יום רביעי, ט״ו אב תשפ״וWednesday, July 29, 2026
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"Today we will learn about oaths," Rabbi Dayan announced to his shiur. "There are many sugyos [passages] in the Gemara that deal with imposing an oath."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Circumcised At The Hand Of Heaven? ‘A Drop Of Blood Must Be Taken’ (Shabbos 135a)
Question: When may a Jew rely on Hashem and when must he engage in activities to secure his own needs?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Damsel In Distress ‘A Woman In Labor Is Considered Critically Ill’ (Shabbos 129a)
Avrumi perused the signs posted on the bulletin board of his yeshiva. He had seen most of the notices before, so he glossed over them quickly. Then he saw a new sign posted by the office: "We have arranged a 10% discount for our talmidim at the local seforim store. Please register at the store to get your discount card."
Question: What should someone do if he forgot to say Ya’aleh V’yavo in Shmoneh Esreh?
If you yourself may not perform a melachah, you may not ask a non-Jew to perform it for you. This is true both for biblically prohibited acts, melachot de’oreita, and rabinically prohibited acts, melachot de’rabbanan. This applies even if the non-Jew was instructed before Shabbat to perform the melachah on Shabbat.
Question: Is it proper to recite prayers for a non-Jewish government during davening?
A group of fifth-grade boys was playing ball in the park one afternoon. Yosef zoomed into the park on his rollerblades, with a broad smile on his face.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Neighbors To The Rescue ‘He May Tell Others: Come, Save For Yourselves’ (Shabbos 121a)
There is also an additional category of muktzah, applicable mainly to food on Yom Tov, known as muktzah mechamat hachana, which means muktzah because one had no intention on Erev Yom Tov to eat such food on Yom Tov.
"We're flying to Israel tonight for a month to visit our children who live there," Mr. Hirsch told his neighbor, Mr. Feiner.
Sunday. Many of us do not go to work. There is, however, so much to do at home. How many of us have the self-control to make Sunday a voluntary day of rest and refrain from balancing our checkbooks, paying our bills, clearing out the attic, or mowing the lawn?
Question: Many chazzanim say the words “ga’al yisrael” before shemoneh esrei quietly. Is this practice proper?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Carpenter’s Folly ‘All Holy Writings…Require Geniza’ (Shabbos 115a)
Whereas a person may not cook food on Shabbat, there is no biblical prohibition against food cooking itself on Shabbat. Therefore a person may place raw meat in a pot on Friday afternoon Erev Shabbat before sunset and allow it to cook through until the following day for the Shabbat lunch meal.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
By All Means Rescue! ‘If One Removes A Fish From The Sea’ (Shabbos 107b)
Outside the beis medrash of Yeshiva Gedolei Yisrael, Mr. Gross sold framed pictures of many gedolim. Dani loved to stand and admire the pictures as he walked in and out of the beis medrash. Looking at him were the Sages of the previous generation: Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt"l, Rav S.Z. Auerbach, zt"l, Rav Y.S. Elyashiv, zt"l, and many others.
Question: Should one stand or sit during chazarat hashatz?
Dan and Shai were standing in the train station. They had just finished a shopping spree and each carried a bag, which they put down next to them. "I got a gift for my parent's anniversary," said Shai. "It cost quite a lot, but it's a very special occasion."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Murky Dispute ‘Water Does Not Affect Its Status’ (Shabbos 100a)
Question: Must one wear a hat during Shabbat meals?
One may not bathe in, wash or shower with water heated on Shabbat. Whether one may perform these activities with water heated before Shabbat is debated by Rav, who maintains that one may wash one’s entire body, limb by limb, in such water, and Shmuel, who maintains one may only wash one’s face, hands and feet in such water.
Rabbi Dayan received a phone call from his nephew, Rabbi Federman, who had recently taken his first position as a pulpit rabbi. "Sholom aleichem," Rabbi Dayan greeted him. "How is the new Rav managing?"
