יום שני, ח׳ חשוון תשפ״זMonday, October 19, 2026
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Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah? Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
At the end of his exhausting second 40 day effort, again without food or water, Moshe was rewarded with a command to hew new tablets, as Hashem accepted his petition and forgave them.
The farmer understands he didn’t bring the rain. It wasn’t his acumen that stopped the pestilence.
The second parshah of Shema is referring to keeping the rest of the mitzvos, and there the Torah does not require that one spend all of his money in order to perform the mitzvos.
Is it because of merit or the promise to our ancestors that B'nai Israel gets to enter Israel?
In the Shema, Jews sense personal address but know deepest expression of loyalty to God is communal
By internalizing the Exodus, it is as if we ourselves were redeemed from Egypt.
Each Shabbos we add the tefilla of “Ritzei” to Birchas HaMazon. In it we ask Hashem that on this day of Shabbos He should be pleased with us and save us. What exactly do we want to be saved from? Before we answer this question, let’s talk about this Friday, the 15th of Av. Many […]
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Amongst the greatest disagreements in Judaism is the understanding of the 1st of the 10 Commandments
We studied his seforim together, we listened to famous cantorial masters and we spoke of his illustrious yichus, his pedigree, dating back to the famous commentator, Rashi.
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?"
Why would Moshe Rabbeinu have thought that the vow that disallowed him to enter Eretz Yisrael was annulled simply because he was allowed to conquer and enter the land of Sichon and Og?
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah? Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
By D. B. Estrin
Snow in Jerusalem! For many New Englanders like me, snow pulls at our nostalgic heartstrings like nothing else can.
Man has conflicting wishes and desires. Man has forces pulling him in competing directions.
Perhaps the admonition here is that we should not trivialize the events of the past by saying that they are irrelevant to the modern Jew.
By Tzvi Fishman
One must view the settlement of Israel in a positive light. Thinking otherwise is a grievous sin.
Reaching a stronger understanding of what Moses actually did to prevent him from entering the land
Anti-Zionism, today's anti-Semitism, has gone viral, tragically supported globally & by many Jews
The 10 Statements main point was not content but the encounter between G-d & His nation, Israel
Before going in, I had told R’ Nachum all of the things we were doing in Philly, and how it was very important to receive a good bracha on behalf of our newest venture, a Russian Kollel.
Question: When a stranger approaches a congregant in shul asking for tzedakah, should the congregant verify that the person’s need is genuine? Furthermore, what constitutes tzedakah? Is a donation to a synagogue, yeshiva, or hospital considered tzedakah? Zvi Kirschner (Via E-Mail)
By JNi.Media
(JNi.media) Tisha B’Av (Heb: 9th of the month of Av) is a fast day according to rabbinic law and tradition, commemorating the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BCE by the army of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and the destruction of the Second Temple in the year 70 CE by the Roman army led […]
Devarim often parallels the stories in Bereishit but in reverse & can be considered as a corrective
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
‘Older’ By A Month ‘…Until The Beginning Of Adar’ (Nedarim 63a)
On Super Bowl Sunday itself, life seems to stop. Over one hundred million people watch the game. About half of the households in the country show it in their living rooms and dens.
Moses begins Sefer Devarim reviewing much of the 40 years in the desert & why he can't enter Israel
While they are definitely special occurrences, why are they cause for a new holiday?
By Tzvi Fishman
Torah wasn’t given to be kept in Sinai; Brooklyn or Beverly Hills-It was meant to be kept in Israel!
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
"When a king dies his power ends; when a prophet dies his influence begins" & their words echo today
In addition to the restrictions of Tisha B’Av, there are several restrictions that one may not perform during the week that Tisha B’Av falls in.
The word “shavat” in the first kina of Tisha B’Av morning indicates a sudden suspension and cessation of time that accompanied the Temple's destruction.
The two decided to approach Rabbi Dayan. "What is the halachic status of conquered territory?" asked Shalom.
The Jewish home was once a mikdash me’at. We must recreate that sanctuary to restore shalom bayis.
Words & expressions that don’t appear anywhere in Torah’s first 4 books suddenly appear in Devarim
Feeling Hashem's presence in our lives is the very purpose of the Beis HaMikdash.
Knowing and feeling that Torah is the only absolute truth will not only help us serve Hashem properly, it will also help us reach out to others. We can be confident that we are offering them the best product possible.
When living in Israel, how can we be a light to the world's nations if we don’t live among non-Jews?
On Shabbat during the nine days, one may don freshly laundered clothes, eat meat and drink wine, including Havdalah wine.
Question: Should we wash our hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or by pouring water from a vessel with handles three times, alternating hands? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning upon awakening. What are the rules pertaining to young children? What is the protocol if no vessel is available? Additionally, may we dry our hands via an electric dryer? Harry Koenigsberg (Via E-Mail)
Since the students knew the housing rules in advance they should not have picked Yale hoping for an exception in their instance.
In contemporary society, most souls are undernourished to the point of “neshamah anorexia.”
