יום רביעי, ט״ו אב תשפ״וWednesday, July 29, 2026
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The Torah lists twenty-one close relatives a man may not marry.
On Tuesday, Mr. Ross picked up the bris kit. While driving home, he was stopped by armed thugs. They forced him out of the car and drove off with the bris kit inside.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Informing The Decision ‘Found To Be With Child’ (Yevamos 35b)
It is a reprehensible approach for a proud Jew anywhere in the world to avoid using Israeli produce.
In the same way as a married woman is precluded from marrying another man without a get, so too is this widow prohibited from marrying another man without chalitzah.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Ban Of The Communities ‘Impaired Chalitzah’ (Yevamos 26b)
“ ‘We're almost out of stamps,’ I said. ‘I'll be happy to run over to the post office and pick up a supply.’ ”
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Law-Abiding Citizen ‘That Which Is Crooked Cannot Be Made Straight…’ (Yevamos 22a-b)
Noach felt a tug, and then heard a rip. His jacket had been caught on the nail, and the beautiful suit had a tear.
By Donny Fuchs
Myth #1: It is easy to be a B'nai Noach. It is extraordinarily hard to be a B'nai Noach.
Shimon started adjusting the branches on the roof. In doing so, a branch fell off the other side of the car and hit the side-view mirror, cracking it.
Should we sit in the sukkah on a day that may be the eighth day when we are not commanded to sit in the sukkah at all?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
For Appearance’s Sake ‘Shammai Did Not Follow Their Own Ruling’ (Yevamos 13b 14a)
Some seforim on a nearby bookcase toppled over and knocked the esrog out of Lev's hand. It fell to the ground and a piece broke off.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Being Overly Burdensome My Sabbaths Shall You Observe’ (Yevamos 6a)
We are told that after returning home from Ne’ilah and breaking our fast, the first activity we should engage in is building a sukkah.
A Miraculous Visual Treat ‘They Lifted It Up To Show…’ (Chagiga 26b)
Mr. Fisher contacted Rabbi Dayan. "Am I allowed to use money of ma'aser kesafim to pay the shul for an aliyah that I bought?" he asked.
In addition to Yom Kippur, there is at least one other instance when a person may fast on Shabbat – the case of a ta’anit chalom, in which a person wishes to fast to prevent an ominous dream from becoming reality.
Contrary to popular belief, the Talmud never explicitly limits the ban on footwear to leather shoes.
We must eat, sleep, work, and care for our dependants. How much time is left over after all that?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Chatzitzah And Its Applications ‘Greater Stringency Applies To Hallowed Things…’ (Chagiga 20b-21a)
Rabbi Dayan took a challah and some cooked eggs. He then called over his 15-year-old son, Aharon. "Could you please ask your friend Chaim from next door to come over and help me with the eruv tavshilin?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Role Reversal ‘Return, O Wayward Sons…’ (Chagigah 15a)
When the Kleins returned, however, they were dismayed to see that the renters did a poor job cleaning up after themselves.
If mourning is incompatible with Yom Tov, why is it not incompatible with Shabbat?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
An Astonishing Miracle ‘Why Bring the Infants to Hakhel?’ (Chagigah 3a)
"Tony said that the code in most places in the U.S. is at least 36 inches for a residential guardrail," replied Mr. Braun. "Some make it higher, 42, or even 52 inches for high porches. What is the required height according to halacha?"
Why does Yom Tov cut short shiva and shloshim?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Blast At A Funeral? “R. Hamnuna Came To Daramutha…” (Moed Kattan 27b)
"The Torah states in Parshat Ki-Teitzei: 'If you build a new house, you shall make a fence for your roof. I think it's your responsibility."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Untimely News ‘A Mourner Is Forbidden To Wear Shoes…’ (Mo’ed Katan 20b)
On Friday afternoon, Dov called Kalman. "Please make sure to return the keys for the car on Motzaei Shabbos," he said. "We have a bris on Sunday morning and we're all going. We also need the roof luggage bag."
