The Severity of Lashon Harah But It's (Surprising!) Necessity for Leaders

Ayn Aya Shabbat v, 66

Rav Kook analyzes the deeper problem of Lashon HaRa and how it changes a person to being more pessimistic and suspicious and other problematic character traits. On the other hand, kings and governments deal with issues where the stakes are so high, they must be suspicious and cautious, balancing it with optimism, morality etc. There are many ramifications here for the modern State of Israel. Rav Kook is at his innovative best suggesting several great new ways of looking at things and at understanding several stories regarding King David.

Daf Yomi Bava Basra Daf 153

כתובות פרק ב משניות א-ב

Between Truth and Peace

May we make the Kiddush before Kri’at Hatorah?

Paying a Babysitter for Work on Shabbat

We need a babysitter for a few hours on Shabbat. Is there a problem paying her for Shabbat work?

Three Kinds of Love

Judaism is supremely a religion of love. Judaism is also about justice. So why this combination of justice and love? Why is love alone not enough?

A Layman's Guide to Marriage

I was told that I should not include quotations from pesukim on my daughter’s wedding invitation. Yet, I see that ‘everyone’ does! Could you please explain the halacha? "I wish someone could walk me through all the halachic steps that we need in planning our daughter's wedding. I am afraid I'll forget to take care of something.

2. The Beginning of the Redemption and Sanctifying God’s Name

Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut

After so many years passed without God’s word coming to fruition, God’s name became increasingly desecrated in the world, and the enemies of Israel decided that there is no chance that the Jews would ever return to their land

What Is A "Prozbul?"

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook

Introduction

Introduction

The Angel Who Didn’t Know He Was An Angel

Understanding the Shalom Zachor

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?

Shul Building

Part 1

Part 1

10 trials of Avraham Avinu and 10 trials in the desert

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

Understanding the Prohibition of Avodah Zarah

The Author of our Lives

Double Wrapping Food in a Treif Oven

I know that sometimes when warming something in a not kosher oven or a milchig food in a fleishig oven, he double wraps the food. When is this necessary and why?

Mishkan Of Dreams

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?

Automatic Payment on Shabbat or Yom Tov

Eating before Kiddush

A Natural Process is Preferable to Miracles

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter B Paragraph 42-43

Don't be disappointed that the present redemption is coming through natural means for this is better for "where we are" spiritually.

Our Wisdom … in Our Eyes?

Requirement for the Seller to Fix the Situation

Tell Your Child"- the Hagada Laws"

Chapter Fifteen-Part One

Chapter Fifteen-Part One

Koshering the Kitchen-Part Three

Chapter Eleven-Part Three

Other Utensils Earthenware and Porcelain Utensils Glassware Enamel Utensils Plastic Utensils

What Houses We Need To Check?

Chapter Four-Part Five

Chapter Four-Part Five

When Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Taught Halakha

Part I: Longing for the halakha classes of our mentor, Rishon Lezion Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu. A sample on shmitta. Part 2:The failure of IDF commanders in the pork-eating affair

The Bedtime Shema

Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Six

The Final Time to Recite Keriat Shema and the Amidah of Ma’ariv

Chapter Twenty Five-Part Three

Chapter Twenty Five-Part Three

The Ma’ariv Prayer

Chapter Twenty Five-Part One

Chapter Twenty Five-Part One

The Minchah Prayer

Chapter Twenty Four-Part One

Chapter Twenty Four-Part One

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

The Thirteen Attributes of Mercy

Chapter Twenty One-Part Two

Chapter Twenty One-Part Two

After Amidah

Chapter Seventeen-Part Five

Chapter Seventeen-Part Five

Pesukei d’Zimrah

Chapter fourteen-part one

Chapter fourteen-part one

Laws Pertaining to Tzitzit and Tefillin for Shacharit

Chapter twelve-part three

Chapter twelve-part three

The Times of Keriat Shema and Shacharit

Chapter eleven-part one

Chapter eleven-part one

The Times of Birkot HaShachar

Chapter nine-part two

Chapter nine-part two

Birkot HaShachar – The Morning Blessings

Chapter nine-part one

Chapter nine-part one

The chazan

Chapter four-part one

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

Who Can Be Counted in a Minyan?

