Truth and the Patriarch Yaakov

Netilat Yadayim in the Morning

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

What Does Classical Or Contemporary “Semicha” Consist Of?

Kiddush Levanah

Can I be mekadeish the levanah when there is just a slight cloud cover? Am I permitted to be mekadeish the levanah either before it gets fully dark or during the post-dawn, pre-sunrise morning hours? Did the Rif not write on this topic? Why not?

Make The Call

A powerful story about courage, humility and forgiveness, that will change your Yom Kippur. When Nancy Baida and Harry Ashkanazi ran into an argument at a Chinese Auction, they never expected it to end the way it did.

Course of Study in Contemporary Times

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #89 – part II

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook #89 – part II

Bring On The Blessing

A Story of Commitment, Faith and Unexpected Reward will Inspire You to Bring Blessing into Your Own Life through the Power of Bentching.

Rachel Imeinu: The Mother Who Never Stops

In honor of our Matriarch Rachel, about whom we learn in this week's Torah portion of Vayishlah, we present a collection of thoughts on what she stands for, and what all mothers stand for.

When Faith is Tested

The loss of tzaddikim has an effect on the world. "Save, O Lord - for the pious are gone; for the faithful have vanished from among men" (Psalms 12,2). That is to say, when a righteous man passes away, the world suffers a loss of emuna and trust. Emuna diminishes because tzaddikim help ensure that it remains strong, and when they leave, it becomes weaker. Rav Tzvi Yehuda was a great man of emuna, and his loss left a great vacuum of emuna in the world.

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.

The Four “Exiles”

The Power of the Ox

Be Thyself

How To Be Blessed With Abundance

Israel National Torah

An explanation of the special Brakha given to the descendants of Joseph in their tribal territory in the Land of Israel - and how we too can receive that blessing even today.

Salad at Meat and Milk Meals

Sometimes I serve the same salad at a fleishig meal and again at a milchig meal. My daughter told me that her friend’s family does not do that. Is it okay?

Yehuda and Dan – Who Leads and to Where?

A Late Tachanun

The chazan skipped Tachanun, and everyone assumed there was a chatan or a brit. After davening, the chazan said he just forgot Tachanun. People disagreed about whether we could/should say Tachanun at that point. What is the halacha?

Hot Ice Cream - Leadership 4

What happens when your biggest competition is about to incur a lot of losses? Are you happy or do you help? Watch this incredible story of how a company reacted to its competition's crisis.

It is Fine to Feel Insulted

condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 9:83

condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 9:83

Taking Care of the Ill -- The Mitzvah of Bikur Cholim

Lying to Avoid Embarrassment

If someone asks you a tactless, unnecessary question, the answer to which is embarrassing, and refusing to answer is like admitting the truth, is it permitted to lie?

Davening for Rain in the Southern Hemisphere

Part 1

Part 1

The Halachos of Pidyon Haben

About the Kushite Woman

The Torah states that Aharon and Miriam’s negative speech about Moshe had to with the isha kushit (simple translation being, the Kushite woman) that he took (Bamidbar 12:1-3). Several years ago, we discussed the opinions in Chazal that there was nothing derogatory about her being a Kushite, and actually to the contrary. However, there are some Rishonim who see in this matter a point of contention against Moshe and his wife, who left her father’s home to follow Moshe into the desert.

For What May I Pray?

May I pass up this mitzvah?‏

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?

Color of the Inside of the Retzuot (Tefillin Straps)

Until recently, I had only seen tefillin retzuot blackened on one side, but when I went to buy tefillin for my son, the sofer suggested retzuot that are black on both sides. He says these are now common and preferable, and the price difference is modest. Which is better to buy?

When Torah Study Is Not Necessary

Ein Aya Shabbat Chapter B Paragraph 255

What are the divine reasons for the deadly disease of askara?] Rabbi Shimon answered: Due to the sin of bitul Torah (wasting Torah-learning opportunities). They said to him: but women [the fact that they die from it] is a disproof? They cause their husbands’ bitul Torah. Non-Jews are a disproof? They cause bitul Torah to Israel. Youngsters are a disproof? Youngsters cause their fathers’ bitul Torah.

May I Divine?

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

Timtum Halev – Part II

Is there timtum halev [approximately, spiritual pollution of the heart] when one ingests non-kosher food in a halachically valid manner, e.g., based on bitul (nullification)?