Question: What is the purpose of reciting korbanot in the morning?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Satisfaction Guaranteed ‘The Divine Presence Rests Only On One Who Is Wise, Strong…’ (Shabbos 92a)
Mr. Farber looked out his kitchen window and admired the snow all around. It had piled up during the night, covering everything with a beautiful blanket of white. While he was eating breakfast, Yaakov and Elisha knocked on his door. "Do you want your snow shoveled?" asked Yaakov.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Size Is Indicative Of Importance ‘He Took Out Wood to Cook an Egg…’ (Shabbos 89b)
Question: Must a bar mitzvah boy buy a mirror to ensure that his tefillin are perfectly center on his head?
Yaakov had spent Shabbos at his yeshiva for a few weeks running. "Don't forget to bring your suit in to the cleaners," said his mother, before he returned home. "It's been a while since it was cleaned."
Many years ago, I was offered two rabbinical positions. One was to serve as assistant rabbi at a prominent congregation in Manhattan. The other was to start a new Orthodox congregation in West Orange, New Jersey.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Sow The Seeds Of Repentance ‘This Potted Plant’ (Shabbos 81b)
"A bunch of us are getting together on Motzaei Shabbos for a Chanukah party," Shraga told his friend Pinchas. "Would you like to come?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Matter Of Intention? ‘The Primary Labors Are Forty Less One…’ (Shabbos 73a)
Using one’s creative powers seven days a week may lead one to believe in oneself as a Creator. This danger is averted in Judaism by the institution of Shabbat, during which one refrains from melachot. Melachot are defined by my father, Dayan Grunfeld, zt”l, in his book on the Sabbath, as acts that demonstrate one’s mastery of the world by means of the constructive exercise of one’s intelligence and skill. For just one day a week, we are asked to lay aside our skills and acknowledge the real Creator.
Question: Why does Al HaNissim not mention the mitzvah to light nerot Chanukah?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
For Whom The Bell Tolls ‘Royal Children May Go Out With Bells’ (Shabbos 66b)
Certain activities – such as building, tying, weaving, writing, dyeing and sewing – are not prohibited on Shabbat unless they are made to last. For example, one may tie a knot that is not tied in a professional manner and will be untied within seven days, such as shoelaces or the ribbon around the Torah scroll, on Shabbat afternoon. So too a safety pin may be used on Shabbat since it is not a form of permanent sewing.
Yosef, Gad and Benjy headed down to the dining hall in their high school. As they walked along the corridor they noticed a new vending machine had been installed. The three admired the machine, and eyed its beckoning display of treats.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Do Not Add To Them! ‘Shabbos is not a Time for Tefillin’ (Shabbos 61a)
"Hi, Levi," said his friend Moshe. "I've got a project to work on for the next two months. By any chance, do you have a spare laptop you're willing to lend for the duration?"
You arrive home after shul on Friday night. All the dishes washed before Shabbat are locked in the dishwasher. You have no other eating utensils and you want to retrieve them for the Friday night meal. In order to take them out you have to unlock the door by turning the lever lock to the left. The action of the lever to unlock the door automatically turns off the panel indicator lights that advise you the dishwashing cycle is complete. So you cannot open the door without turning off the lights. What do you do?
A week after Hurricane Sandy, the Blums still had no electricity. They had run extension cords to a neighbor's house to power some basic items, like the fridge and telephone, but the protracted living without power was taking its toll on the family.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Ball And Bat Substitutes 'Cut Palm Branches' (Shabbos 50a)
The link between the laws of Shabbat and the Mishkan not only defines the 39 Melachot but also determines the conditions for liability. One of these conditions is intent. The other is purpose.
The juxtaposition in the Torah of the laws of Shabbat and the Mishkan, the Sanctuary, not only serves to identify the 39 melachot prohibited on Shabbat but also determines the conditions that must exist before one can be held liable for performing a melachah. One of these conditions is intent.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Children And Corpses ‘A Body Lying In The Sun…’ (Shabbos 43b)
Hurricane Sandy had knocked down the power lines to Noach's house. After three days with no electricity, he heard that a neighbor had a spare generator.
