יום חמישי, ט״ז אב תשפ״וThursday, July 30, 2026
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At this point the Gemara assumes that it is improper to commit a sin even in order to achieve a higher purpose, such as fulfillment of the overall mitzvah.
Like people, relationships have ups and downs. They do not remain static and require constant nurturing and attention to maintain and enhance them.
He assumed it probably wasn’t a problem, but his uncertainty held him back. Was exchanging bills considered using company money? Was borrowing temporarily any different?
Something Borrowed, Something Blue “‘You Shall See It’ To Exclude A Nighttime Garment” (Menachos 43a)
Our forefather Yaakov was described as a wandering Aramean (see Devarim 26:5 pashut p’shat, Ibn Ezra and Rashbam). The Jewish experience is to wander and spread out into the world, like our forefathers did. But the Jew maintains his identity and morals in the outside world by wearing tzitzis.
The truth is that much of life is spent waiting. On a simple level, when the world is functioning normally, we wait on store lines, in traffic, for packages to arrive, etc. But on a more significant level, we wait for all sorts of salvations and panaceas.
Miriam opened it slowly. Inside was the dress – her initial order. She stared at it, conflicted. After everything they put me through, she thought, do I really need to give this back?
Is a Shortened Lulav Kosher? “Remnants of Tzitzis are Kosher” (Menachos 38b)
What does it mean to see G-d’s back? In Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah (1:10), Rambam explains that even when one does not see a person’s face, one can still recognize them by seeing their back, provided one knows them well.
There are many lessons and reflections to be gleaned from the surreal events that have taken hold of the world during the Coronavirus pandemic. One of those lessons is a reminder about the effect and influence of every single individual.
The wedding was beautiful, baruch Hashem, and the pictures came out nicely. Still, when the dust settled, the added expense lingered in Mr. Simcha’s mind.
A Sefer Torah That Fell “As Though Bitten by a Snake” (Menachos 32b)
The massive armada of vehicles and people to personally search for the remains of the last Israeli hostage – police officer Ran Gvili – will be forever etched into the minds and hearts not just of Jews but of people of good will throughout the world.
Fathers must consider that beyond their financial inheritance, there is a spiritual yerusha that is their true inheritance. A life occupied with hours spent in the office or making deals but at the cost of family life is not a yerusha after all.
I will add a comparison between the altar and this stone. The altar represented service to G-d. In serving G-d, one goes gradually up and ascends a ramp. There can be no rush-jobs in approaching G-d – at least from our side of the relationship.
I have noted in this column that it’s a beautiful feeling to have nachas from one’s parents. I should add that the same is true about having nachas from one’s siblings.
If I saw the hat, I could probably identify it, suggested David Baruch. I’m able to recognize it on the coatrack even though there are many similar hats.
Apples and Oranges “Two Menachos Were Mixed but the Handfuls Were Not Taken” (Menachos 23a)
Much of our reality is constructed by our personal beliefs. If we believe in forgiveness, we can be forgiving of others as well as ourselves.
Rabbi Moshe Weinberger notes that although to the uneducated person it seems that a tree’s entire growth is dependent on the nourishment it receives from its roots in the ground, that is actually not the case.
His chavrusa considered this carefully. A pledge to tzedakah is binding, he said. The question is whether placing money in the shul’s box is considered delivery to the shul – or if it’s still your responsibility until the shul’s treasurer actually receives it.
Tum’ah, representing death and the vacuum of G-d’s life-force, brings impurity. But humans have free will, and when it comes to our loss of connection to G-d, we must also reach out and cannot receive blanket dispensation.
Providing a needy person with employment is considered the highest form of tzedakah because it preserves his self-dignity (Y.D. 249:6; Shach 249:7), replied Rabbi Dayan.
Double Trouble? “Two Handfuls” (Menachos 11b)
When someone invests in any project, there is a sense of ownership and pride that creates a stronger bond. This is an important principle in chinuch as well, especially in our times where discipline is much less about punishment and more about motivation via “chains of love” (the famous words of the Chazon Ish, Y.D. 2:28).