Chapter Two-part three

Can every ten men be a Minyan or are there other conditions?

The Kavanah in the prayer

Chapter one- part three

What should I do if I can't concentrate at the prayer?

The Mitzvah of Settling the Land of Israel

Granted, we are not yet in control of the entire Land, and we are partially dependent on the nations of the world, but we are actually fulfilling, once again, the mitzvah of Yishuv HaAretz.

The Desecration of God and the Torah

Raising Charitable Funds on Shabbat

Daf Yomi- Yevamot 85

Beware of the Effect of the Path on the Halachic Path

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.

What Happens When We Do Something Wrong?

Can Cholent be eaten if salt and pepper were added on Shabbat? Benifiting from a mutual fund maintained on Shabbat? Can one use a clothes that are hand-knit by a relative on Shabbat?

Rabbi Goren and the Temple Mount

The controversy with the Wakf is a nationalistic issue, but there is also an halakhic issue on which rabbis disagree. The late Chief Rabbi Goren tried to arrange a mass prayer on the Mount in 1967 and was stopped by the government.

Rav Yehudah Hachassid and his Shidduchin

“My husband’s name is Chayim Shelomoh, and an excellent shidduch possibility was just suggested for my daughter. However, the bachur’s name was originally Shelomoh, but as a child, he was ill and they added the name Chayim before Shelomoh. May we proceed with this shidduch?”

The Lion And The Lamb

Halakha on Abortion of Fetuses with Severe Abormalities

A fetus is considered a living entity in regards to certain laws, but there is no penalty of death for taking its life. What do the rabbinical decisors say?

Thoughts on Sukkot

Sukkot is a time for Jewish unity and, in the future, for all nations of the world to come to Zion.

The important of 'Bein adam la'chavero' mitzvos

How is it that people are so careful about mitzvot between man and god and aren't as careful in mitzvot between people.

Abraham’s 10 tests and consequences

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

Seeing – In Perspective

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?

Keeping Kosher - Eating Out

Torah vs. Tefilla

Buying Usurped Merchandise

HaRav Abba Berman zt”l, an appreciation

Rav Abba Berman once explained that superficial learning is like watching the hands of a clock move around its dial. In-depth learning, which he felt is the goal of all learning, is like “opening the back of the watch to see what makes it tick.”

Mizmor Lesodah and Pesach

Why is Mizmor Lesodah not recited on specific occasions? Must we stand while reciting it? Some background and halachos regarding Psalm 100.

Daf Yomi - betzah 16

The Lonely Man Of Metzora

From In to Out or From Out to In?

Mishpatim

How Does a Person Convert to Judaism?

Understanding the meaning of Gerus, reasons, the process of Giur, important aspects, the very speacial status of a Ger Tzedek.

Returning Food to an Oven on Shabbat

The Land of Israel

The land would know many populations and rulers but that would never change its eternal nature of being the Land of Israel. The land is home for Yaakov – the land of his past and his future.

Dreams - An Indicator of the Soul

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 38 part I

Dreams are an indicator of the spiritual level of a person. When a dream reveals a problem, we should try and correct it immediately, even by fasting on Shabbat.

Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef ztl

Rabbi Ovadyah Yosef served as a magnetic core that bridged communities, differing customs and varied historical and socialexperiences and events

Old Magazines

Looking Back at the Arab Spring

The “Arab spring” has turned out to be pretty much of a bust with no real political or economic progress left in its wake. Hundreds of thousands of Arabs have been killed since the “Arab Spring” and almost all of them were killed by their fellow Arabs.

