יום ראשון, ב׳ תשרי תשפ״זSunday, September 13, 2026
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Wolfing down mass quantities is inadvisable and is gluttony masquerading as some sort of religious fulfillment.
After davening, Mr. Shapiro took down the hand luggage and went through it carefully. The envelope with the money was missing!
A Unique Challenge “Tithe, You Shall Tithe…” (Ta’anis 9a)
Like the city of Shechem, the shechem (shoulder) in the body can be embracing or distancing; it all depends on one’s attitude and approach.
Vihi noam and v’atah kadosh should be recited slowly and prolonged somewhat. This is because punishment in Gehenom is suspended from the beginning of Shabbat until the end of Ma’ariv after Shabbat.
Like the bayit, she’er also refers specifically to one’s spouse. This may be because of the sacred bond of flesh that exists between man and wife.
Bars, by definition, are places where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages … a classic place for idle chatter, gossip, and excessive frivolity.
The whole idea of an auction is to see what price I can get for the item. You chose, of your own volition, to pay $10 and outbid the previous bidder!
Pidyon Haben In The Afternoon? ‘…The First Reads Aloud The Hallel’ (Rosh Hashana 32b)
If we try to force our children (and adults) to follow a narrow and rigid one-size-fits-all derech, then we are guilty of creating a metaphorical Sodom bed.
It is noted that according to gematria the phrase "Elokei Avraham, Elokei Yitzchak, V'elokei Yaakov," has the same numerical value as the names of the Matriarchs.
It is worth reiterating that playing these games should be a temporary pause from the more spiritual pursuits of the day – and not the focus of Shabbat itself. That focus is properly divine service and the perfection of our souls.
The Shofar On Shabbos “Rosh Hashana That Occurred on Shabbos” (Rosh Hashana 29b)
I would like the cassettes back! said Yuval. There are some collector's items in the collection, and I still use a cassette player.
…when we invariably resort to our old habits, we think we have failed…Rosh Chodesh is a monthly renewal to “get up and come” back on track.
When someone close to us is suffering we are often at a loss. What should I say? What should I do? We do not want to be the cause of any more pain.
Another explanation for the custom is based on a concern that a woman's hair might become unintentionally exposed from under her wig or other hair covering.
Even though we are two Jews with three opinions, we must always maintain one heart.
Sanctified For Now And Thereafter “In Front of the Sun or Behind It?” (Rosh Hashana 23b)
"The report does not show any violation," Chaim told Josh. "If there were any sidewalk violations, this report would show them!"
Within that degenerate ocean, however, are islands – paradise islands for the soul and oases of divine connection.
The ban on doing business with non-kosher foods was instituted as a precautionary measure to help ensure that one does not come to accidentally eat them. It is permitted, however, to do business involving foods that are only non-kosher due to rabbinic decree.
We as Jews should be more sensitive to racial/ethnic jokes and slurs when we take into account our long history – and the persecution we encountered in the course of our long exile.
Appreciating His Infinite Mercy ‘I Am He Before The Person Sins…’ (Rosh Hashanah 17b)
I'm willing to take responsibility for the check, offered Yossi. If the issuer defaults, I will remain obligated to you.
Laughing together at a Shabbos table helps bring the family together and allows the beautiful kedusha of the seudah to penetrate more and be more memorable.
It is permitted to engage in routine activities or movements even if one’s intention might be for the exercise.
Obviously, it is at least a Rabbinic mandate to love one's spouse in addition to the love one must have for every other Jew.
"To be honest, I don't remember clearly," replied Mr. Silver. "We did discuss repaying, but I don't remember whether in the end Mr. Kaplan paid. I assume, though, that since I didn't return the loan document to him, the loan was not paid, but cannot say for sure."
Sanctified For Its Time… ‘Within Thirty Days Of The Shemittah Year’ (Rosh Hashana 10b)
If these past 18 months taught us anything it is that no one knows what the day holds. We are not in control.
In no area of halacha should one assume that an action is permissible just because there is no punishment for its violation.
I tell my students that now the words in their new Gemara look like they are in a foreign language. (To be fair, they are written in a foreign language.…)
Does it really pay to jaywalk even if you reason that the odds are on your side? Do you really want to place your life in odds hand?
Hillel’s Innovation “The Second Month Of Solomon’s Rule” (Rosh Hashana 2b)
One who knows of Jews who are counterfeiting money is required to report them to the authorities. So, too, Jews who engage in activities that will endanger the well-being of the Jewish community may be informed upon as well.
