יום שני, כ״ב חשוון תשפ״זMonday, November 2, 2026
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Mitchell Geller was inducted as a Jewish chaplain; a rabbi and a beard go hand in hand. To tell a rabbi to take off his beard would be akin to telling a Catholic Father to remove his collar.
How could the spies have doubted God? How could they have sinned so egregiously?
There were far too many consequences of their rejection of "super" vision, and they understood the price of choosing to not see, epitomized by the spies "not seeing" their destiny in Israel.
Clearly, they were lacking in bitachon. Their faith in Hashem was deficient. But they weren’t guilty of speaking lashon hara.
Question: I am very appreciative and, if I might add, flattered that you answer and publish many of my questions. Due to your superior knowledge, I am always confident when I send in a question that I will receive a proper response. I wonder if you could address whether one should say Birkat HaGomel after flying even though flying is statistically safer than driving. Also, do women say HaGomel as well or only men? Menachem
A Matter of Anticipation ‘A Stone Flew From His Hand, And Another Put Out His Head From A Window …’ (Bava Kamma 33a)
If that is the case, though – if a mechallel Shabbos is toned because he is like one who is ovdei avodah zarah – why, Rav Akiva Eiger asks, is a person who desecrates Shabbos in private stoned?
When an illegal act incurs corporal punishment or lashes (malkot) and monetary liability, the rule of kam lei also applies.
By Naama Klein
We were fortunate enough to have our brother-in-law, sister-in-law and their children fly out from the east coast and join us for one such summer expedition. And it subsequently turned out to be by far the most memorable of all.
After Mr. Weiser left, Mr. Lander opened the envelope. He counted the money and found $600. There were five one-hundred dollar bills and five twenties. "That's strange," Mr. Lander said. "He only owed $480."
Since our faith teaches that every person has a soul mate – bashert – designated by Heaven, how is it that so many cannot find their partners?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Despite the Divine anger, the people were not condemned to permanent exile. They simply had to face the fact that their children would achieve what they themselves were not ready for.
The incident of the spies was a completely new and problematic transgression, it was not toward the rarified wilderness, but rather toward the earthly existence promised in the Land of Israel.
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
My suggestion: Restore the Kotel to its former state, a place where all are welcome and used solely for individual prayer and meditation, just as our ancestors treated it throughout our long history.
No matter how bleak things seem to be, Hashem never give up on us.
We are bound by G-d’s laws when we are in yeshiva, at home, in the synagogue, in the office, at a social event, or on vacation.
Taking The Law Into One’s Own Hands ‘Break His Teeth And Tell Him I Am Taking Mine’ (Bava Kamma 27b)
Question: I am very appreciative and, if I might add, flattered that you answer and publish many of my questions. Due to your superior knowledge, I am always confident when I send in a question that I will receive a proper response. I wonder if you could address whether one should say Birkat HaGomel after flying even though flying is statistically safer than driving. Also, do women say HaGomel as well or only men? Menachem
To gain power or distract the population from their suffering, a monarch would look for a place to put the blame.
But even after one follows all of the rules and performs the mitzvah correctly, the essential part is that we adhered to Hashem’s command and performed His will.
Are all dogs inherently vicious? Is there such a thing as a tame dog?
How can we understand, and relate, to the Children of Israel, a seemingly ungrateful, chutzpadik nation as it crosses the desert?
After some deliberation, the judge dismissed the case. Mr. Braun walked out feeling great.
While Orthodox singles are more insulated from cultural influences, it has had an impact. The questions remain: Why can’t singles get married? What went wrong? Is it 'external influences'?
Moses acted properly in his role of prophet. He failed in his role as a husband; he did not see Tziporah's suffering, her black cloud.
If Moshe was the greatest man that ever lived, his silent partner Tzipporah deserves much of the credit for it.
The Malbim explains that when G-d asked Moshe what was in his hand he was testing him. He was essentially asking Moshe to define how he viewed his role as leader.
What has become clear from modern studies of the brain is that we can control our emotions and our thoughts.
Every generation has its own daunting shidduch challenges. Unfortunately, finding the right shidduch is not a new phenomenon, nor is it limited to our contemporary world.
