in the middle of their path is repugnant.
Every fall and spring, several times each season, Mr. Brown would clean his property of the leaves and flowers that Mr. Green's tree shed.
The Threat Of Death “Sign or Else…” (Kesubos 19a)
Contrary to popular misconception, the bar mitzvah is not truly the exact moment that a boy becomes obligated to observe the mitzvot.
To ignore that zchut and davka to look to eat yevul nochri is in my humble opinion like ignoring the miraculous zchut that HaKadosh Baruch Hu gave us in our times.
.It is not enough to purchase the means to perform mitzvos on the highest level, we also need to have an appreciation of the meaning, essence, and laws regarding the mitzvah.
Conveying the importance of good hygiene goes beyond the issue of sunscreen. It entails maintaining and teaching a healthy lifestyle.
Tethered To The Mother ‘…If She Is Fit, Her Daughter Is Also Fit…’ (Kesubbos 13b)
When word got out to the congregants about the proposed plan, Mr. Ackerman, who sat by the break, objected to the plan.
Not only does wine exempt regular beverages from a blessing, it even exempts watery foods, such as certain yogurts and ice cream, from a blessing, as well.
The laws of shemittah apply only to produce grown within the boundaries of Eretz Yisrael. Exactly where the boundaries extend is a matter of halachic discussion.
The trees that were not watered with sprinklers had to develop deeper roots into the ground to ensure that they would receive the nutrients and water they needed.
Our lives are gifts from Hashem; as much as we aspire to eternal life in Olam Haba, that can only be attained by properly exploiting our opportunities for spiritual growth in this world.
In the morning, Asher approached Yehuda. I saw that your bike was unlocked, and thought I'd take a spin, he said. Unfortunately, I rode over a nail on the road, and the inner tube got punctured.
A Joy And A Blessing “Rejoicing All Seven Days…” (Kesubos 4b)
You have to [let the land lie fallow] with full emunah. I understand when people say it’s difficult.
I told her that I was impressed that she had the humility to listen and make a change.
In more recent times, the late Satmar Rebbe is quoted as having said, If women knew the reward that awaits those who bake challot for Shabbat, bakeries wouldn’t sell a single challah.
I was thrilled when we leased a new car a few years ago and found that it had what I dubbed shalom bayis controls. Both driver and passenger have their own setting for heat and air conditioning.
It’s true that people have fallen into addiction from small exposures to gambling but it seems that this is not a concern for most of us.
An Explosion In The Trench “With A Glowing Hot Knife” (Yevamos 120b)
In the case of a rescuer or an advocate, though, the employer knows from the beginning that the outcome is uncertain, and he hires the rescuer or advocate with this understanding.
It goes without saying that it is not always so simple to secure such a letter. Very often, the one who initiated the breakup will be expected to make financial amends to the other party in order to obtain it.
The people waiting for the adjacent elevator suddenly saw two slices of pizza fly out of the elevator followed by a religious bearded fellow climbing out of the elevator.
Of course, it is desirable to daven with a minyan. Unfortunately, there are times, not only when one is on vacation but also in business or on an airplane that one finds oneself in situations that a minyan cannot be secured.
Life Before The Printed Word “A Revi’is of Blood” (Yevamos 114a-b)
Tur, however, cites from Ramah that the minimal obligation of Tanach is for someone who is unable to educate more, but one who can, is obligated (chayav) to teach his son Mishnah, Gemara, halachos and aggados.
One is permitted to wash dishes that give off an unpleasant smell or will attract flies and other insects. So too, one who is disturbed by the sight of dirty dishes piling up in one's sink or kitchen is permitted to wash them.
It’s so easy for us to become overwhelmed with daily affairs that we forget about the needs of others. It may not be as life-changing as a new position, but even a phone call seeking our assistance or advice can be painful if not returned.