It’s not exactly the advice you might have expected from a leading Torah personality. But the truth is that one immersed in Torah wisdom has a keen and deep understanding of human personality and motivation.
Shimon spoke up. The hammock was fine when we were on it until Dovid joined, he said. He pushed it over the limit – it’s his fault.
Intrinsic, Danger, or Dilution? “From That Allowed to Jews” (Menachos 5a)
The reima is described in the Talmud as an animal so large that it was of mythic dimensions, and even its cub was described as too large to fit onto Noach’s ark, but it survived the flood by clinging onto the boat, according to Rabbi Yochanan, with only its head within the boat.
One of the most famous and oft-quoted Yiddishisms is der mentsch tracht un Gut lacht – Man plans and G-d laughs. Its clear message is that we have no guarantees or assurances that we will be able to follow through on anything.
Apparently, the angel miraculously ascended along with the flames, indicating acceptance of Manoach’s offering. This is not a typical encounter with an angel; other Biblical figures encountered angels without such a dramatic departure. What is the meaning of this?
Who could envision the massacre on a serene beach in Australia while lighting the Chanukah menorah? Who could contemplate the vicious mobs shouting to ‘globalize the intifada’, taking over shopping malls, college campuses and city sights? All this while jihadists in suits call out ‘there is only one solution’, for the extermination of our land and people.
The Torah (Vayikra 27:8) states that if a person pledges his erech (age-based value) to the Temple treasury but it is beyond his financial means, the Kohen evaluates how much he can pay, and the person pays only that sum, replied Rabbi Dayan.
A Light Unto the Nations “The Sound Thereof Traveled from One End…To the Other…” (Zevachim 116a)
Just as the country began to heal, the unthinkable arrived. October 7, 2023. A day that will be remembered as one of the darkest in Jewish history.
We see that in the end, by hook or by crook, so to speak, Og got his merit. Noach might have sensed this potential via Ruach HaKodesh and wanted to avoid it. By the way, this merit came even though, according to the aggadah, Og had an ulterior motive: He was hoping Avraham would die in battle and he could possess Sarah as a wife.
Every pasuk, every Mishna and every line of Gemara; every mitzvah, every chesed, and every word of tefillah – make us part of the royal family.
If partners need to divide property, and A can benefit by receiving a specific half whereas to B there is no difference, must he allow A to take the beneficial half?
To Him Shall You Hearken “One Who Offers Up Nowadays” (Zevachim 107b)
If a non-kosher substance falls into a pot, it is normally nullified by 60 times a permitted substance. If, at a later time, more non-kosher falls in, the nullification may use the entire mixture as a permitted substance to nullify the new material.
At one point, I left my seat and made my way down to try my luck and see if I could get onto the field. I was indeed able to, and I walked right up to the dais.
If the product clearly cannot live up to its stated specs, there would presumably be a violation of misleading advertising, which could fall under the rubric of geneivas daas. This does not serve as basis, though, to void the sale and entitle the customer to a refund.
A Discussion in the Privy “Rav Quotes Elazar ben Rabbi Shimon” (Zevachim 102b)
The words offered it up for a burnt offering in place of his son seem redundant: Given the storyline, it is obvious that the ram was being brought as an offering in place of Yitzchak. Why does the Torah emphasize in place of his son?
Of course, we have to do our part to ensure our safety, in whatever ways are necessary and appropriate. But on a spiritual level, our response is always to strive to increase light – the very light our enemies seek to extinguish.
Avi stared at the gash. What a wild rider… that’s really bad luck, he murmured. The coat was clearly damaged, but Avi shrugged helplessly – he certainly hadn’t caused the tear.
A Saline Solution “Its Soaking Is Its Laundering” (Zevachim 94b)
A goat represents impetuousness, as it jumps about and often in the Gemara is a symbol of an animal that breaks boundaries (Sukkah 14b). Holding back from eating the first fruits until a portion is dedicated to G-d represents patience.
Judaism believes that it’s not so much what I know as what/who I am! Book knowledge isn’t worth much, if that knowledge doesn’t cause a transformation within the person.
