Yosef, His Dreams, and the Importance of Listening

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 43

Daf Yomi Avodah Zarah Daf 24

Orchot Tzaddikim class 59, "Dishonesty"- part 1

The class deals with oft-given excuses used to justify lying, such as cognitive dissonance- that people feel a need to falsely justify their stand or personality. Also dealing with geniuses who can prove or disprove any side they want, but we're just interested in real "truth", one of the 13 Godly attributes.

Ask the Rabbi: Anonymous Return of Stolen Money

Hear, O Israel

Ask the rabbi: the 3 weeks are coming: what do I do?

4 Detractors of Z'chut Avot

The Talmud teaches that Z'chut Avot (the merits of our fore-fathers) can eventually run out, if Am Yisrael has too many "debits" or sins. Rav Kook analyzes the various opinions regarding the 4 points in Jewish history when the sages felt that Z'chut Avot finished, and how we manage since then.

פרק ז משניות א-ב

How to Take Payment from a Guarantor – part II

(based on ruling 83023 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)

(based on ruling 83023 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)

The embalming of yakov & yosef: does jewish law allow it?

Report on Relations with New Turkish Government

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: 174#

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook: 174#

The Third Player in the Contest Between Good and Evil

When does a boy become a man?

A Father’s Love

Daily Mishna - Maaser Sheni 5-1-2

Daily Mishna - Maaser Sheni 2-4-5

The Bracha on Blossoming Trees

May I recite birkas ilanos when I see only one blossoming tree? Must it be a fruit-bearing tree? Must I recite this bracha in the month of Nissan? I live in Australia!

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?

14. Hotels

Chapter 13: When and Where to Light Hanuka Candles

People staying in a hotel must light Ĥanuka candles. It is best to light in one’s hotel room. If the hotel management does not permit guests to light candles in their rooms, then since there is no alternative one should light in the dining room.

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.

It’s Good to Be Second or Small

Our parasha deals with the lot of those who lost the opportunity to offer the Korban Pesach on time. The Torah describes these people as having been impure due to “nefesh adam”. Hashem’s solution was that these people should offer the Korban Pesach a month later.

Reciting Korbanos Daily

Between the recital of morning berachos and Boruch She’amar, which begins pesukei dezimra, is a section of the davening colloquially referred to as “korbanos,” since it includes many references to the various offerings brought in the Beis Hamikdash. The goal of this article is to provide an overview and some details about this part of the davening.

Are We Still Beautiful?

Chassidic Tales with Rav Shlomo Katz

An inspiring story of the time when Reb Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev summoned the whole city of Berditchev to the shul to receive blessings and a broken-hearted woman's plea inspired Reb Levi to plea to Hakadosh Baruch Hu on behalf of Am Yisrael..

Chalav Akum – Non-Jewish Milk

The Seudah of a Bris

The Arc of the Moral Universe

When is it not Shatnez?

Questionable Responsibility for Another’s Property

based on ruling 76037 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

based on ruling 76037 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts

The Jewish Way is Not Noach’s Way

Let the Children Sing

Writing a Sefer Torah

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

Is My Stove Kosher?

Why is Hafrashat Challah So Important

Chumash and the Fall of the Ghetto

A Leader Who Goes Down and Brings Up

R. Shmuel bar Nachmani said in the name of R. Yonatan: Whoever says that the sons of Shmuel sinned is making a mistake, as the p’sukim say: “And so it was when Shmuel became old, and he made his sons judges for Israel… and his sons did not follow in his ways” (Shmuel I, 8:1-3). “In his ways” they did not follow, but they did not sin either. So how does one explain the [continuation of the] pasuk: “they went after improper profits (betza)”? This means that they did not act like their father, as the righteous Shmuel would travel to all the places in Israel and judge the people in their cities, as the pasuk says: “He would go year by year and would go to Beit El, Gilgal, and the Mitzpa and judged Israel” (ibid. 7:16). In contrast, his sons did not do so, but they sat in their cities so that they could increase the profits of their assistants and scribes.

Rabbi Avraham Ibn Ezra

Among the Rishonim in this week’s parsha, we find a dispute as to when the rainbow was created. The pesukim imply that the rainbow was created after the mabul as a covenant, and, indeed, the Ibn Ezra explains the verse this way, disputing an earlier interpretation of the posuk from Rav Saadyah Gaon. However, the Ramban contends that the rainbow was created during the six days of Creation. This provides us with an opportunity to discuss a great rishon, about whom most people know very little.

