Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 24

Two Names - Yaakov and Yisrael (Jacob and Israel)

Hear, O Israel

Saying Kaddish

How Many Should be Saying Kaddish?

How Many Should be Saying Kaddish?

פרק ו משניות ו-ז

KDOSHIM

The Limits of Love

Mother’s Name for prayers for Ill Convert

What is the correct formula in prayers for Ill Convert

Gratitude for the Land of Israel

This week's Torah portion of Ki Tavo begins with the words of appreciation that one must say when he brings his First Fruits to the Holy Temple: "I say today that I have come to the Land that G-d vowed to our Forefathers to give to us…" (D'varim 26,3). Rashi explains that the purpose of this statement is to show that we are not ungrateful. Ungrateful for what? The Maharal of Prague, in his commentary on Rashi entitled Gur Aryeh, explains...

What Do We Do When No Kohen Is Present for Torah Reading?

Beracha on Vegetable Soup with Soup Nuts

What beracha/ot do I make on vegetable soup into which I put soup nuts?

Minyan Matters

I know that a child may recite the haftarah. Does this require a minyan? We had a minyan when we began saying Aleinu, but when we finished, we were short. Can I still say kaddish? In the middle of the sheva brachos, we lost our minyan. What can we do?

The Birth of Forgiveness

Joseph forgave. That was a first in history. Yet the Torah hints that the brothers did not fully appreciate the significance of his words. After all, he did not explicitly use the word ‘forgive’. He told them not to be distressed

What Is the Procedure for the Torah & Haftora Reading This Shabbat?

This Culture is Not For Us

Understanding the difference between Judaism and Christianity via the story of Yaakov and Esav. Challenging the concept of a "Judeo-Christian" culture

4. The Three Oaths

Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut

The verse states: “I adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem, by gazelles or by hinds of the field: Do not wake or rouse love until it please!” ). The Sages explain that God administered three oaths: two to Israel – not to ascend to their land forcefully all together and not to rebel against the nations – and one to the gentiles – not to subjugate the Jews excessively.

Air Conditioner Drain Pipe during Shemitta

In preparation for the upcoming Shemitta year, should I reroute my air conditioner drain pipe so that it does not drip in an area around vegetation?

13. Customs Related to Reciting Hallel

One must stand while reciting Hallel, One should not interrupt one’s recitation of Hallel, The Sages ordained that it is proper that one recite Hallel immediately following the Amida of Shaĥarit.

Purim Is Here - What Do I Do?

A Good Smell Makes Purgatory Unnecessary for Some

based on Ein Ayah, Shabbat 12:48-49

based on Ein Ayah, Shabbat 12:48-49

When is it not Shatnez?

Chanuka Candles Inside and Outside?

I grew up lighting Chanuka candles inside the house. In my community, the uniform practice is to do so outside. I think that is great, but I miss seeing them inside my house. Is it permitted to light a second chanukia indoors (could it be bal tosif)? If permitted, what is the best way to do it?

The Jewish Way is Not Noach’s Way

End Without an Ending

Fulfilling Kiddush from One Who Did Not Eat

If the person making Kiddush in shul does not eat after Kiddush, is his Kiddush valid?

Davening Late with a Minyan

I went for Shabbat for a family simcha to a community with one shul, which started tefilla at 10:00 AM, after sof z’man tefilla. Was it better to daven with a minyan or by myself at the right time?

Sheva Bayom Hilaltikha – 7 times a day I praise You [O’ Lord]

Was the song "Ma'oz Tzur" written for Chanukah?

Serving as Chazan on the Shabbat Before a Yahrtzeit

How important is it for someone to be chazan on the Shabbat before a yahrtzeit? Is it is just for parents, or also grandparents/in laws? Some people in my [the rabbi] shul feel that people use it as an excuse to “grab the amud.”

The Land of His Father’s Converts

It is well known that Avraham and Sarah converted many to monotheism, as the pasuk says: “the people he made in Charan” (Bereishit 12:5). The midrash (Bereishit Rabba 84:4) expands on this phenomenon regarding all the forefathers. It demonstrates that Yaakov was also heavily involved in it. Yaakov instructed those around him (“his household and all who were with him”) to remove the idols from their midst (Bereishit 35:2-4). They infer from the first pasuk of our parasha that Yitzchak was also involved in conversions: “Yaakov lived in eretz megurei aviv.” While as written, this means the land of his father’s inhabitation, they read it as the land of “giyurei aviv” (of his father’s conversions). So we see that conversion was something in which our patriarchs and at least one of our matriarchs invested much time and energy.

Musaf or Hallel?

After davening Mincha on Rosh Chodesh, I (a woman) wanted to make up Hallel and Musaf that I did not have a chance to do in the morning. I saw that I did not have enough time before sunset to do both. Which one should I have done?

