יום שני, 22 יוני 2026Monday, June 22, 2026
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יום שני, ז׳ תמוז תשפ״וMonday, June 22, 2026
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E-Edition

Orach Chayim

Halacha & Hashkafa

Daf Yomi

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum

For Whom The Bell Tolls ‘Royal Children May Go Out With Bells’ (Shabbos 66b)

Halacha & Hashkafa

Daf Yomi

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum

Children And Corpses ‘A Body Lying In The Sun…’ (Shabbos 43b)

Halacha & Hashkafa

Daf Yomi

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum

Enjoying A Hot Dish ‘What Was Really Meant Was Replacing It…’ (Shabbos 37a)

Halacha & Hashkafa

Support Of Sechach

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

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)?

Halacha & Hashkafa

Standing And Sitting For Kiddush On Sukkot

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

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?

Halacha & Hashkafa

Daf Yomi

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum

Shehakol Bread? ‘One Recites A Blessing On The Primary Food’ (Berachos 44a)

Torah

L’Zera Yaakov Tizkor

By Rabbi Nosson Dovid Rabinowich

A passage at the end of the Zichronot blessing in the Mussaf Amidah of Rosh Hashanah appears to have two slightly different versions. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim, 591:7) rules that this is the correct text: “V’akeidas Yitzchak hayom l’zaro tizkor.” It also rules and those who change the words and specify “l’zera Yaakov tizkor” are mistaken and guilty of changing the text instituted by Chazal. The source for this ruling is a responsum (chapter 38) by the Spanish and then Algerian Rivash (14th century).

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part XIV)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: What should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? Some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Halacha & Hashkafa

Daf Yomi

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum

What About Ma’ariv? ‘The Bridegroom Is Exempt From Kerias Shema’ (Berachos 16a)

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part XII)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shemoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part XI)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shemoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part X)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shemoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part IX)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shmoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail

Halacha & Hashkafa

Music During The Nine Days (Part II)

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

Question: Is it prohibited to listen to music in the privacy of one’s home (or car) during the Nine Days?

Halacha & Hashkafa

Music During The Nine Days (Part I)

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

Question: Is it prohibited to listen to music in the privacy of one’s home (or car) during the Nine Days?

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Tisha B’Av And Mourning

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I was taught that due to our state of mourning on Tisha B’Av, we are not allowed to learn or discuss Torah – a topic that makes us happy and weakens our mournful state. Why, then, are we allowed to read from the Torah at Shacharit and Mincha on Tisha B’Av? Also, does the halacha of not learning apply to a regular mourner as well? Menachem (Via E-Mail)

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part VIII)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shmoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part VII)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shmoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part VI)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shmoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part V)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shmoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part IV)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shmoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches Kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of Kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of Kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Halacha & Hashkafa

Seudah Shlishit Before Yom Tov

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

Question: Whenever a yom tov starts on Sunday (like this year), synagogues generally forego their Seudah Shlishit, eaten after Minchah on Shabbat. But why? If one is supposed to eat a third meal every Shabbos, why skip it if a yom tov starts that night?

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Staying Awake Shavuot Night

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: Many people stay awake Shavuot night and learn Torah. Is this proper considering that one’s davening the next morning may lack kavannah as a result? Wouldn’t it make more sense to get a good night’s sleep and then learn with more fervor the next day? No Name Please (Via E-Mail)

Halacha & Hashkafa

Sefirat Ha’Omer At Sunset

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

Question: May one recite Sefirat Ha’Omer with a berachah after sunset (shekiah)?

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Chazzan And Congregation (Part I)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: I understand that at a minyan, the chazzan is required to repeat Shmoneh Esreh out loud so that people who may not know how to daven can fulfill their obligation to daven with the chazzan’s repetition. What, however, should the chazzan do when he reaches kedushah and Modim? I hear some chazzanim say every word of kedushah out loud and some only say the last part of the middle two phrases out loud. As far as the congregation is concerned, I hear some congregants say every word of kedushah and some say only the last part. Finally, some chazzanim and congregants say Modim during chazaras hashatz out loud and some say it quietly. What is the source for these various practices? A Devoted Reader (Via E-Mail)

Halacha & Hashkafa

After The Amidah

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

Question: At the conclusion of the Amidah, should the chazzan say “Yiyu leratzon imrei fi… – May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable before you, G-d, my Rock and Redeemer”?

Halacha & Hashkafa

A Silver Atarah On A Talit

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

Question: I have heard that some halachic authorities disapprove of placing a silver atarah on a talit. Is this true?

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Shir HaShirim On Pesach

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: Why do we read Shir HaShirim on Pesach? Also, why do we generally read it on the Shabbat of Chol HaMoed as opposed to the first days of Pesach? Finally, why don’t we recite a blessing over the reading of Shir HaShirim as we do for Megillat Esther? Menachem (Via E-Mail)

Halacha & Hashkafa

How Much Matzah?

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

Question: How much matzah must one eat at the Pesach Seder?

Halacha & Hashkafa

Eating Matzah Before Pesach

By Rabbi J. Simcha Cohen

Question: What is the basis of the custom to refrain from eating matzah for a period of time before Pesach?

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: The Arba Parshiyot (Part I)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: Why do we read four special Torah sections between Purim and Pesach. Also, why do we call each of the four Shabbatot on which we read these sections by a special name – such as Shabbat Shekalim, Shabbat Zachor etc.? Celia Gluck (Via E-Mail)

Judaism

Drinking on Purim: Holy or Wholly Irresponsible?

By Rabbi Shimshon HaKohen Nadel

The word the Gemara uses to get drunk on wine is “l’besumai,” literally - to become fragrant. Not stinking drunk, but rather like the incense in the Holy Temple; a sweet smelling aroma.

Ask the Rabbi

Q & A: Tying Knots On Shabbat (Part III)

By Rabbi Yaakov Klass

Question: My son recently stopped wearing a necktie and lace-up shoes on Shabbat. He explained that he doesn’t want to transgress the prohibition against tying knots on Shabbat. Is tying a necktie or shoelaces really forbidden? “A Mother in Israel” (Via E-Mail)

E-Edition

Serials

Freedom Is the Ownership of Time

By Itamar Frankenthal

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