Why Be Jewish?

Understanding the Prohibition of Avodah Zarah

Zera Yisrael

We have been dealing, over the last few weeks, with ideas to help integrate olim from the Former Soviet Union into Israeli society as full Jews. A group with a real obstacle is children of Jewish fathers and non-Jewish mothers. They are, of course, not Jewish unless they undergo conversion. Yet, it is our opinion that we should not look at them as if they have, in the meantime, no connection to the Jewish People. The great majority were treated as Jews in the Soviet Union, where a citizen’s nationality is determined by his father, not his mother. As a result, they suffered from anti-Semitism. How shocked were many, upon arriving in Israel, to find out that halacha does not view them as Jewish and that they cannot get married here?

Halachic Table Manners

By Rabbi Avraham Rosenthal

Seeing Eliezer act appropriately as a guest reminds us to discuss a practical topic, dealt with in this article by a guest writer

How Many Eggs Should be Boiled Together?

When making hardboiled eggs, may one cook one or two eggs or must there be at least three? Also, does it make a difference if there is an even or odd number

Tefillin in Pre-Dawn Hours

work at a hospital and, some days, I am unable to wear tefillin during the day, but only pre-dawn. May I then put on tefillin before its regular time? [Our staff knows the querier.]

The Laws of Chag Shavuot

There is a unique mitzvah of joy, both spiritual and physical, on Chag Shavuot* When Shavuot falls on Motzei Shabbat as it does this year, Seudah Shilishit should be eaten earlier, and preparations from Shabbat to Chag are prohibited * Showering on Shabbat and Chag * When, and how to properly prepare and light the candles for Chag Shavuot * ‘Birkot HaShachar’ for someone who remained awake all night * Eating and drinking during the night of Shavuot and before the morning prayers * The custom of eating dairy foods as an expression of the sweetness of the Torah, and its ability to turn impure to pure

Who Drinks Kiddush/Havdala Wine and Why?

Hagala in Practice

Chapter Ten-Part Four

Chapter Ten-Part Four

the requirement of the torah blessing

Chapter ten-part two

Chapter ten-part two

When we need to wash our hands?

Chapter eight-part three

Chapter eight-part three

I have to pray with a minyan?

Chapter Two-part two

Chapter Two-part two

The Desecration of God and the Torah

Beracha on Pureed Vegetable Soup

Fundamentals of the Laws of Prayer

Chapter one- part one

what is the prayer? what we can learn from our grate fathers prayer? and how the prayer work?

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

Milk Spoon in a Meat Sink or Dishwasher

Kashrut in a Nutshell

The Halacha of meaty, dairy and parve cutlery washed together in the sink or dish washer, with hot or cold water.

Guidelines for Collection of Awards

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?

Hamapil for Those Who Take a Long Time to Fall Asleep

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.

seudat hodaya

The Firing of a Teacher

part I I

part I I

Parashat Shmot - Questions

Parsha and Rashi Q & A for the Shabbos Table.

Chanuka

Ask The Rabbi Vayechi

Kiddush on Schnapps

Can we make kiddush on whisky or must we make it on wine? What is the correct way to make Kiddush on whisky? Do you need a Revi'it or not?

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"?

Parashat Miketz - Questions

Parsha and Rashi Q & A for the Shabbos Table.

Parashat Vayeshev - Questions

Parsha and Rashi Q & A for the Shabbos Table.

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?

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".

Daf Yomi - Chullin 10

When to Ask the Questions

The Curse of the Blessing

Finding a Compatible Place for an Extended Family Outing

Finding a Compatible Place for an Extended Family Outing

A Sales Contract Signed by Only One Spouse

Human Dignity

Some Shatnez Basics

Background on the issue of Shatnez. In what situations is there reallyproblem?

Daf Yomi - Menachos 5

Why Do Children Start With Vayikra?

The Taste of the Fruits of Israel

Daf Yomi - Zvachim 90

Chanukah

Bo

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

Did the Brothers have a Right to Sell Yosef?

Finally, an understanding of Gneizah

Performing a Proper Hesped

The Halachot of a 'Eulogy'

Who should I Choose as Sandek?