Sukkah Walls

Introduction and Biography of the Noda B’Yehuda

After an extended period of presenting ideas of the Chatam Sofer on monetary disputes, we move on to a shorter series on the works of Rav Yechezkel Segal Landau, often called the Noda B’yehuda. (Although Rav Landau served as a dayan for many years, poskim do not usually publicize their rulings on cases in which they served as a dayan, but on questions asked by other rabbis. The Noda B’yehuda did not include many such cases in his reponsa.) Many view the Chatam Sofer and the Noda B’Yehuda as two of a kind. They were in the same basic time period (Rav Landau was around 50 years older), they were important rabbis of important communities at critical times, and the works of each are among the most respected and quoted by Acharonim.

How Fast Does a Guarantor Have to Pay?

Does an arev kablan (strong form of loan guarantor) have to pay immediately upon being asked to? If not, how much time does he have?

Hakarat Hatov – The Heart of Our Religion

Koshering the Kitchen-Part One

Chapter Eleven-Part One

Countertops The Sink Grates, Burners, and Stovetops Ovens

Hagala in Practice

Chapter Ten-Part Four

Chapter Ten-Part Four

Preference of Davening in a Shul

This is the Way We Bake Our Bread!

Some Practical Questions about Hilchos Challah

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Errors, Additions, and Omissions in the Amidah

Chapter Eighteen-Part One

Chapter Eighteen-Part One

the requirement of the torah blessing

Chapter ten-part two

Chapter ten-part two

The chazan

Chapter four-part one

who should be a chazan? there is such a thing "proper chazan"?

Standing for Parents in our Times

Chanuka Candles and Havdala – Which Comes First?

Rav Yehudah Hachassid and his Shidduchin II

In a previous article we discussed the writings of Rav Yehudah Hachassid, who prohibited or advised against many potential marriages that are otherwise perfectly acceptable according to halachah. But first some background on the chassidei Ashkenaz.

The Special Mitzvah of Reciting Hallel

A Return To The Sabbath

Abraham’s 10 tests and consequences

The parallelism between the ten trials of Avraham Avinu and other important tens.

Prayer for Redemption and Blessings for Mashiach

Special prayer to hasten our final redemption attributed to the Ramchal. Which blessings will we say when the Messiah comes?

A Diseased House

Hirsch At Your Table

A brief Dvar Torah on the Parsha, based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary

Intellectual Excellence in Purity

Daf Yomi - succah 38

It’s About Time - Bein Hashemashos

About Bein Hashmashot, the impact on important mitzvot, how will it affect the time of the bris? Dovening Minha, Shabbat, Rosh Hashana, the Gra and Rabbeinu Tam.

The Road from Beit El to Egypt

Returning Food to an Oven on Shabbat

Avraham's Challenges and Successes

The Torah shows us the challenges of Avraham And Sarah. In spite of all of these troubling details and incidents as recorded for us in the parsha, there is a tenor and tone of optimism and fulfilled purpose that permeates the entire parsha.

Guidelines for Collection of Awards

Hamapil for Those Who Take a Long Time to Fall Asleep

Does a Shofar need a Hechsher?

An in-depth review of what makes a Shofar kosher and how to buy the right one.

Crock pot use on Shabbat

Levels of Faith

The pegs holding down the covering of the Mishkan teach us an important lesson it the levels of faith we should expect our children to gain.

Parashat Vayechi - Questions

Parsha and Rashi Q & A for the Shabbos Table.

Chanuka and Shabbat Priorities

One has enough money to either buy wine for Kiddush or candles for Shabbat. What has priority? Does the wine have priority since Kiddush at night is from the Torah or do candles of Shabbat have preference for the sake of "Shlom Bayit"?

Lighting the candles on Friday night

Where should I light if i'm staying at somone else's house for Shabbat? Should we light before or after Havdalah?

Grave Issues about Graven Images

Is it prohibited to look at articles that merely represent the actual idol, even though they are not themselves worshipped (icons), or is the prohibition limited to idols that are themselves worshipped?

Daf Yomi - Bechorot 11

Good Midot - The Most Important Thing

Why did the ever-independet Avraham send his slave to do the important job of finding a bride for Yithchak? Rabbi Baruch Finkelstein teaches us about the beauty and holiness of the Jewish family through the weekly Parsha.

The procedure for lighting Hanukkah candles

The order of lighting the Chanukah Candles, with the blessings, "Hanerot Halalu" and "Maoz Tzur".

Mezuzah Mysteries – or Is this really a doorway?

In modern residences, many rooms are not entered via doors, but through entranceways. Do these entrances require a mezuzah? In order to answer, we need to explain when a doorway requires a mezuzah.

Ekev

Cursing As Grounds for Divorce

A Sales Contract Signed by Only One Spouse

Why Do Children Start With Vayikra?