The Rav is not considered a shomer aveidah on the boxes, since the owner should arrange to take them. Furthermore, although he was a guardian for the two months, he is no longer so, since he previously told the owner to take the boxes
Mitzvah Or Kinyan? ‘…Both Shall Have Intention At The Same Time …’ (Yevamos 102b)
It is not entirely clear, however, if the Menorah depicted on the Arch of Titus is how the Menorah actually looked in the Beit HaMikdash... In fact, there are opinions within the Talmud that the Menorah’s lights were not even positioned in a straight line, as is commonly believed.
My father looked at me, motioned towards the boxes, and said ‘C’mon, it’s the right thing to do!’
The challenge in all these areas is to somehow control that the information that the person is seeking to insure is beneficial for the Torah Jew and the moral growth of the individual.
Who said there's any problem here of ribbis? You didn't lend your client anything. He withheld your payment, which was wrong of him in the first place! He owes you some compensation!
A Kohen Of Choice ‘…A Deaf-Mute, A Mentally Challenged Person, A Minor…’ (Yevamos 99b)
If one changes location in the middle of a meal that includes bread, one is not required to recite a new blessing upon one's return. This is true even if one is eating alone.
Some people politely greeted me and asked who I was and what I was doing there. For the evening, I explained that I was the new husband of the former Chani Mermelstein.
A Posted Picture Saves The Day “In Order To Avoid Igun…” (Yevamos 88a)
Our children are facing a world we could never have imagined. They have learned words like pandemic and PCR tests, seen grisly photos of war and urban shootings, and heard of ugly anti-Semitic attacks that never seemed possible.
Many authorities rule that the custom to wait until nightfall on Shavuot only applies to the recitation of Kiddush.6 It would be permissible, however, to recite Maariv before this time.
Mr. Furst was stunned for a moment. It's not quite the same, he replied. You have no connection to the land. Even though the fruit is hefker, the land is still mine!
Flowers symbolize the need for constant effort to maintain and build even the best relationships.
What is not so internalized is the realization that our success in life daily depends on our performance while davening.
Reward And Punishment “Ma’aser Rishon for the Leviim” (Yevamos 86a)
I’m sorry, replied the repairman. I checked the mixer on Friday, but forgot about it this week. Tomorrow I can't work on it, but can have the mixer ready by Friday afternoon.
Before the Jewish people received the Torah they only had the seven mitzvot bnei No’ach to observe. Upon receiving the Torah, however, another 606 mitzvot were added.
One of the criticisms of our society’s child-rearing is that we aren’t sufficiently training children to think for themselves. Children quickly learn how to spit back the information we want them to say, record it on tests, and tell us what we want to hear them say.
I can think of fewer things that are guaranteed to make a person unhappy. ... No one is showing their ups and downs on social media.
By Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)
The rules of the sabbatical year, shmita, require farmers to desist from working and open up their fields, with all their produce, to anyone.
Fetal Immersion? ‘The Fetus Is A Limb Of It’s Mother’ (Yevamos 78a)
A person who steals is required to return the item itself when it is still intact, replied Rabbi Dayan. He cannot suffice with returning its value without the owner's consent.
Since the soul of one who converts is transformed into a Jewish soul upon conversion, it follows, therefore, that a convert is perfectly entitled to recite this blessing just like everyone else.
As the rain dripped upon the bag atop my head, and my toes began to wrinkle inside my drenched socks, I could only marvel at the appreciation Rabbi Miller had for every aspect of creation.
Halacha demands that we live a disciplined life. We must develop our self-control. Kosher apps are fine but the devious, non-kosher mind will find a way around them too.
No Fault Lines “…His Father And Mother Were In Prison…’ (Yevamos 71b)
I didn't mean for it to be taken, said Mr. Fisher. I was just getting it out of the way. Still, you should have moved it aside to a safe place, replied his wife, not on the curb on pick-up day.
One day Zayda heard the tragic news. Everyone had been killed in the gas chambers. There was no one left. Zayda was the only one who had survived. My mother watched as her father, in one of his most terrible moments of his entire life, gave out an anguished cry to the heavens above.