Automatic Payment on Shabbat or Yom Tov

This is the way we wash our hands

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

The Laws of Reciting Shema

Chapter Fifteen-Part Four

Chapter Fifteen-Part Four

Birkot HaShachar – The Morning Blessings

Chapter nine-part one

Chapter nine-part one

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.

Historical View of Rav Mordechai Yaakov Breish (Chelkat Yaakov)

At What Age Should One Marry in Our Times

Torah studies and acquiring a profession take longer, so how does this affect the obligation to get married by a certain age? What about postponing having a family after marriage?

Keeping Kosher - Eating Out

The Israeli Flag

Is It Time For Maariv?

When is the correct time to daven maariv? Why is there no repetition of shmoneh esrei for maariv? Must women daven maariv? The chiyuv to daven, Plag HaMincha, and the dispute regarding the correct time to daven maariv.

Making Up a Tefilla With No Net Gain

Dream A Little Dream

What is the secret of Yakov’s ability to survive all the ups and downs? How does he maintain his strength and his faith - by remembering his dream, and the fact that the angels are always there with him!

Why did MBD fast on Shabbat

Insights into Pesachim 68b Gemara iyun

From the Gemara to Halacha - a self guided Shiur about fasting on Shabbat

The Laws of the Hadas

How to chose the Arba Minim

How to chose the Arba Minim

A Minyan Split Between Adjacent Rooms

The Living Dead

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.

Shir Hyichud on Yom Kippur

Who wrote Shirei Yichud and What is it all about? An analysis on this Yom Kippur song.

netilat yadayim

Rav Kooks View of the New Middle East and the True Way to World and Family Peace

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 13 Part I

Ein Aya Shabat Chapter A Paragraph 13 Part I

The Laws of Tumas Meis

When the Beis Hamikdash is rebuilt, bimheirah beyameinu, the laws of tumah will affect us all, since we will be required to be tahor in order to enter the Beis Hamikdash, to eat korbanos and maaser sheini, and in order to separate challah and terumah.

Tradition

The Significance of Tachanun

Although the importance of the tefillah of Tachanun is underappreciated by many, it should not be; it is actually based on Moshe Rabbeinu’s successful entreating of Hashem on Har Sinai to spare Klal Yisrael from punishment after their grievous sins: “Va’esnapel lifnai Hashem (Devarim 9:18, 25) - And I threw myself down in prayer before G-d,” (Tur, Orach Chayim 131).

The Fight Against Assimilation

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?

Parashat Vayishlach - Q & A

Parsha and Rashi Q & A for the Shabbos Table.

Daf Yomi - Bechorot 6

Daf Yomi - Bechorot 15

Parashat Vayetze - Q & A

Parsha and Rashi Q & A for the Shabbos Table

Torah Greatness Vs. Being Included in the Collective

Must I Repeat my Tefillah?

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

The Moon

What Bracha Do I Make Before Smelling the Shavuos Flowers?

My husband brought me beautiful roses for Shavuos. Should I make a bracha before smelling them? I have noticed that sometimes there is no noticeable fragrance.

Daf Yomi - Chullin 88

Dealing with Tzara’at

An Appeal Ruling

Converts

Collecting from an Improperly Written Ketuba

Shmini

Use of Harchaka D’Rabbeinu Tam

Conditions on a Get After it Was Given to an Agent

Pekudei

Shabbat - Our Personal Visit of the Divine

A Claim for Severance Pay After Many Years

To Contemplate the Action or the One Who Acts

MIKETZ

A FAMILY FIGHT

Writing divrei torah and sheimos

Who said the Torah permits to write words of Torah?? What about Destroying them??

Performing a Proper Hesped

The Halachot of a 'Eulogy'

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

FAITH AND DOUBT

Tzeniut in the light of the Maharal

Adapted from Netivot Olam

Tzniut - Restrictions or Protection?

Internal Yet Active Prayer

The Obligation to Divorce “Disgusts” His Wife

A wife stated that she cannot stand to remain together with her husband and gave strong reasons to support this. She told the regional beit din that she agrees to be categorized as a moredet (a wife who denies her husband conjugal rights) and thereby lose rights to payment of her ketuba in return for a get. The husband now is appealing beit din’s obligating him to give a get. [There is a financial dispute as well, which we hope to deal with next week.]

Shame And Shameful

Redeeming a Firstborn Donkey!

The Mitzvah of redeeming the first born Donkey - a long lost Halacha or a practical law for Donkey owners and riders in today's times ??