On Chol HaMoed some work is prohibited and some is permitted. According to some opinions, the work prohibition is biblical; according to others, it’s rabbinical.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Discretion ‘Vendors Of Fruits And Clothing…May Sell In Private’ (Mo’ed Katan 13b)
"We're leining now, and shouldn't be talking," Mr. Silver gently quieted his son. "At the Shabbos table we can discuss it at length."
"Guess what?" Benzion exclaimed when he returned home. "I just won an identical Mishnah Berurah in the avos u'banim raffle."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
An Outcast ‘He Shall Dwell Outside His Tent’ (Moed Katan 7b)
Based on the opinion of the Ramban, the Territorial School believes that leaving any territory of the Land of Israel in the possession of non-Jews is a violation of a biblical mandate.
"Do I have to repay the loan?" he asked. "Does Yosef have to reimburse me? What if doesn't have that sum, does he owe me in the future?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Pondering A Kapandria “It Should Not Be Used As A Shortcut” (Megillah 29a)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Gender Factor ‘Where There Is Loss Of Work… Three Are Called To The Torah’ (Megillah 22b)
To properly fulfill the mitzvah of listening to the megillah, each word must be heard.
When Yoram got home that evening, he went over to Effy: "My day camp is looking for extra supervision for an overnight trip," he said. "Would you like to come? They're paying $250 for the trip."
"I'll make you a deal," he said. "If you pay monthly – it's $4,500; if you pay six months up front – I'll give it to you for $4,200."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Hallel On Purim? “Its Reading Is Its Praise” (Megillah 14a)
If the only person available to perform the milah on the eighth day is a person who is not an observant Jew, the milah should be postponed until a devout mohel is available.
"Sound fine," said Mrs. Schwartz. "In the middle, paint their names, Shoshana and Yehonasan. He spells his name Yehonasan with a hei and is very particular about it!"
"It is sometimes possible through hataras nedarim, nullification of vows," replied Rabbi Dayan, "but it's not simple for charity pledges.
The kohen gadol may not enter the Temple unless his hair is cut every seven days.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Ancient Cities, Ancient Walls (Megillah 3b-4a)
Mr. Haber called Rabbi Dayan. "We sold various household items, including my bicycle, the refrigerator and some professional tools with the expectation of being relocated," he said. "It turns out we're staying. Can I annul those sales?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Birchas Kohanim On A Fast Day ‘Because of Intoxication…’ (Taanis 26b)
A commonly employed and permissible device regarding the prohibition of wearing fresh clothes during the Nine Days is to don them for a moment or two before the Nine Days.
Question: At Birkat Kohanim, who says the phrase, “Am k’doshecha ka’amur”?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Siyum Validates It ‘Thereupon The Decrees Were Annulled’ (Ta’anis 18a)
"You cannot restrain Ari from building a fence on his property," answered Rabbi Dayan.
Question: How can one determine whether someone is a true disciple of a rav, Rebbe, or rosh yeshiva?
"I would understand if I became sick and could not finish," said Mr. Braun. "But here it was my choice to stop the work and go take care of my mother."
Question: Does halacha agree with the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade permitting women to have abortions?
The prayer of Mashiv haruach u’morid hageshem mentions God’s rainmaking powers but it is not an immediate request for rain.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Unique Challenge ‘Tithe, You Shall Tithe…’ (Ta’anis 9a)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Pidyon Haben In The Afternoon? ‘…The First Reads Hallel Out Loud’ (Rosh Hashanah 32b)
"David is also entitled, since he is also learning," Moshe replied. "He'll be back in a few minutes. Anyway, I'm on a diet and didn't take one for myself, so I don't see any problem taking for him."
According to the Bach, Rosh Hashanah is referred to as moed, festival, the same term the Torah uses to describe Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot.
Question: When someone puts on a talit to lead services, should he recite a berachah?
