יום שבת, כ׳ חשוון תשפ״זSaturday, October 31, 2026
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If the husband cannot find an agent who agrees to travel with the Get to where the wife resides, the husband may appoint an agent who resides where the wife lives.
What is the exact meaning of “amen” and where does the word come from? David H. (Via E-Mail)
"Well, in that case," said Itzik, "just tell Jake that I paid back the money and it was stolen.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Last Will and Testament ‘A Deathbed Request Is Considered Sealed And Delivered’ (Gitin 14b)
While so doing the husband says, “This is your Get, please accept it, you are divorced from me as of this moment and you are free to marry another man.”
Although the Torah requires the Get to be delivered in front of two witnesses, the Torah, according to the Rambam, does not require the witnesses to sign the Get.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Repulsive And Disgraceful ‘The Holy One…Does Not Cause Mishaps To The Righteous’ (Gittin 7a)
"What is the problem, then?" asked Mrs. Rhein. "We can pay $5,000; the payment from the summer and what we owe for now."
"No, I trusted you," replied Mr. Isaacs. "I'm sure that I paid the first half, though."
A Wonder Worm ‘When The Temple Was Destroyed…’ (Sotah 48a-b)
The Talmud tells us that a lamp is lit over the head of each unborn child in its mother’s womb, enabling it to perceive all the ways of God throughout the world.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Impropriety Of Flattery ‘They Flattered King Agrippas’ (Sotah 41b)
"This doesn't seem right," Chaim's mother said. "I'm going to have to check with the bakery." She put that doughnut aside and took a different flavor.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Burning Of Kever Yosef ‘Alongside Shechem’ (Sotah 32a)
When a person who has given in to his or her animal instincts wishes to bring a sacrifice to atone for such conduct, the sacrifice should be as basic and unadorned as the instincts to which he or she gave in.
"Does Mr. Goodman have to pay me the $1,000 he agreed to for learning with my son?" Danny asked.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Incurring Lashes? ‘On That Day Rabbi Akiva Expounded’ (Sotah 27b)
Today, in the absence of the Temple, our prayers are a substitute for the korbanot.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Special Syllabus ‘As One Who Is Exempt, But Nevertheless Does’ (Sotah 21a)
"I'm not interested in doing anything with the apartment," said Reuven. "If you're my partner in the apartment, you're welcome to use it with me."
"Maybe," acknowledged Benny. "But I didn't do anything wrong. I rode the bike in the normal manner, and this accident occurred."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Stepfather in a Kesuba ‘He Was the Stepson of Kenaz’ (Sotah 11b)
When David returned, he apologized to Moshe and offered to pay for replacement of the fender.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Hot Air Blower ‘Whoever Eats Bread Without Wiping His Hands…’ (Sotah 4b)
"I stated from the beginning, 'For a friend like you – we're willing to rent.' If he's no longer a friend, the agreement is no longer binding!"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Reburial In Eretz Yisrael ‘If One Finds Three [Corpses]…This Is A Graveyard’? (Nazir 64b-65a)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Matter Of Health ‘He Who Rounds The Corners…’ (Nazir 57b)
"What do you expect?" asked Mr. Strauss. "That I should work for free?"
As a child, I always wanted to know what my father’s chin looked like. But I never got to see it. From the time I was born until the time he passed away 28 years later, the Dayan’s chin was always covered with a beard. The Torah forbids a man to destroy the corners of […]
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Delaying A Funeral To Honor A Deceased A Nazir may Defile Himself For A Mes Mitzvah (Nazir 47a)
Aryeh complained to Josh for handing the work over to Manny. Josh insisted, though, that he trusted Manny and that the job was done according to standard and approved by him.
"But my rebbe taught me that on the first day of Sukkos you have to own the lulav and esrog," said Levi. "If I borrow yours, how can I fulfill the mitzvah?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Curling Pei’os ‘Hair Of A Nazir’ (Nazir 42a)
The lulav also symbolizes the scepter of victory with which we emerge after vanquishing the Yom Kippur prosecutor.
"If there were only two possibilities, I understand following the higher amount," said Mr. Meyer. "However, here the pledge could have been any amount from $100 to $360!"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Normal Consumption ‘Leave Aside Babylonian Kutach’ (Nazir 36b)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Like Father, Like Son ‘A Man Is Obligated To Train His Son’ (Nazir 29a)
Leibel met his long-time friend Chaim three days before Yom Kippur. After wishing each other a G'mar chasimah tovah, Leibel asked Chaim, "How do you do kapparos?" "What do you mean?" replied Chaim. "I follow the machzor." "That's not what I meant," laughed Leibel. "Do you use money or a chicken?" "I use money," replied […]
In a number of places, our rabbis tell us that Shemita is the Key to Redemption.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Distressful Situation ‘No Lashes Are Administered’ (Nazir 23a)
The dayanim reached the conclusion that Mr. Rubin was legally liable for the full sum. Rabbi Dayan issued the ruling to the parties.
On the night immediately following the 29th day of Elul and on 30th day of Elul itself, people hedged their bets.
"This case entails two basic factors," replied Rabbi Dayan. "First, a questionable damage; second, a partial admission.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Facing The Consequences ‘Uncleanness Is Retroactive!’ (Nazir 16a)
Today, few people fast during the Days of Selichot, but the custom is to rise early to recite Selichot.
"There is a mitzvah to pay the worker on that day," answered Mr. Lerner.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Que Sera, Sera? ‘He Daubed Him With Mud’ (Nedarim 89b-90a)
Mr. Steinberg ran downstairs to the ground floor. He saw that the table had fallen onto one of the cars sitting in the parking lot below.