The Law of Bar Metzra

Rav Lazer Shach – the Transmitter of Mesorah

Daf Yomi - Pesachim 87

Hagbahah - Holding the Torah Upright

The laws and customs of Hagbaha - lifting the Torah. How do we hold the Torah, to which direction do we turn and what do we do on Simchat Torah.

Short Pants for Davening on Shabbat

The Torah is for all

It does recognize that there are different personality needs and differing societal mores. But the Torah was always the same Torah for all Jews. What was expressly forbidden in the Torah was forbidden to all and what was permitted was also permitted to all.

Writing on Shabbat

May I write my initials on a frosty window on Shabbos?, May I communicate with someone on Shabbos by making the motions of writing the letters?

A tale of two brothers

The key to helping American Jews counter assimilation and alienation from Judaism is having them feel more Jewish – in establishing a strong sense of Jewish self-identity within themselves and their families. One undeniable fact about at least visiting and hopefully eventually living in the Land of Israel is that it certainly makes one feel more Jewish

The Dangers of Nationalism

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 21

Most individuals act morally, but the nationalism of most of nations often brings out the bad, and causes constant fighting and bloodshed. How does Zionism solve this problem?

We Will Do and We Will Listen

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (10) - Mishpatim

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (10) - Mishpatim

Hamapil for Those Who Take a Long Time to Fall Asleep

Shemoneh Esrei With the Chazan?

Blessed Name of Hashem

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (4) - Vayechi

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (4) - Vayechi

Can a Sheitel be Prohibited Because of Avodah Zarah?

A Background Discussion of the Halachic Issues Involved in the Use of Indian Hair for Sheitels

A Layman's Guide to some Halachic Aspects

What do I need to bring to a wedding? Who escorts the bride and groom down the isle? Finally, a short step by step birds eye view of the Jewish wedding.

Explaining the Customs of Bris Milah

The mitzvah of Bris Milah has been enhanced by many beautiful customs. We will explain the background of these minhagim in the course of a guide to the honors bestowed during a bris and the steps of a bris procedure.

Daf Yomi - Shabbos 40

Daf Yomi - Shabbos 49

Books

Mishpatim Question

Question Vayigash

Bentching in the Place of Indulging

Parashat Vayeshev - Questions

Parsha and Rashi Q & A for the Shabbos Table.

Must I Repeat my Tefillah?

Despite my best intentions, my mind sometimes wanders during davening. Must I Repeat my Tefillah?

The Connection for Physical and for Spiritual

Allowing Yibum for Sephardim in Israel

Daf Yomi - Zvachim 119

The Human Frailties that Emanated from the Tree of Knowledge

Rabbi Nachum Zev Dessler

Olive Oil Concerns

All you wanted to know about Olive Oil and its Kashrut considerations.

Flavor and Fragrance - The Bracha on Fragrant Fruits

Do you know what Halacha says about smelling fruit? An indepth Halachic look.

Was Man Made to Work?

The Blessing of Productivity for the Pious

(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:88)

(condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 5:88)

The Blessing for Rain for those travelling to the Land of Israel

Praying for a Rainy Day When Traveling to or from Eretz Yisroel in November

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

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

Daf Yomi - Shvuos 32

Pinchas

Why are Tanach Heroes Also Physically Strong and Military Heroes?

Rav Kook, Orot Hamilchama - Part II

Additional reasons why physical and military strength are considered virtuous in the ideal Jew, and how serving in the Israeli army, actually make us more Godly, like the Bible heroes of yesterday.

Daf Yomi - Maccos 13

Daf Yomi - Maccos 2

How Does a Heter Iska Work?

What is the prohibition of "Ribbit"? who does it apply on? How does the "Heter Iska" bypass the prohibition? and more...

The Death of a Tzaddik

Going To Peace

The Prayers of the Avot

A Kibbutz Member’s Unauthorized Use of an Enrichment Course Fund

Paying Workers on Time - The Mitzvah of “bal talin”

Halachot of paying workers on time in various situations in our days.