"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)
Analyzing the request to live on Jordan's other side to understand true communication: Trust&Respect
Quite different from computers or a secretarial work which are much more in demand, the need for a sports or exercise teacher was obviously not very high, and as much as Sharon looked for work, she remained unemployed.
There are certain restrictions and abstentions that apply to Tisha B’Av that do not apply to regular aveilus.
Gad’s tremendous wealth considered with other points led rabbis to deduce Gad was very materialistic
The story of Zelophehad's daughters demonstrates Torah’s flexibility and ensuring justice.
By Rachel Weiss
A man from a distant city once came to Reb Hershel to bemoan the sorry state of his business affairs. To the tzaddik’s inquiry about the extent of his knowledge of religious practice, the man readily admitted his ignorance.
While leadership is always needed, complex situations require it at the highest level.
Not everybody’s greatness is readily apparent. Am mkadhsei shvi’i refers to the masses, the less notable among us, who exhibit the hidden, Rosh Chodesh type of sanctity.
"But I'm already dwelling in the apartment," said Mr. Gold. "Shouldn't that count? I'm no worse than a neighbor!"
Question: Should we wash our hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or by pouring water from a vessel with handles three times, alternating hands? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning upon awakening. What are the rules pertaining to young children? What is the protocol if no vessel is available? Additionally, may we dry our hands via an electric dryer? Harry Koenigsberg (Via E-Mail)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Going Public ‘From A Wealthy Roman Lady’ (Nedarim 50a)
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Sharing influence is like lighting a candle with another: it doesn't mean having less; you have more
By Naama Klein
Yesterday was another heartening day, one that provided me with yet another unexpected, but much-needed boost to my mood and self-esteem.
We do not find that Pinchas was chastised for what he did; on the contrary he was greatly rewarded.
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.
Why does the Torah group "random" stories together in Parshat Pinchas? Are they really RANDOM?
Money comes and goes but its love, commitment, warmth, and kindness that make a family a family.
5 sisters, with no brothers, questioned an assumed law concerning land inheritance in Israel-and won
With Ruth, The Torah seems to be stating that children shouldn't be punished for the sins of parents
Without a foundation, one cannot hope to build a structure.
Why do we have a parsha in Sefer Shemos named after Yisro who was not only a former idolater, but actually served as a priest for Avodah Zarah!
Question: Should we wash our hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or by pouring water from a vessel with handles three times, alternating hands? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning upon awakening. What are the rules pertaining to young children? What is the protocol if no vessel is available? Additionally, may we dry our hands via an electric dryer? Harry Koenigsberg (Via E-Mail)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
This Land Is ‘My’ Land ‘[If The Vow Was Imposed] In The Seventh Year…’ (Nedarim 42b)
The Shulchan Aruch in the very first siman states that one should rise in the morning like a lion, implying that simply rising form bed requires strength of a lion, in line with the Midrash.
Attempts to interpret the message of Hashem in the absence of divine prophecy ultimately may twist that message in unintended ways that can lead to calamitous events.
By dvora
Suddenly, the pilot's voice could be heard. He explained that this was a special day for those passengers on board who lived in Israel.
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.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
All agree that Jews ARE different. How? Why? The Bible's answer is surprising and profound.
What's the nation of Israel's purpose in the world? How we can bring God's blessings into the world?
"Is there a difference between rescuing and other services?" asked Ploni.
To my dismay, I've seen that shidduch candidates with money become ALL desirable traits for marriage
Bil’am’s character is complex and nuanced; neither purely good nor purely evil.
Amalek, our ultimate foe, understood that when unified, we are invincible and indestructible.
Perhaps on a deeper level, the mitzvah of parah adumah at this junction was not just to purify the body, but the spirit as well.
We tend to justify and idealize this division with pride attributing these tendencies as demonstrating a higher level of kedushah.
Halacha isn't random; it's a mechanism guiding individuals and society to a higher ethical plateau.
Question: Should we wash our hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or by pouring water from a vessel with handles three times, alternating hands? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning upon awakening. What are the rules pertaining to young children? What is the protocol if no vessel is available? Additionally, may we dry our hands via an electric dryer? Harry Koenigsberg (Via E-Mail)
Less clear, however, is whether the concept applies to the area of civil law such as the law of transfer of property.
The greatest of men, Moshe, had to wait for Hashem to sprinkle purifying waters on Bnei Yisrael to mark the conclusion of the period of death.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
My Plate, My Food ‘My Loaf Is Forbidden To You’ (Nedarim 34b)
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Of Chukkim “Satan and the nations of the world made fun.” They may appear irrational & superstitious
By dvora
I realized from this story that I was sent as a messenger from above. Hashem has many helpers in this world to help do his work.
Tosafos answers that nevertheless the sprinkling is a part of his taharah process.
"What difference does that make?" replied Shraga. "What counts is the agreement that we made. I said two hundred fifty and you accepted."
What was Moses thinking when he struck the rock?
Zaidie’s legacy of smiles and loving words was all but buried with him, now the family fights over $
October 16, 2026 
