יום ראשון, ט״ז תשרי תשפ״זSunday, September 27, 2026
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By David Herman
Adon Olam: An Erev Shabbat Musical Interlude Courtesy of David Herman
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.
Question: If Abraham was commanded to circumcise his descendants on the eighth day, why do Arabs – who claim to descend from Abraham through Yishmael – wait until their children are 13 to circumcise them? I am aware that this is a matter of little consequence to our people. Nevertheless, this inconsistency is one that piques my curiosity. M. Goldman (Via E-mail)
When Chazal call not eating treif food a chok, that refers to how it functions.
His mother called “Yoni, Yoni!” Her eyes, a moment earlier dark with pain, shone with joy and hope
Kashrut reminds us that in the end, God is the arbiter of right and wrong.
In a cab with Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach & Rav Elayshiv discussing if/when to say tefillas haderech
The successful student listens more than speaks out; wants his ideas critiqued, not just appreciated
Why would it not be sufficient to simply state lehoros from which we derive that in such a state one may not issue any psak?
What do we learn about overcoming loss from the argument between Moses and Aaron's remaining 2 sons?
Each of the unique roles attributed to Moshe share the common theme that they require of and grant higher sanctity to the individual filling the role.
By dvora
Because of the way the piece of my finger had been severed, the doctors at the hospital were not able to reattach it. They told me I’d have to see a specialist.
"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."
By Guest Author
The Lemba tribe (Southern Africa) have an oral tradition they're descendants of Israel's Lost Tribes
Nissim Menashe 50, a resident of Petach Tikvah, celebrated last Israel Independence Day like most of the country, he had a barbecue with his family. It was a memorable event. He was standing close to the grill as a relative went to light it but because of the wind, the flame ignited the bottle of lighting […]
The Torah commands we remember and not to forget we accepted Torah and became the chosen nation at Mount Sinai (Devarim 8:18).
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.
Question: What if someone forgot to count sefirah Thursday evening but only realized after he finished davening Friday evening? The catch is that he accepted Shabbos early so that it is still light outside. Can he still count for Thursday evening and then count for Friday night with a berachah once it gets dark? Pesach Bernstein (Via E-Mail)
Unless ritual is introduced, the Shoah will be remembered as a footnote in history in 100 years
Pesach bonds families and generations: "So that you may relate it to your son and your son’s son.
And the farmer can’t help but feel a sense of pride. After all, it was his wisdom that led him to choose corn, not like that fool of a guy next door who planted wheat.
As Jews, we seem obsessed with Yetziat Mitzraim. We are obligated to recall the day that we left Mitzraim, twice a day. Yetziat Mitzraim is a key element of the Shabbat and Yom Tov kiddush. On Seder night, we'll take it to the next level, as we recount the story of the exodus from Egypt […]
This is a night of giving thanks to Hashem!
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Woman Of Valor ‘Would That He Listen To Me…’ (Kesubos 63a)
Prayer is another area where we distinguish between kiyum hamitzvah and maaseh mitzvah.
Question: What if a person counted the Omer but forgot to utter the blessing beforehand? Has he fulfilled his obligation? Incidentally, why do we recite a blessing for this counting but not for the “zayin nekiyim – seven clean days”? M. Goldman Miami Beach, FL
All members of "Operation Wedding" were freed, emigrating to Israel-A true "Exodus from the Gulag"
"No, I can't take more than $65," protested Mrs. Fleisher. "You may not owe me more than that."
The Netziv answered that there is a difference between a piece of bread that was cut already in front of you, and one that was cut from beforehand.
By dvora
Recently, I was outside and noticed two Lubavitcher boys placing fliers in all the mailboxes where they noticed a mezuzah, as Lubavitcher are known to do.
Are you kidding? You know the non‑Jew is not going to consume your chametz. He is not really paying you for it; neither is he taking possession of it.
Freedom alone is meaningless, even destructive. What Moshe said was, “Let my people go to serve G-d”
Dayenu is not a song of complaint; it is rather a song of thanksgiving to God.
German poet Heinrich Heine: “Since the Exodus, freedom has always been spoken with a Hebrew accent.”
Our ability to teach is only successful if done by example.
There was no question that when Mrs. Cohen entered the room to meet the teacher she was hostile from the outset.
Outside of the High Holidays, Pesach is probably the most celebrated biblical holiday for the majority of Jews.
"If I notify people, nobody will buy the matzos!" exclaimed Mr. Mandel. "Once the halachic advisory panel ruled leniently, why can't I sell the matzos regularly?"
So what type of praise is it that Aaron followed orders?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Her Children, Her Whim ‘Kesubas Bnin Dichrin’ (Kesubos 52b)
Question: Must one spend great sums of money and invest much effort in making one’s home kosher for Passover? Not all of us have such unlimited funds. Name Withheld (Via E-Mail)
Yachatz is not mentioned in the Gemara. What is the foundation for yachatz?
First, the punishment for eating chametz on Pesach is karet, premature death at the Hand of God.