Hurricane Sandy ploughed through the eastern seaboard, leaving devastation in its wake: mandated evacuation, flooded houses, power outages, uprooted trees, and smashed cars. The storm also raised serious questions regarded rented properties: Does a tenant have to pay rent for the time his house was affected by the storm?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Enjoying A Hot Dish ‘What Was Really Meant Was Replacing It…’ (Shabbos 37a)
“G-d formed man from the earth and breathed into him a living soul.” The greatest achievement of the biological sciences since that moment in creation has been the Human Genome Project, a massive effort by thousand of biologists, chemists and physicists who isolated and identified the 24,000 genes that Hashem placed in Adam and Eve, […]
Rabbi Feld headed out to the airport early in the morning. He was flying to the wedding of one of his congregants, Mr. Krauss, who had purchased him a complimentary ticket. Although the wedding was scheduled for late afternoon, they had booked an early flight to allow ample time.
When Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, the redactor of the Mishnah known as “Rebbi,” lay dying, he made his sons promise him that after his death they would set the Shabbat table and light the candles for him every Friday night.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
For Appearance’s Sake ‘Moving Forward At The Word Of G-d’ (Shabbos 31a)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Triple Pray? ‘If He Did Not Say He Must Repeat’ (Shabbos 24a)
Question: What is unique about Modern Orthodoxy?
"I arranged with Simon Cooper, the plumber, to clear the blockage in the kitchen sink this morning," Mr. Laks told his wife. "Oh, great!" she replied. "I'll clean the kitchen before he comes."
Shabbat candles must be lit by (and preferably 18 minutes before) sunset. Once it is twilight, the time between sunset and nightfall known as bein hashmashot, it is too late to light. Bein hashmashot begins when the sun sets below the horizon and is no longer visible.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Crystal Clear As The Waters ‘Speak In The Manner Of One’s Teacher’ (Shabbos 15a)
Question: What is unique about Modern Orthodoxy?
Question: What is unique about Modern Orthodoxy?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Where Beis Shammai And Beis Hillel Agree ‘One Must Not Sit Before A Barber Near Minchah’ (Shabbos 9b)
Sam Berger and Moti Farber shared a two family house, with a joint driveway in front. The Farbers had an extensive family, whereas Sam was relatively young and just recently had his fourth child.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Lulav, Shofar, Bris “His Hand Is Not At Rest” (Shabbos 3a)
Question: May one support kosher sechach in a sukkah by placing it on a davar she’mekabel tumah, an item that can receive impurity (i.e., metal)?
Even Moses, who spoke with God one on One, was not allowed to see Him during his lifetime. “You cannot see my face, for no man shall see me and live.”
Question: Should a person recite kiddush standing or sitting on Sukkot? If he stands, should he sit down after saying the berachah of leshev ba’sukkah or remain standing?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Pomp And Circumstance ‘Endeavor to See the King’ (Berachos 58a)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Lady Of The House ‘One Blesses First On The Wine…’ (Berachos 51)
Question: A basic Jewish belief is that everyone ultimately will be judged. This final judgment is called din v’cheshbon, judgment and reckoning – see Avot 3:1. What is the difference between these two terms? What is din and what is cheshbon?
It was Yom Kippur eve. The shul began filling rapidly as the time approached for Kol Nidrei. Herzl Machlis sat in his seat, cloaked in his tallis and kittel, quietly reciting Tefillah Zakkah, composed by the Chayei Adam 150 years ago.
Why is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, so different from other Jewish holidays? On the face of it, it does not seem to follow any pattern. It is celebrated for two days, not only in the Diaspora but also in Israel. Yet the Sages refer to the two days of Rosh Hashanah as one long day – yoma arichta.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Shehakol Bread? ‘One Recites A Blessing On The Primary Food’ (Berachos 44a)
Dr. Oren had a small psychology practice and rented office space from his colleague, Dr. Wieder, on Thursday afternoons. The rent amounted to $500 for the month. Since the two usually did not see each other, the arrangement was that Dr. Oren would leave the rent money in the top drawer of the desk.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Vicious Cycle ‘Many Different Kinds Were Set Before Him’ (Berachos 41a)
However remote the prospect of acquittal, a Jew must never give up. God commands us to challenge indictment with prayer. And the rabbis urge us to confront sentencing with hunger strikes. And so, the Midrash tells us, when Moses stood before God, at a loss for words with which to defend the sin of the golden calf, God Himself donned a tallit, took to the prayer stand, and showed Moses how to pray and what to say:
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
It would be reasonable to assume that a language that contains the verb “to command” must also contain the verb “to obey.” The one implies the other, just as the concept of a question implies the possibility of an answer. We would, however, be wrong. There are 613 commandments in the Torah, but there is no word in biblical Hebrew that means “to obey.” When Hebrew was revived as a language of everyday speech in the nineteenth century, a word, letsayet, had to be borrowed from Aramaic. Until then there was no Hebrew word for “to obey.”