What do you want from me? asked the contractor. I was not involved in doing the damage. If the worker was careless, you can sue him; speak with him directly.
The visiting woman was so shaken by the tragic story that she began to sob. She couldn’t get over what happened to Yosef.
Is it proper to fill one's sentences with "baruch Hashem,” "im yirtzeh Hashem," and "bli neder"?
I don't know whether to give you my Hebrew or English name, explained David, my first name or full name, with my father's name and nickname or without.
A Woman’s Oneg Yom Tov “You Shall Call The Shabbos A Delight” (Beiza 34b)
There is even a view that one who forgot to recite asher yatzar after relieving oneself and then remembers the omission after relieving oneself again some time later is to recite asher yatzar twice, one after the other. However, the halacha is not in accordance with this view.
When I was young, despite my protestations, my parents insisted that I eat gefilte fish. On one difficult occasion, I forced down the gefilte fish. As soon as I did, I felt that the fish was davening to Hashem to be rescued from inside my stomach.
The first option was clearly the cheapest, but Mendy didn't have the $4,000 readily available and didn't know how much he would sell. He considered the other two options and consulted with his chavrusa, who had some experience selling arba’ah minim.
Altered States “Examining A Bechor Is Not The Same As Examining A Tereifa” (Bezah 27a)
A woman who does not have the custom to drink some of the wine upon which Kiddush was recited is certainly permitted to answer amen to the shehecheyanu blessing.
Reckoning Time “Three Festivals Even Out Of Order” (Beizah 19b)
The shemittah year cancels outstanding loans that are past due, although nowadays, we usually write a pruzbul to allow collecting loans past shemittah, based on an enactment of Hillel.
Today, when we enjoy the benefit of a fixed calendar, we continue to observe two days of Yom Tov in the Diaspora even though we know exactly when the holidays are to be observed. This is based on the requirement to “follow the customs of our ancestors."
If a person who lived in a place without the ability to build a sukkah still had access to a communal sukkah, there would be no limitation on renting or buying such a domicile.
Belaboring The Point “Since It Is Permitted Where Necessary, It Is Permitted Even Where Not Necessary ” (Bezah 12a)
Although one might think that the solution to this problem is to allow one’s child to recite the blessing on one’s lulav with the explicit condition that the child does not acquire the lulav, this is incorrect.
What is the connection between my clothless haircuts, new shoes, barehanded weed whacking and this time of year?
"Look, there's a sticker on the truck: ‘How's my driving? 1-800-…’" Mrs. Fine said. "Do you think we should call?" "I always wonder about this," said Mr. Fine. "What if it adversely affects the driver's job? Maybe it's just a one time thing."
Now In Our Day And Age But On The Second Day [Of Yom Tov] Jews May Engage In His Burial’ (Beza 6a)
One year my brother asked “Zayda, why do you give the same exact speech every year before Yizkor? My Zayda answered with tears. “Because every year it is the same thing. Machlokes eats up our families, eats up our homes, and eats up Klal Yisroel.”
There is also a widespread custom to avoid eating sour or bitter foods on Rosh Hashana in order not to arouse any “bitter” influences for the coming year.
Elul is about focus and awareness. It’s about reminding ourselves throughout the day that Hashem is always with us – at work, on vacation, in the pool, on the basketball court, when we are surfing the net, when we are alone in our bedrooms and when we are eating.
How much significance should we place in eating the Simanim foods and saying Yehi Ratzon on Rosh Hashana?
What A Difference A Day Makes ‘Rav Rules: First [We Recite The Blessing For] Sukkah Then Zeman [Shehecheyanu] (Sukkah 56a)
In most congregations, the rabbi or other official makes an announcement immediately prior to the blowing of the shofar reminding the congregation that conversation is forbidden from this point onwards until the shofar blasts have been concluded.
Two weeks passed, and nobody called for the bag. The bungalow was emptying, and Yoni's family was going back to the city in two days.
One of the biggest impediments is our desire for quick fixes and instant accomplishments. The long road intimidates us, and we lack patience for it. But true accomplishment requires patience, resilience and perseverance.
While there are many advantages of technology, such as convenience and communication, one of the great downsides is social media.
In this case, you are the employer and Rabbi Lerner the employee. When David did not attend the scheduled learning session, this is comparable to an employer who retracted.
Full Or ‘Abridged’ Hallel ‘One Is Obligated To Recite The Hallel’ (Sukkah 48a)
If one perceives that, rather than seeing his own decisions as determinative of his fate, Divine providence is guiding the result, then considering that there’s a halachic mandate to follow professional medical advice (see Taz, YD 336), the conclusion is most clearly in line with the dominant medical consensus.