I honestly don’t know whether that chair was already cracked or if it broke while I was loading the chairs, Nosson said. If it was my fault, I want to pay for it. Mr. Adler examined the chair. Hard to know, he replied. I don’t inspect the chairs individually when people return them. Let’s ask Rabbi Dayan what the halacha is.
Even Eruv Tavshilin! “One Might Have Thought That We Remove the Tendons…” (Zevachim 86a)
We are given clear direction. When you look around the world and feel frightened. When the darkness feels crushing. Take another look.
We also have another teaching: Any item that is suited to be consumed by the fire (ishim) on the altar shall not descend. A person who attains a position of leadership – a play on the word ishim, which can also connote a prestigious person – may allow some degree of honor and bearing in order to maintain authority, provided he is pure and sincere in his motives.
Later that day, Daniel called Mr. Sorscher. I know that you worked hard,” he said apologetically. “But I’m being relocated. Since I can’t take the place in the end, I assume I’m not obligated to pay the full fee.
A Matter Of Doubt “When You Make [Four] Applications [Of Blood], You Transgress…” (Zevachim 80a)
Each sacrifice’s range of time to consume represents the experience of holiness and influence (hispashtus) that it is supposed to have.
Rabbi Glatt offered viewers some strategies for handling potential conflicts between religious law and court practice, including politely explaining the religious practice to the court.
A lack of derech eretz or moral clarity in children is frequently a reflection of what they witness, or fail to witness, in their parents.
In an age of rampant antisemitism – when Jewish people are vilified, targeted, and mocked – this silence becomes even harder to justify. When the world scorns us, unity should come naturally.
some authorities are stringent and prohibit buying raffle tickets with maaser money or rule that if the ticket was purchased with maaser money, the prize belongs to tzedakah.
A Light Mix-up “Anything That Is Counted…” (Zevachim 73a)
G-d in relation to the world is one giant kal v’chomer. After all, in essence, a kal v’chomer says that if you have the lighter item, surely you have the stronger item.
For those of us who have the merit and privilege to study the timeless words of Gemara, the thumb plays a particularly significant role. We can hardly imagine learning Gemara, trying to explain a particularly challenging novel exegetical explanation, without passionately thrusting our thumb downward and then upward.
Baruch didn’t really suspect Yosef of stealing, but the problem of the missing $500 needed to be clarified.
No Halacha Is Irrelevant “Anticipating The Arrival of Moshiach”
The ashes represent Yitzchak’s (and Avraham’s) willingness to completely eliminate their egos in service and recognition of G-d. When that level of self-obliteration is accomplished, no physical sacrifice is necessary.
This is not the time for lengthy speeches. Now is the time to proceed.
Can we prevent outside people from selling in our community when it affects our businesses adversely?
The Fat of the Land “Only Those Whose Chelev Are Forbidden…” (Zevachim 70a)
My mother and her siblings became malachim of Shabbos in the Gehennom of Bergen Belsen. It was a message that was held onto. To be the angel of Shabbos infused my mother with a sacred light, and the power to be greater than her fears.
When the verse says about the Mishkan (Shemos 25:9), And so you shall do, and the Gemara (Sanhedrin 16b) infers so you shall do for the generations, it means that we all can create a dwelling place for the Shechinah within ourselves.
During my youth I couldn’t wait until my bar mitzvah when I would be able to start putting on tefillin. I still have a clear memory as an eleven-year-old sitting on my bed thinking my bar mitzvah is never going to arrive.
When the rule of shi’abuda d’Rabi Nosson applies, such as if B does not have other assets available, Shulchan Aruch (C.M. 86:5) rules that B cannot forgo C’s debt to him, nor extend the time of the loan and thereby undermine A’s right, since A has a direct claim against C based on this principle.
A Matter of Merit “They Added Four Amos” (Zevachim 61b)
Why should tzara’as that spreads over the entire body result in purity? One would think it would indicate the opposite – corruption beyond repair.
Every Shabbos, we put aside all technology. We are perhaps the only community in the world who are active members of society all week and yet won’t check emails, social media, or the news for twenty-five hours.