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Two Way Street? ‘Joining Geulah To Tefillah Is Preferable’ (Berachos 30a)
Mr. Morris was home one evening, when an acquaintance, Mr. Roth, knocked at his door. "May I have a word with you?" Mr. Roth asked. "Certainly, come in," Mr. Morris said, welcoming him into the living room. "Perhaps you've forgotten," Mr. Roth began, "but last year I lent you $500, which you never repaid." Mr. Morris scratched his head and thought for a moment. "I never borrowed from you," he replied.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
No Cell Phones Please! ‘A Kerchief That One Designated For Storing Tefillin’ (Berachos 23)
Prayer is always an avenue to God. But in the month of Elul, the last month of the Jewish year, and during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, God lends a particularly sympathetic ear.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
What About Ma’ariv? ‘The Bridegroom Is Exempt From Kerias Shema’ (Berachos 16a)
Excitement was in the air as the 12th Siyum HaShas of the Daf Yomi cycle approached. Mendy, who had joined the Daf seven and-a-half years earlier, eagerly anticipated taking part in this major event at MetLife Stadium along with 93,000 other participants.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Kerias Shema Twice At Night? ‘When One Reads Shema’ (Berachos 8b)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Hadran On Shas ‘Tam V’nishlam’ (Niddah 73a)
There is a fundamental difference between the times set for reciting the Shema and all other prayers. Whereas our sages linked the times for prayers to the times of the Temple sacrifices, the time for reciting Shema is fixed by the Torah itself – “beshochbechah uvekumechah” – when you lie down and when you get up.
Mr. Blank worked through the summer, so his family stayed in the city. "It would be nice to get away to the country for a weekend," his wife suggested.
Five tragedies occurred on Tisha B’Av. It was decreed that those who left Egypt would not enter the land of Israel, the first and second Temples were destroyed, the city of Betar was captured with thousands massacred, and Turnus Rufus plowed the site of the razed Temple. Consequently, Tisha B’Av was declared a day of national mourning and a fast day.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Sorrow And Joy ‘Proclaim Your Troubles So That Your Friends Pray For You’ (Niddah 66a)
Question: Is it prohibited to listen to music in the privacy of one’s home (or car) during the Nine Days?
Question: Is it prohibited to listen to music in the privacy of one’s home (or car) during the Nine Days?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Self Evident? ‘What Uncleanness Is There In A Nasal Discharge?’ (Niddah 55b- 56a)
The Alperts needed some work done around their house. The contracted Mr. Fixler, a general handyman, to do the job. While working on one of the fixtures, Mr. Fixler accidentally knocked his drill off the ladder. It landed with a thud on the floor of the entranceway, cracking a tile.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Soul Food ‘It Comes To Include A Fragrance’ (Niddah 52a)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Can’t Have It Both Ways ‘A Minor Who Reaches Maturity’ (Niddah 46a)
One does not have to be superstitious to recognize facts. It is a historical fact that the period between the Seventeenth of Tammuz and the Tenth of Av was plagued by recurring tragedies.
Question: It is known that some sephardim generally arrive at a simcha a few hours subsequent to the time noted on the invitation. Is there any logic behind this custom?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Rebirth Of Sorts ‘Immersing Contaminated, Emerging Pure’ (Niddah 42a)
Mr. Meyers scurried around the wedding hall, making sure everything was properly in place; his son was getting married. "Could you please watch this envelope?" he asked his close friend, Mr. Koenig.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Great Switch ‘These Are The Sons Of Leah’ (Niddah 32)
July 24, 2026 