The Taste of the Fruits of Israel

Daf Yomi - Zvachim 90

The Right View of a Jewish Legal System

The Struggle Continues

Bittersweet

Paying for Construction Work That Was Destroyed by the Authorities

The Creation of the "Permanent" Calendar

All you wanted to know about how the Hebrew Calendar was established

MIKETZ

Flying High – A Traveler’s Guide to Kindling the Menorah

Daf Yomi - Zvachim 8

Finally, an understanding of Gneizah

Daf Yomi - Horyos 8

Who should I Choose as Sandek?

Move on … to Preserve Your Level

from Si’ach Shaul, pg. 23

from Si’ach Shaul, pg. 23

The Torah’s Instructions to Non-Jews—The Laws of Bnei Noach

The 7 Noahide Laws, Non-Jews and everything in between.

Noah The Age of the Universe

The National Inheritance of Good Traits

Prevailing Versus Winning

The Division of Husband and Wife

Balak

Eras

Daf Yomi - Sanhedrin 94

Bridging the Generation Gap

The Olah Offering and Prophecy

Tachash Skins in the Tabernacle

Serving the Community

"Be Complete!"

Daf Yomi - Sanedrin 68

Conflicting Wills in Regard to a Home

Clean For Pesach And Enjoy The Seder

Sanctifying the Community

Ki Tisa

Mishpatim

Relationships during the Time of Engagement

A young engaged man and his fiancée naturally have very strong feelings for each other. It goes without saying that these will be expressed after the wedding, but what expression, if any, is permitted in the meantime? And while we're on the subject, is the attraction of men and women to each other really a good thing to begin with?

It’s About Time - The Bracha of Shehechiyanu

The laws of Birkat Shehechiyanu, which comes first Shehechiyanu or the blessing on the food? reciting the Shehechiyanu on house renovations and on similar fruits, reciting the Shehechiyanu on a Mitzva, the first time lighting candles.

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 111

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 104

Hanukkah: A Lesson for Our Generation

On Chanukah are we celebrating our incredible victory in what looked like a suicidal war, the miracle of the pot of oil or both? How does this gives us much-needed insight into current events?

The inner anatomy of a Melacha

Spiritual philosophy behind Shabbos

Who is Obliged, and Who is Exempt from Chanukah Candles

Fulfilling the Mitzvah in the following cases, according to the Sephardic and Ashkenazi customs: lighting in the Synagogue, travelers, women, single and married children living at home and away from home, Yeshiva students, soldiers, roommates, mourners, and blind persons.

Things That Delay Redemption

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 47

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 40

Succot, the Festival of Rejoicing and Water

Rosh Hashana and the Number Nine

Serve Hashem With Joy

Ki Tavo

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 5

Some Contemporary Bishul Akum Curiosities

A summary of laws of "Bishul Akum" - non Jewish cooking.

The Torah Is For All

Jewish fear of Jewish independence

The balance of hope and warning

Different Types of Gerut

The Main Purpose

The Need for Isolation

Do Clothes Make the Kohen?

Halachot of the Kohanim vestments, Argaman, Tola'at Shani and Techelet today.

Secular Zionism in the Eyes of Rav Kook.

How can we understand the rebellion against religion over the past century? What does the world gain spiritually from this rebellion which was foreseen in the mishna 1,800 years ago as part of the period preceding the mashiach? Only after we understand the rebellion can we glean the benefit and relate to our brothers properly.

Daf Yomi - Baba Kama(72)

That a Cohen May Not Marry a Divorcee

A few days later, a royal emissary of the Empress Maria Teresa appeared at the rabbi’s home. The surprised rabbi realized that the wealthy Jew had broken the convention by which Jews did not involve non-Jews in their inner disputes. He had no choice.

Sifting the Makom HaMikdash

The Waqf have been constructing at Makom Hamikdash - our Holy of Holies, what are the Halachic implications of the finds? How does one regard the finds?

Some Light Chanukah Questions

Some Light Chanukah Questions. Eating in one house ans sleeping in another, when is the optimal time to kandle the Menora? Lighting candles in a Hotel, Where does a Yeshiva Bachur light? and more....

Daf yomi - Sotah (37)

Unintended Clause in a Contract

Daf Yomi - Nedarim (37)

Shaving and Haircuts during the Three Weeks

When during the three weeks can I shave and have a haircut? What are the laws of mourning with regard to shaving?

Flying High - A Traveler’s Guide to Channukah

What does one do about Channukah candles in a hotel, while traveling and in other complicated circumstances?

Lighting the Chanukah Candles

It is the act of lighting the Chanukah lamp that constitutes the precept. Therefore, even if the head of the household is sick and cannot get out of bed, we may not bring them to him to light by his bedside and then set them down in their proper place.