This is a personal decision, not even between patients and doctors because doctors will almost always recommend a flu shot.
The Gemara (B.M. 112b; Shevuos 45b-46a) teaches that when the parties dispute the amount of agreed wages, hamotzi meichaveiro alav har’aya – the burden of proof is on the one seeking payment, like other monetary disputes, replied Rabbi Dayan (C.M. 89:4).
Two Talleisim ‘The Residue of the Blood He Spills…’ (Zevachim 51a)
As Mishlei (25:2) states, It is the glory of G-d to conceal a matter. A relationship must have privacy and sacred boundaries, honoring the bond both from within and without.
I’m not a Washington fan, so why did I care about their Cinderella-like saga? Because being in the world of education, it symbolizes a vital truth that can’t be stressed enough: That ultimately the hundreds don’t matter.
Terms agreed upon before the beginning of a rental are binding even without a kinyan since the rental usage itself serves as a kinyan for the agreed-upon terms.
Reaching One’s Objective ‘… The One in Thought and the Other Silently’ (Zevachim 41b)
The one thing that has not changed is how careful we are and need to be when handling an esrog. The Medrash relates that the esrog symbolizes the heart, which reflects our emotions. We always have to be vigilant and mindful of the feelings of others, and we also need to be cognizant of, and honest about, our own emotions.
In principle, when purchasing items, payment is due when taking title or possession of the item, replied Rabbi Dayan. Therefore, the immediate payment price is usually viewed halachically as the true price.
Call To Alms ‘Having Declared It a Burnt Offering, He Rethought…’ (Zevachim 30a)
A person who understands that his happiness and success are not dependent on anything material but only on his level of morality and attachment to G-d is truly free.
By way of analogy, in Tefillah Zakkah we recite that our fasting on Yom Kippur, and the consumption of the fats and blood volume from our body during the fast, should be considered as if we offered the fat and blood of a sacrifice on the altar.
If you never finalized the price, I’m not sure the esrog is yours… the avreich said thoughtfully. You may not be able to use it, because you must own the esrog on the first day. You should ask Rabbi Dayan!
An Aging Problem? ‘I Have Chosen Him to Stand, But Not to Sit’ (Zevachim 23b)
The mitzvah of sukkah is most unique. It is the only mitzvah one performs with his entire body (with the exception of living in Eretz Yisrael).
If it can be done comfortably, safely, and in accordance with halacha, it’s a beautiful and meaningful mitzvah. But we must do so without judgment. Not sleeping in the sukkah doesn’t imply laxity or lack of observance – sometimes, it’s a reflection of deeper spiritual sensitivity or halachic adherence.
The Rema, however, is unconvinced by weather-based excuses (Darkei Moshe, O.C. 639:3). He maintains that it is generally not sufficiently cold even in Europe to constitute a blanket exemption (pun intended) from sleeping in the sukkah.
Within all of us is this tension. A part of us might find the rituals confining, excessive, and boring. Why must we drudge through organized prayers and rituals? Why can’t we just connect to G-d and be a Jew at heart? The feeling is most legitimate.
If there was a dispute, though, you should try to resolve it, concluded Rabbi Dayan. Appeasement and restoring peace between people are a great merit on Yom Kippur.
Do Clothes Make the Man? ‘When Kohanim Are Wearing Their Holy Garments’ (Zevachim 17b)
Our main argument for forgiveness is that our sinful behaviors do not define us; they are an aberration, an external infection as it were.
Whatever the case, we know that the most important thing is doing the right thing, accepting and fulfilling G-d’s commands and commandments, working on ourselves by adopting the guidance of Torah and halacha. And this is what we should think if we have to stay home on Yom Kippur, as all of us must do at some point.
By Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel
For Rav Kook, the call of this ideal shofar represents redemption through holiness; An awakening to return to our ancestral homeland out of great love and faith, and a desire to bring about the Redemption, fulfilling our destiny in the Land of Israel.
One may wear another person’s tallis for davening, even though it is not a requirement, because you thereby fulfill a mitzvah.
July 24, 2026 