We are told that one should choose the most righteous person possible to serve as the sandek (and as mohel as well for that matter). This is because we are taught that the one who serves as sandek will have an impact on the child’s spiritual development.
The path towards growth and accomplishment doesn’t follow a straight line. In fact, there isn’t one uniform path to follow. Each of us has our own arc, our own journey and our own process to arrive at our charted and coveted destination.
Many of the societies that were exquisitely sensitive to the treatment of animals were often quite callous and sadistic to their resident Jews.
Obstructing A Lulav, Sukkah Or Shofar “Beautification is Not an Interposition” (Sukkah 37a)
"Excuse me for asking," said Yehuda. "But is that okay? It sounds a little like ribbis to me."
The primary reason that we gaze at our fingernails as part of the blessing over the fire is to ensure that we benefit somehow from the light of the fire.
The prizes speak for themselves, but the hype generates the excitement that propels the event to a different level.
Is it proper to give an aliyah to one who has a seirev issued against him by a reputable beis din? Generally how should one interact with such a person?
"I'm very happy for you and your family," said the director, "but I can't let you go without first getting someone else. You know that swimming is one of the most essential parts of the camp day."
A Grafted Esrog “Passul When Missing Even a Tiny Bit” (Sukkah 34b)
There are those who interpret the ruling of the Rema in a manner that would allow bread to be declared mezonot as long as the liquid component of the dough consists of more fruit juice than water.
The Gemara relates that one of the signs of the times for the generation prior to Moshiach is that there will be a proliferation of chutzpah.
I hear your words as if you are standing here at my side. You will not be silent. “The world is on fire and we are sleeping! Wake up! Hashem is talking to us.” There was never a moment that you would rest.
Where it can be arranged such as a designated pray area away from the public’s way, then there should be no problem with forming a minyan for prayer. In fact doing so offers the public at large... great spiritual protection, as our prayers are not only for us, but for humanity at large as well.
The Flighty Customer ‘Scribes Who Write Torah Scrolls And Mezuzos …Are Exempt From Kerias Shema And Prayer…’ (Sukkah 26a)
Mr. Feder checked his initial communication with the agent. He had written the correct dates, and the error was clearly the agent's. "Why should we have to pay the surcharge?" Mrs. Feder asked her husband. "It was the agent's error, not ours!"
If it looks like bread, tastes like bread, and is used like bread, then it must be treated like bread, regardless of its level of sweetness.
There exists an unfair balance in our world between building and destroying. While building needs planning and painstaking attention, and is accomplished step by step and layer by layer, destroying is easier and quicker.
Is it proper for a husband/father or wife/mother to leave their family for an extended period of time?
It is entirely permissible for parents to find out the gender of their baby should they choose to do so. There is also nothing wrong with parents revealing to their friends and family their baby's gender.
I spent Shabbat in a Sefardi community, where cycling is common, and saw a teen whose bicycle chain had come off…. I exclaimed: “How great are the words of our Sages!”
What Constitutes Schach? “Schach Boards” (Sukkah 14a)
There is much discussion as to exactly when the first Beit HaMikdash was destroyed. According to one account, it was destroyed on the 7th of Av, while according to another account, it was destroyed on the 10th of Av.
My father did mention at one point that he owed you a few thousand dollars, acknowledged the son. That could be anything, though – two, three, four… How can you expect us to pay a large sum of $7,000 without any proof of how much was owed?
It is axiomatic that in Judaism we don’t merely commemorate or mark historical events. There is little purpose in celebrating or mourning the past.
Perhaps one should better go to sleep than engage in these pursuits, if he can't properly engage his focus on the sadness of the day.
The Face of Holiness “Inscribed on the Tzitz HaZahav” (Sukkah 5a)
In order to properly understand the prohibition of greeting others on Tisha B'Av and what it entails, one must first understand what the definition of sheilat shalom truly is.
"But I told you that we pay $12," replied Mrs. Sander. "When you said that you could babysit, I assumed you meant at the price I mentioned."
Ultimately, Yirmiyah was painfully vindicated. At that point, as the shamed nation was being led into exile, they cried. But by then it was too late.
I would be comfortable with nature hikes, short family trips, small gatherings – activities that are more contemplative in character and that do not undermine the character of these days.
All For The Boss ‘Praiseworthy Is One Whose Transgression Is Forgiven, Whose Sins Are Covered’ (Yoma 86b)
Furthermore, you deserve $10 for your effort on my behalf. I'm not giving the $10 because you laid out the money.
September 11, 2026 