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 171

Tu B'Shevat-Renewal

Tu B'Shevat signals renewed vitalization in nature. Some Halachic ramifications of the New Year for the trees, the parallel to the spiritual renewal of man on our New Year, and how our daily, monthly and yearly "timetable" is intimately connected with the Land of Israel.

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 107

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?

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 83

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 18

Pizza, Pretzels and Pastry

When is the Bracha Hamotzi and when is it a Mezonot?

Laws of Shomrim Watchmen

part I

part I

Daf Yomi - Baba Metzia 74

Daf Yomi - Baba Metzia 65

Jewish fear of Jewish independence

Daf Yomi - Baba Metzia(4)

Daf Yomi - Baba Kama(98)

Centrality of Eretz Yisrael in Judaism

Why should a Jew make aliya to the Land of Israel? Can't one be a good Jew living in America? This article deals with sources to answer this most basic of questions and will hopefully answer why our Rabbis proclaimed: "Living in the Land of Israel is equated with the rest of the mitzvot combined!"

Yitzchak as the continuation of his mother Sarah's life

Do Not Be Overly Righteous

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?

Work Under a Questionable Agreement

The Halacha and History of the Gid Hanosheh

The mitzvah of gid hanosheh forbids us from eating the sciatic nerve, a sinew that runs from the lower back over the top of the hip and down the leg. Another Mitzvah is not eating the Cheylev, some fats in an animal.

Hatzalah and Shabbos Emergencies

A summary of PIKUACH NEFESH Halachot on Shabbat. What if I do not now if it is a life threatening emergency? Who should drive? A man or a woman? A Jew or a Non-Jew? and more....

The Great Crock Pot Controversy

Cooking on Shabbat is forbidden. How then can one slow-cook? What is a slow cooker and is it allowed?

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?

The days of Ya'akov Avinu

The Goats Brought Bears on their Horns

On being told that his goats were doing damage R' Hanina ben Dosa exclaimed, 'If this is true may bears devour them, but if not may each of them bring home a bear on its horns at evening.' In the evening each of them brought home a bear on its horns

Missing an Opportunity

Parashat Beha'alotcha

Parashat Beha'alotcha

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.

Jerusalem - Seek Her Out and Find Her

The Torah refers to Jerusalem as “the place which God shall choose,” but does not inform us as to where this place is or what its name is. By concealing the Holy City from us and forcing us to seek her out, God aimed at endearing Jerusalem to us.

"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.

The Horse Vs. The Sabbath

The physical world does not run counter to the spiritual. Its purpose is to assist the spiritual world. The problem begins when people portray these two spheres as negating one another. When this happens a war erupts and the spiritual world stands to be harmed.

Husband and Wife

If a husband and wife are worthy, the Divine Presence dwells between them. They merit greater spiritual perfection than when they are separate, and their entire Divine service, both prayer and practice, achieves greater perfection.

The Role of Parents in Marriage

Today, parents can fulfill the commandment of marrying off their children by providing them with a good education at prestigious schools, supporting them so that they be able to learn a profession, and clothing them in attractive attire.

Three Themes in our Parashah

Parashat Ki Tavo

Parashat Ki Tavo

The Laws of Torah Study

Part 3

How many hours a day should a person study? What is the goal in studying Torah, understanding or remembering? What does it take to become a Torah scholar? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed provides answers to these and other interesting questions.

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.

The Laws of Chanukah - Part I

A Festive Meal? How Many Lights Should Be Lit? Refraining from Labors While Candles Burn Chanukah Candles and Oils Placing the Chanukiah

Mezuza in a balcony

The obligation of fixing a mezuza on the doorway of a balcony, and on which side of the entrance to put it.

Independence Day Reflections

1. Our Land 2. The Early "Lovers of Zion" 3. Moshe's Error 4. Let the Miracle Happen