Why is it necessary to invite people to eat from the korban Pesach?
How was I going to get to Manhattan? No cabs were going, we didn't have a car, and many people who did have cars had no gas.
Did you ever notice that immediately upon being granted our freedom from Egypt, the Jewish people accepted upon themselves the yoke of a new master – Hashem?
By Guest Author
Why does Torah make the priests go through a long and seemingly bizarre induction ceremony?
Often people in important positions separate from everyday people & tasks-NOT the Kohen Gadol
You smuggled tefillin into the camp? How can they help? Every day men risked their lives to use them
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Rambam: Eating blood's forbidden because connected to idolatry;Ramban: We're affected by what we eat
Rambam warns that a festival meal without taking care of the needy isn't fulfilling simchat yom tov
By Guest Author
Nothing beats some preparation to make it a memorable Seder!
These four parshiyos are viewed as steps in a progression toward Pesach, the Yom Tov of teshuvah m’ahavah, of returning to Hashem out of love.
The obvious conclusion from this passage is that when the third Beis HaMikdash is built, since we, unlike the Jews who left Egypt, would not have the need for sacrifices, they would apparently not be part of the service.
He always impressed me with his brilliance and erudition. But it was his warm remarks and his sincere concern that made me want to please him.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Wedding Day Fast ‘He Accepts A Ring On Her Behalf’ (Kesubos 47a)
Question: If Abraham was commanded to circumcise his descendants on the eighth day, why do Arabs – who claim to descend from Abraham through Yishmael – wait until their children are 13 to circumcise them? I am aware that this is a matter of little consequence to our people. Nevertheless, this inconsistency is one that piques my curiosity. M. Goldman (Via E-mail)
This process, which is the most powerful form of kashering, is known as libun.
By Naama Klein
B’chasdei Hashem, I found precisely enough chicken, prepared meat knishes and various other foods I required.
"Do we have to donate again?" some people asked. "Is it fair that we should have to pay twice?"
If my garment is clean, then I will be careful about maintaining its beauty. If it is soiled, I will not be as careful.
The Ran asks why the Gemara concludes that since we are unsure which two of the four we must recline for, that we must recline for all four.
Amalek's hate never dies; its descendants are eternal & omnipresent; Hashem is our only protection
Rav Elyashiv favored books about gedolim with 2 caveats: accuracy; and no distasteful elements
Though God can’t benefit from gifts to him the best way to create a relationship is by giving to Him
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Why should unintentional sins require atonement? What guilt exists when requisite intent is lacking?
Judaism was so democratic that not only did it reject familial and economic aristocracy, it rejected intellectual aristocracy as well. We have many laws to honor Torah scholars.
"Adam" speaks to the universal dimension of the Temple. He is the parent of all humankind.
By Rachel Weiss
It is no coincidence that Nissan marks the start of spring, when nature comes alive in all its glory.
Before we embark on a major project or make a fateful decision we must get a wide-range of views and perspectives.
So we see that both in the Mishkan, and in the creation of the world, Hashem held back. That is what we do on Shabbos. We hold back our desire to be creative and restrict our activities.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Confession ‘Payment For Humiliation And Depreciation’ (Ketubbot 41a)
Question: If Abraham was commanded to circumcise his descendants on the eighth day, why do Arabs – who claim to descend from Abraham through Yishmael – wait until their children are 13 to circumcise them? I am aware that this is a matter of little consequence to our people. Nevertheless, this inconsistency is one that piques my curiosity. M. Goldman (Via E-mail)
Hapeh is based on the fact that the person who qualifies the statement is the sole source of the unqualified statement and the court has therefore no choice but to believe her.
Rabbi Fohrman considers what it mean to bring God into this world through space and through time.
Menachem jumped into the car and went to the bagel store. He forgot about the sefer he had left outside.
Examples of the group of fundamental commandments are Sabbath, prayer and Jewish education.
By Ruti David
But… “Is there anything…,” I choked out, “that I could do, as a merit that G-d should have mercy on me?”
Even if a certain halacha appears in the same Gemara as another, the Rambam is known to place it in the section that he felt it belonged.
By Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z"l
Like Shabbat points to something beyond time, the people Israel points to something beyond history
Perhaps the greatest manifestation of human creativity in the Torah is the building of the Mishkan
Rather than rationalize satanic evil let's name the enemy; no more psychobabble!
Torah is written with a human bent; As the Talmud says, "The Torah speaks in the language of men."
"But you have all our credit card details from when we paid for the car.”
Even though it sometimes seems as if we have been abandoned, nothing could be further from the truth.
The moment Moshe Rabbeinu was deemed by the mixed multitude to be an inept leader, it was Yosef who filled the void in people’s hearts.
"This sounds like a question for Rabbi Dayan," said Mr. Cohen. He took out his cell phone and called Rabbi Dayan.
To the glee of all Israel haters it was Netanyahu who was accused of endangering US-Israel relations
Over and over, the text tells us about "keeping" Shabbat, about holiness, and a covenant - but why?
September 25, 2026 