The reason why the day is called Lag B’Omer and not Lag L’Omer is that Lag B’Omer is the gematria of the word Moshe. This emphasizes the belief that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was a reincarnation of Moshe Rabbeinu and that he reached the same levels of greatness that Moshe did.
Rabbi Akiva gathered five students and taught them Torah. The fact that whereas previously thousands had gathered to hear and savor his every word and now he had only five did not deter him.
The question isn’t whether it’s proper to own a smartphone; the question is: are we responsible enough to use smartphones wisely?
After hearing the sides, beis din concluded that the liability for the repairs was subject to an unresolved dispute between the poskim.
The Daughters Are Mine, The Sons Are Mine “Grandchildren Are Like Children” (Yevamos 62b)
According to a number of authorities, a mohel is not required to inconvenience himself and forgo spending Shabbat with his family in order to perform a brit.
For frum Jews there is a much more significant concern because the earliest time for Shacharis may be well after 8 a.m. Having to daven so late will complicate things for the masses who need to be at work by 9 a.m. or earlier, as well as for our yeshivos.
The Decree Of 1587 “Two Kabs Of Dinars Were Given… To King Yanai” (Yevamos 61a)
Rav Asher Weiss discusses the Jewish minhag of Shlissel Challah.
Although there is no mention of any restrictions on listening to music during sefira in any of the early halachic codes, it has become a widespread custom8 to refrain from doing so.
Ever Vigilant ‘When Unworthy, One’s Number Of Years Is Reduced’ (Yevamos 50a)
When Yom Tov begins on Wednesday night (in Galus), the eruv tavshilin ceremony is performed on Wednesday and when Yom Tov begins on Thursday night it is performed on Thursday, in each case by the head of the household.
Where Frequency Matters ‘… We Forbid Haircutting and Laundering...’ (Yevamos 43b)
Leah just called to say that they would like to come for the Seder! Mrs. Brand told her husband. It seems that her in-laws are sick. Do we have enough matzah for them?
Although ideally the Omer should be counted immediately at nightfall, it is pushed off in deference to ma'ariv and the recitation of Shema, which must be recited first.
Achashveirosh was concerned that in an effort to mitigate his shame, Haman would mumble the words he was instructed to repeat. In this way, Haman’s proclamation would just sound like ranting gibberish.
In its crudest sense, d’chak refers to “pushing” somebody out of his spot with the intention that somebody else will take his position; in that case, the main intention is not to hurt the one who is pushed away but to benefit the one who replaces him.
Pesach was meant to be celebrated in the land of Israel. That is the Torah’s clear intention, and even if there is no formal mitzvah of aliyah l’regel today.
If one is unsure whether or not a particular food item is subject to the penalty of chametz she'avar alav hapesach, one is permitted to derive benefit from the item, though it remains forbidden to be eaten.
Informing The Decision “Found To Be With Child” (Yevamos 35b)
The rule is that you cannot use maaser kesafim (tithing) for obligations that are incumbent on you, replied Rabbi Dayan. This is true even when the money will be used for poor people.
Rabbi Wein would caution us to remember every word we tell our parents as 16-year-olds because we will hear it repeated verbatim 25 years down the pike.
It is the tradition of the Jewish people that matters, proponents argue, and the fact that the Geonim and many Rishonim endorse the 600,000 standard demonstrates that divine providence has orchestrated its inclusion in the halachic canon.
As far as the Torah is concerned the opposite may be said: we are to make the pursuit of the spiritual our life mission and make do with what we have in the material realm.
The survey itself is skewed, written in a style that clearly wants to advance identifying publicly with flags representing grave sins. This is dishonest and unethical in itself.
In this story, the witnesses were paid to deliver false testimony, Reuven said. What about honest testimony, though?
The Ban Of The Communities “Impaired Chalitza” (Yevamos 26b)
Many companies manufacturing baby wipes claim that the wipes are manufactured with the objective that the soapy liquid remain on the surface of the wipe and not be overly absorbed into it.
September 4, 2026 