When Moses ascended the mountain that first, fateful day of Elul, the shofar was sounded daily in the Camp of Israel, heralding his expected return.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Truth Or Consequences ‘Consecrating The Non-Existent’ (Nedarim 85b)
"I don't understand, though," objected Mr. Weiss. "If the Torah states that the loan should be remitted, how can Hillel institute that the creditor can collect, against Torah law?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Most Favorable Of …Times ‘Annulling Vows For The Sake Of Shabbos’ (Nedarim 77a)
"So there's no way to lend past the shemittah year?" asked Eli.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Day He Heard ‘One May Seek Revocation Of A Confimation’ (Nedarim 69a)
The director picked up the phone to Rabbi Dayan. "One of our counselors lost his check," he said. "Do we have to issue a new one or is it his loss?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
‘Older’ By A Month ‘…Until The Beginning Of Adar’ (Nedarim 63a)
The two decided to approach Rabbi Dayan. "What is the halachic status of conquered territory?" asked Shalom.
On Shabbat during the nine days, one may don freshly laundered clothes, eat meat and drink wine, including Havdalah wine.
"Does that mean a person can simply renege after payment was made?" asked Benjy incredulously.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Plucked Apple ‘…Which Cannot Become Permitted’ (Nedarim 58a)
"But I'm already dwelling in the apartment," said Mr. Gold. "Shouldn't that count? I'm no worse than a neighbor!"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Going Public ‘From A Wealthy Roman Lady’ (Nedarim 50a)
The combination of the severity of the punishment and the ease with which the prohibition may be forgotten require that the smallest amount of chametz – chametz bemashehu – be prohibited.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
This Land Is ‘My’ Land ‘[If The Vow Was Imposed] In The Seventh Year…’ (Nedarim 42b)
If the sick person is thrust into a situation where he is compelled to face his sickness head on, we who are not yet sick can encourage him by facing it with him.
"Is there a difference between rescuing and other services?" asked Ploni.
Less clear, however, is whether the concept applies to the area of civil law such as the law of transfer of property.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
My Plate, My Food ‘My Loaf Is Forbidden To You’ (Nedarim 34b)
"What difference does that make?" replied Shraga. "What counts is the agreement that we made. I said two hundred fifty and you accepted."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Not As An Asmachta? “An Asmachta [In Beis Din] Does Acquire” (Nedarim 27b)
"Is the invoice signed by the students?" asked the principal. "They said they didn't get the pizza."
Conversely, no part of the Land within the boundaries delineated in Numbers 34 may be relinquished for any purpose whatsoever.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Ulla’s Murderous Companion ‘Yes! Cut Him Even Deeper’ (Nedarim 22a)
Although it is true that the Final Redemption will be accelerated when all Jews repent and accept the rule of Torah, there is also another scenario for the Final Redemption.
"The answer depends on the terms of the purchase agreement and local customs," replied Rabbi Dayan.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
An Enduring Text ‘If One Vows By The Torah...’ (Nedarim 14b)
"I wasn't really thinking," replied Levi. "Things in the backyard usually don't need watching. I also didn't expect you to be away so long. One thing is clear, though: I never accepted responsibility for the cake."
Should just a few communities settle the Land of Israel? Should there be a mass emigration of all Jews worldwide to Israel?
Why did so many of our great sages from the Rambam to Rabbi Moshe Feinstein live outside Israel?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Casting A Doubt ‘Shall We Say [They] Are Not Valid?’ (Nedarim 5a-7a)
"What do you mean?" asked the secretary. "We already issued a ruling and closed the case."
God and the divine origin of His Torah are facts even though we do not fully comprehend them.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Honor Of Reading The Kesubah ‘Witnesses Sign Only After Reading…’ (Kesubos 109a)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Twice Promised “Such And Such [I Give My Son]…” (Kesubos 102b)
"A person who borrowed without a written loan document, even in the presence of witnesses, is believed with a heses – rabbinic – oath to say that he repaid,"
During the course of the year, though, political events in the Persian Gulf caused the cost of gasoline to rise. Prices climbed from $2.50 a gallon to $4.00.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Seller’s Remorse ‘He Sold Because He Ostensibly Needed The Funds’ (Ketubbot 97a)
"There is a diamond necklace that I wear on special occasions," Mrs. Miller told her husband. "It was recently appraised at $6,000. If need be, we can give that as collateral."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Debt Lives On ‘The Orphans’ Mitzvah To Repay Their Father’s Debts’ (Ketubot 91b)
In order to be free of the negative consequences of violating a shvu’ah or a neder, the shvu’ah or neder themselves must be annulled.
"I accept the ruling," said Mr. Broyer, "but would like to understand the reasoning."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Ramifications Of A Printers Error ‘The Note Holder’s Burden of Proof’ (Kesubos 83b)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Oh My, It’s Copper! ‘…And One Who Is A Coppersmith’ (Kethubboth 77a)
The omer sacrifice of loose barley flour was more fitting for animal consumption than human consumption and symbolizes the depths to which the Jewish slaves had sunk.
"The problem is that the sum total is listed is $17,000. However, when you add the sums mentioned, it is clear that the total of $17,000 is an error. Thus, Mr. Broyer owes me $18,000, not $17,000."
In most communities the rabbi will perform the eruv ceremony on Erev Yom Tov for all community members.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Heiress? ‘Determining The Daughter’s Status’ (Kesubos 68b-69a)
"The guiding principle regarding work terms is: hakol keminhag hamidina – everything in accordance with the common practice," replied Rabbi Dayan.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Woman Of Valor ‘Would That He Listen To Me…’ (Kesubos 63a)
"No, I can't take more than $65," protested Mrs. Fleisher. "You may not owe me more than that."
October 30, 2026 