If the survival of Judaism is dependent on the next generation, there is no doubt that the most important person in the synagogue is the Candy Man.
Shlomo called Rabbi Dayan. "I lent someone money, and he now denies the loan," he began. "If the opportunity presents itself, am I allowed to grab money from him?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Shofar On Shabbos ‘Rosh Hashanah That Fell on Shabbos’ (Rosh Hashanah 29b)
Question: A number of synagogues feature bar mitzvah celebrations for elderly Jews. Is this proper?
"I have no doubt you should pay the full value of the repair," replied Zvi, "but I'm willing to ask Rabbi Dayan how much you owe."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Sanctified For Now And Thereafter ‘In Front of the Sun or Behind It?’ (Rosh Hashana 23b)
From this decree on, the two days of Rosh Hashanah, unlike the two days of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, were no longer celebrated out of doubt but out of certainty.
Hashem understood their complaint and therefore selected the ritual mitzvah of sukkah to test them.
Question: Why is Shavuot celebrated as a two-day Yom Tov?
"Why are we allowed to read the magazine without paying for it?" asked Mr. Schreiber. "Shouldn't there be at least a mitzvah of hashavat aveidah?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
An Art Collector’s Dilemma! ‘Rabban Gamaliel Had The Form Of Various Moon Shapes…’ (Rosh Hashanah 24a)
"Hillel's name was omitted from the raffle," Mr. Simon said to Rabbi Dayan. "The winner is willing to settle with him, but another participant wants to invalidate the lottery entirely. Must it be redone?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Appreciating His Infinite Mercy ‘I Am He Before The Person Sins…’ (Rosh Hashanah 17b)
Question: Can one fulfill the mitzvah of Sefirat HaOmer via shome’a k’oneh (listening to someone else say the necessary words without saying anything oneself)?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Hillel’s Innovation ‘The Second Month Of Solomon’s Rule’ (Rosh Hashanah 2b)
Sometimes, we even force people not to act this way but to let others benefit.
Question: Is it permissible for kohanim to bless Jews outside the context of Birkat Kohanim?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Woman’s Oneg Yom Tov ‘You Shall Call The Shabbos A Delight’ (Beitzah 34b)
He flipped through the pages, looking for some identification. "Absolutely no marks; it's brand new," Yosef said. "Since there are no identifying marks, the item is hefker [ownerless] and can be taken; I'm taking it for myself."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Altered States ‘Examining A Bechor Is Not The Same’ (Beizah 27a)
"I just picked up a case of tuna at the supermarket up the block, three for $2," Mrs. Cooper said. "You may want to buy the tuna there."
Because the Torah requires one to count “seven complete weeks” one should count at the beginning of the day, which in Jewish law begins on the preceding night.
Question: Is the name Basha a derivative or nickname of another name?
"I'll try to help as we can," said Mr. Goodman, "but we already made a special appeal this year. Let me see what other funds we have. I'll be in touch with you in a day or two."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Reckoning Time ‘Three Festivals, Even Out Of Order’ (Beizah 19b)
A few background principles regarding the prohibitions of chametz mixtures on Pesach may provide some shopping guidance.
Rabbi David Bar-Hayim argues it is time for Ashkenazim to abandon the prohibition against Kitnyot. What do you think?
"Why is that?" asked Rabbi Brenner. "What happened to the rule of hamotzi meichaveiro alav hareaya (the burden of the proof is on the plaintiff)?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Belaboring The Point ‘Since It Is Permitted When Necessary, It Is Permitted Even When Not Necessary’ (Beitzah 12a)
Question: Have any “right wing” gedolei yisrael discussed the positive religious nature of Medinat Yisrael?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Consequence Of Our Exile ‘Guard The Custom Of Your Forefathers’ (Beizah 4b)
"People who want to donate will give anyway," said Mr. Bodner. "Why can't I also gain from distributing the photo?"
Question: Why do Jews eat fish on Shabbat?
July 24, 2026 