So on both sides of the spectrum, the yetzer hara either should be unable to convince the person it is permitted – or it shouldn’t need to do any convincing.
Question: Recently it came to light that there is no memorial stone over the grave of a family member who passed away some time ago. He has children, but, unfortunately, they refuse to do anything to rectify this matter. Worse, they say that erecting a monument is not a requirement. I don’t agree with them. Please quote sources so that I can prove to them that they must erect a memorial stone. Name withheld by request
Is It Trespass? ‘Reuven Didn't Benefit And Shimon Didn't Lose’ (Bava Kamma 20a)
By Chava Dumas
Admittedly, it is much easier to see the potential of a toilet paper roll if one has worked in a nursery school, or as a camp counselor, art teacher or creative stay-at-home Mom.
What is the nature of chetzi nezek? Is it compensation or is it a fine?
"I can't stop you from using the whole apartment," reasoned Moshe. "But if you're making money on it, I'm still a partner and entitled to half the amount!"
Why don’t we require the nazir to start his term again and why doesn’t the regular person who enters the Mikdash receive a punishment?
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
According to Maimonides there is not one model of the virtuous life, but two. He calls them, respectively, the way of the saint (chassid) and the sage (chacham).
In Parshat Naso, we are introduced to what seems like a hodgepodge of miscellaneous laws. Why is the Torah bringing these up together?
Enjoyment of God’s world always comes with some innate meaning – something which is lacking in the case of abstinence, the case of the Nazir.
On Shavuot, the Nation of Israel approached the Temple rejoicing in our blessings, rejoicing in each others' blessings; In Rashi's famous words, "As one person, with one heart."
“Good luck to you,” I said. “That would take five different guys all wrapped into one. But more importantly, your ‘big fives’ are a bunch of zeros and do not add up to anything.”
Were it not for the great and infinite love that Hashem has for us, we would not have received the Torah, nor would we dare ask for the gift of Torah on a regular basis.
Limited Liability ‘It Excludes An Ox That Gored…’ (Baba Kamma 13b)
Question: When did Ruth convert – before or after she married Naomi’s son? Also, what is the earliest reference in Jewish sources to a formal conversion process? Lazar Rozenblat Brooklyn, NY
“That is you – had you lived up to your potential, had you become what you were destined to be.”
For those of you who are familiar with the Arizal’s modus operandi of matching each of the months with one of the twelve tribes, I am sure Sivan has got you perplexed.
By dvora
Mommie was distressed because praying for the welfare of her dear family was the foundation of her belief in HaKodesh Boruch Hu, whom she served everyday of her life in innocence and in purity.
By Naama Klein
Although I spontaneously burst out crying that my beloved Tatty was no more, part of me acknowledged that positive development as well.
In the case of a loan, witnesses are not required to make the loan transaction legally effective. The loan can be legally effective without them.
Women are exempt only from the first general obligation to learn Torah, not the second, more specific one.
Bamidbar should open with the stories of the desert, right? Evidently not. Why?
The Torah recognizes the phenomenon of leadership and brings it to our attention subtly in the Book of Bemidbar, through the way it lists the names of the different tribes.
The story of Air Force Chaplain Rabbi Geller's options concerning his beard: "Either you go to the barber shop or you go to jail."
The terrorists were told that they would be given a plane to take them to an Arab country.
Question: Is there a requirement to say “Hineni muchan u’mezuman…” before Sefirat HaOmer? Also if a person arrives late for Maariv, should he count sefirah first with the minyan or proceed immediately to Maariv? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY
Man has two competing sides to him, each one crying out to fulfill it needs, each one demanding its fill.
Is It A Penalty? ‘Why Not Deal With False Evidence?’ (Bava Kamma 5a)
A pervasive difficulty when dealing with singles is their failure to be realistic. Today’s successful shadchan not only has to be a matchmaker but often also assumes the role of a “life coach”
Mr. Abrams turned to Rabbi Dayan: "Whom should I honor with the bris?" he asked.
By dvora
Pinchas told his friend how he had felt that he would need to be with someone he knew to help him and his mother through a very difficult Shabbat. Hashem granted him and his mother this chesed.