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

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

Prevailing Versus Winning

Pinchas

Balak

Daf Yomi - Maccos 18

Eras

Daf Yomi - Sanhedrin 94

Revealing Our Inner Essence

The Water-Drawing Celebration

The Ox and the Goat

The Death of a Tzaddik

The Olah Offering and Prophecy

Tachash Skins in the Tabernacle

Slavery in the Torah

Going To Peace

The Prayers of the Avot

Daf Yomi - Sanedrin 69

Daf Yomi - Sanedrin 41

Clean For Pesach And Enjoy The Seder

Sanctifying the Community

Assembling Portable Cribs and Adjusting Shtenders on Shabbos

Milechet Boneh with movable items, removing leaves from the table, Assembling Portable Cribs, adjusting Shtenders on Shabbat and more.

Rabbis’ Business

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 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?

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

The Confidence to Love

Succot, the Festival of Rejoicing and Water

Rosh Hashana and the Number Nine

Daf Yomi - Kesuvos 52

Ki Tavo

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 5

Shidduchim and Loshon Hora

How should one ask and answer shidduch- related questions? How to ask and What not to tell?

Jewish fear of Jewish independence

Daf Yomi - Baba Kama(84)

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.

The four types of damages (nezikin)

Tractate Baba Kama – 1st chapter: mishna 1

Damages and the differences between them.

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....

Snakes and Scorpions

Joseph the righteous has for generations served as a symbol and model for the survival of the Jewish people in foreign lands. Just as Joseph retained his moral distinction despite being cut off from his home, so did Jacob’s children and their progeny.

Postponing Pregnancy

I will be getting married soon, God willing. I would like to know if I am permitted, according to Jewish law, to postpone pregnancy for two years in order to finish the majority of my university studies without the burden of pregnancy and parenting?

An Eruv Primer

The difference between “Reshut Hayachid", “Reshut Harabim” and a "Karmalit", What is an "Eruv"? What is it"s purpose? And what are the main "Eruv" disputes?

Daf yomi - Sotah (37)

Days of the Omer and Refining Character Traits

Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students died during the Omer counting period. Why did they die precisely during these days? Is there any connection between the Torah commandments applying to the Omer period and the deaths of Rabbi Akiva’s students at this time?

Unintended Clause in a Contract

A Fishy Tale

The Halachot of which and what fish. What is Kosher? What can be eaten with fish and why? Kosher fish...

Practical Halachos of Civil Litigation

Can I go to a civil or secular court? What about with a non-Jew or non-Jewish court? What if I am sued? An essential article about going to Jewish court of law.

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?

Torah, Light, and Chanukah

The Chanukah lamp represents the Torah. Although the sun, the moon, and the stars illuminate and unveil the presence of God, the Torah is above even them. The perfect Torah testifies to God's greatness more than any other aspect of creation.

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.

Fear of Sin - Punishment and Loftiness

Ideally, a person should distance himself from sin due to God's loftiness. How can man, God's own handiwork, even consider acting in opposition to the will of his Creator? Such fear, fear of God's loftiness, befits wise and enlightened individuals.

Tevet and the Seasons of the Year

Equinoctial periods, because of their balanced nature, are fit to bear sanctity. Therefore, these periods contain most of Israel's Festivals. However, there are other times of year less sympathetic to Israel - periods marked by poles in cold or heat.

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.

Three Days of Torment

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.

Galut is Punishment

Parashat Kedoshim

Parashat Kedoshim

"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.

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.

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.

The Twilight of Rabbi Kook

Part One

Not only was he versed, sharp, and innovative in the arenas of Talmud and Halakha, he was at home in all areas of Jewish thought – Bible, Midrash, philosophy, and mysticism. On top of all this he was unmatched in piety and righteousness.

The Weak Point of the Seventeenth of Tammuz

There is a tendency, on fast days, for people to concentrate upon the calamities of the past and on the stages that led up to the destruction of the Temple. People reflect on the distant past when they aught - says the Rambam - consider the present.

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.

"Yom HaZikaron" - A Personal Note

"Despite the great differences between us - you, workers on Kibbutz Zikim; I, a student at Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav in Jerusalem - and without hiding or overlooking our differences, it seems to me that there is much more uniting us than separating us."

"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.

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.

Conflict and Purpose

Parashat Vayechi

Conflict and Purpose. Before taking offense, before interpreting the actions of others incorrectly, one must attempt to see things from the point of view of his fellow and to assume that his intentions were completely pure.