The days of Ya'akov Avinu

Requesting Rain, Mentioning Rain

A person should always familiarize himself with an uncommon prayer before beginning to recite it. Therefore, before Maariv (the evening prayer) on 7 Marcheshvan, one should familiarize himself with the "Barech Alenu" prayer, or read it through.

The Laws of Blowing the Shofar

The Jerusalem Talmud relates that the enemies once heard Jews blowing the shofar during morning prayers. They thought it was a war cry and attacked the worshipers. Therefore, the sages instituted that the shofar be blown during the Mussaf prayers.

Remembering the Temple's Destruction

The sages ruled that when a person builds a house for himself and arrives at its final stage, the whitewashing of the walls, he must remember that the Holy Temple still lies in ruins. He must therefore leave a square cubit of wall without whitewash.

The Ten Tribes Beyond the Sambatyon

The road from Babylon to the Land of Israel passes through Syria, and many of the returning exiles got stuck there, beyond the Sambatyon River. Though largely unobservant, they were protected from assimilation by the observance of the Sabbath.

The Connection Between Chanukah and Sukkot

The Laws Relating to Converts

The laws relating to Jewish converts are most astounding. Despite the criticism directed at the Jewish people on the grounds that Judaism is racist, the Torah teaches us that any non-Jew who earnestly seeks to join the Jewish people may do so.

26. abstinence and Permissible Pleasures

A person is not permitted to abstain from those permissible pleasures which strengthen him, make him happy, and improve his state of mind. If a person does abstain from such things, he will have to account for his behavior before the Almighty.

Honor for Whom?

Parashat Tetzave

Parashat Tetzave

Seeing from a distance

Parashat Shmot

Parashat Shmot

A Woman's Obligation to Pray

According to most authorities, women are no less obligated to pray than men. Therefore, they must pray “Amida” in the morning and the afternoon (“Shacharit” and “Mincha”). The evening Amida prayer (“Maariv”), on the other hand, is voluntary.

"The Torah is light"

The individual Chanukah candle symbolizes the Torah as a whole - one entity which is more than the mere sum of its commandments. The additional candles allude to the commandments - the concrete outward manifestation of the Torah's inner essence.

Morning Prayer Times

How early may one begin praying in the morning? When is it too early to recite the Shema? When is it too late? Should mountains be taken into account when calculating the sunrise? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed addresses these and other pertinent issues.

Mourning Customs During the Omer

The days between Passover and Shavuot are marked by pain; twenty-four thousand of Rabbi Akiva’s students died therein. Consequently, it is customary to observe mourning practices during this period - weddings, haircuts, and dancing are all forbidden.

Concerning the "Revadim" Approach

What is known as the "Revadim" approach to Talmud study developed and was nurtured via methods of reasoning which originate in the academic world. The university, though, is a place for the development of empirical, human wisdom, not Torah wisdom.

The Crowns of Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s eminence stems from its being the city of the Holy Temple, the home of the kingdom of Israel, and the Torah center of the world. In liberating Jerusalem we merited advancing toward the full revelation of the greatness of the Holy City.

In the Wake of Passover

The spiritual uplift one experiences during Passover leaves an imprint on the soul which remains fixed there even after the exalted days of the holiday have passed. The state of the soul after Passover in no way resembles its state before Passover.

National Honor

The whole concept of Jewish national pride must be totally reconstructed. True, our Sages teach that a person should "flee from honor," but this is said in reference to personal honor. Israel's national honor must be staunchly protected.

6. Gifts From the King of India

God Himself initiated our faith. It was not intellectual investigation that brought us face to face with the Creator; rather, it was the Almighty who brought us close to Him.

"Even in Darkness..."

Parashat Miketz

The purpose of "darkness" is to present man with a challenge - the challenge of strengthening his faith and uncovering God's presence. Because Joseph faced the trials of faith and stood up to them all, he merited the light of redemption.

Who is Entitled to be Called "Rav"?

A necessary requirement of every person who receives rabbinic ordination is to faithfully and selflessly continue the traditions that Moshe Rabbeinu started when he laid his hands upon his pupil Yehoshua Bin Nun.

Parashat Vayetze

Ya'akov's Home

1. The Gate 2. Boundless Bounty 3. Drawn to Ya'akov's Home 4. Reflecting on the Present 5. Laying the Groundwork

1. The Quality of "Zehirut" - that Man Contemplate His Actions

Part One of "Pathways in Personality Development" When man lacks awareness of his behavior, he is like a blind man walking on the edge of the river, whose danger is no doubt great and whose demise is certainly closer than his deliverance.

The Commandment to Settle the Land of Israel

Part 1

Part 1

Adar and the Four Parshiot

Part Two

Part Two

Independence Day, Jerusalem Day, and Sefirat HaOmer

1. The Omer, Joy or Judgment? 2. Redefining 'Din' 3. The Passivity of Passover 4. The Activity of The Omer 5. Modern Israel and Sefirat HaOmer