By Rabbi Dr. Nathan Lopes Cardozo
Depending on their spiritual condition, human beings will either be satisfied with what they have, or will not. This is the determining factor whether or not it is a year of 'plenty.'
I would like to point out that this part of the tochacha has been visited upon us today, and it is important that we realize it.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Without belief in the covenant, there would be no State of Israel or any significant Jewish history after the Holocaust. Jews kept hope alive; Hope kept the Jewish people alive.
Question: Is there a requirement to say “Hineni muchan u’mezuman…” before Sefirat HaOmer? Also if a person arrives late for Maariv, should he count sefirah first with the minyan or proceed immediately to Maariv? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY
A Ruling Too Novel? ‘One Who Ate Nevelah On Yom Kippur Is Exempt’ (Kiddushin 77b)
The Torah is teaching us that even a mature adult faced with a difficult trial will be greatly influenced by what others are doing.
By Naama Klein
“One of the drivers is nearby right now, and will pick you up between 9:05 and 9:07!” Very good tidings indeed. Except for the fact that I was then distributing freshly washed laundry while listening to the 9 PM News.
"That happens," said Shaindy. "We're always breaking dishes in my house, too."
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
What is the difference between philosophy and the political vision at the heart of Tanach? The answer lies in their different understandings of time.
If a person steals an item and then dies, his children must return the stolen item.
It’s easy for anyone to lose his way, and once the downward spiral commences, the descent is rapid. Downhill is always easy, but with HaShem's help, every Jew can climb back up again.
By Tzvi Fishman
As Lag B’Omer bonfires blaze across Israel, we know that the holy essence of Am Yisrael guarantees that the Nation will return to its roots no matter how secular it looks on the outside.
Had the Jews not sinned with the spies, they would have gone into the land led by Moshe at the end of Parshat Shelach. Hence the end of Vayikra would have basically been the end of the Torah
After the kohanim, leviim and yisraelim lies the outermost circle, representing the nations of the world.
The students were eventually expelled from the school that they were attending, but the reactions of the parents were quite divergent.
We are all familiar with the idea of preparing for matan Torah, but in which way does counting the days help us become worthy of receiving the Torah?
Dani unwrapped the book and was very happy as it was exactly what he wanted.
In Spite Of The Consequences ‘There Is Birtha di’Satya In Babylon’ (Kiddushin 72a)
"Do you really think it's theirs?" asked Shlomie. "They're only kids."
Question: Is there a requirement to say “Hineni muchan u’mezuman…” before Sefirat HaOmer? Also if a person arrives late for Maariv, should he count sefirah first with the minyan or proceed immediately to Maariv? Moshe Jakobowitz Brooklyn, NY
This mitzvah seems very difficult to understand. The answer lies in our understanding how our middos are shaped.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
In a way not shared by any other festival, Sukkot celebrates the dual nature of Jewish faith: the universality of G-d and the particularity of Jewish existence.
On the other hand, perhaps the fetus she is carrying is a male, and she is obligated to ensure that he does not become tamei.
The Hebrew word for coincidence is 'mikreh.' It comes from “karah min Hashem – it happened from G-d.” G-d arranges our footsteps.” You must only learn how to listen.
The Torah is telling us something here: Though we may sometimes act too rashly, there are times when rash action is the only way to prevent a complete catastrophe.
The difference between becoming widowed and becoming a divorcee is the former evokes compassion while the latter suffer differently enduring gossip
Yearning and striving for holiness is a testament to one's love and devotion to the Creator.
“These days of counting are similar to the days of Chol HaMoed that are in between the first and last day of Sukkos . . .”
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
As Jews became defined by religion, Christians could work to convert them--You can change your religion but you cannot change your race
"I'll deal with Levi later," said Reuven. "I'll explain to him that my brother needs it."
The Recanted Testimony ‘A Solitary Witness Said To Him’ (Kiddushin 65b)
The answer to this question is based on understanding the connection one Jew has to another.
Question: What if someone counted the Omer but forgot to utter the blessing – has he fulfilled his obligation? Also, why is a blessing necessary altogether? There is no blessing for the counting of the zayin nekiyim. M. Goldman Miami Beach, FL
October 30, 2026 