The Lesson of Mount Sinai

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...

B’har- B’chukotal

The Death of a Tzaddik

Animal Sacrifices in the Third Temple?

Seeing Sound

Jacob Did Not Die

Tasty Fruit Trees

Daf Yomi - Sanedrin 69

Shir Hashirim

Deeper meaning of Shir Hashirim, The Song Of Songs.

Clean For Pesach And Enjoy The Seder

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.

Around The Corner

Interrogation of Witnesses

part I

part I

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.

Precedence in the Payment of Multiple Debts

part I

part I

When Do We Not Make a Bracha on a Fragrance?

When do we not make a Brachaon a Fragrance?

Daf Yomi - Bava batra 91

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.

The Status Regarding Home Expansion

part II

part II

Improving Those Whose Intentions Are Not Complete

Daf Yomi - Bava metzia 116

Some Halachic Ramifications of Wills

Some Halachic Ramifications of Wills. Should a Jew write a will? Is a typical will valid in Halacha? and more...

No free lunch

Responsibility for Giving Advice

The plaintiff (=pl) stopped renovating his home due to dissatisfaction with his contractor. The defendant (=def) introduced pl to Reuven (=Reu), whom he recommended to finish the job. Reu gave an estimate of 90,000 shekels; he ended up charging 124,000 shekels. Pl sued Reu in beit din for overcharging, but Reu won. Now, pl is suing def in a different beit din for giving damaging advice. He adds that def indicated he would negotiate Reu down from the 90,000 shekels. Not only did he not do that, but the price became even higher because pl relied on def to handle the issues. Def responded that the first beit din already rejected the claim of overpricing. He denies promising to handle monetary issues and admits only to recommending and introducing.

The Halachot of Pidyon Haben

Halachot of Pidyon Haben. The time of the Pidyon, Cesarean births, can you give the Cohen a check? can a Cohen return the money? and more...

Vayakhel – Pekudel

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.

Reciting Brachos in the Presence of Unpleasant Odors

Reciting Brachot, Benching and learning Torah in the Presence of Unpleasant Odors. May one wash for bread in a public restroom? Can one discuss Torah while walking through city streets where there are dumpsters or dog droppings? What if one cannot smell? and more.

Finding a Good Wife

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....

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.

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?

The Rights of a Copyright Holder

What is the halachic background to copyright law? Does the Torah have a concept of intellectual property rights, meaning that someone who creates or invents an item is owner of his invention? May a rav prevent people from taping his shiur? May one copy computer software or music disks?

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?

Study House of Shem & Ever in a world of Lavan

What Is Jewish Culture?

“The light shall triumph,” proclaims the Chanukah candle. It conveys the story of the small Jewish nation that stood up to the colossal Greek culture and emerged victorious. Does it also have the power to reveal to me what Jewish culture is?

47. The Distinction of Humility

The more talent and capacity a humble person possesses, the more humble he becomes. For example, Moses, the greatest of the great, was also the humblest of the humble: "And the man Moses was more humble than any other person on the face of the earth".

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 Story of the “Unetaneh Tokef” Prayer

The holiday approached and Rosh Hashanah arrived. Rabbi Amnon of Mainz asked his relatives to bring him to the synagogue with all of his dismembered organs and to place him by the prayer leader. We can well image the atmosphere in the synagogue.

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.

A Telling Drink

Parashat Miketz

Parashat Miketz

To start with “Bereishit”

Parashat Bereshit

The first Rashi on Chumash has a most important message to impart; The claims of the nations are silenced;

Jacob the Patriarch and the Succot Festival

Our nation possesses the inner strength - strength which we inherited from Jacob - to take on the challenging and trying difficulties. Even if our Succah appears to be unstable, a mighty spirit fills its openings and reinforces its cracks.

An Introduction to Jewish Faith Studies

In prior generations, Yeshiva study placed greatest emphasis upon the study of Talmud. We, though, the students of Rabbi A.I. Kook, follow in the ways of our master who called for greater weight to be placed upon faith-oriented studies in our age.

And His Land Will Atone for His People

Parashat Ha'azinu

burial in the land of Israel is equivalent to burial under the altar; The first to insist on burial in the Land of Israel was our forefather, Jacob; Anyone who lives in Eretz Israel, and dies there, is destined to inherit the world to come

The Laws of Torah Study

Part 2

Which should receive priority: Torah, Talmud, or Halakha? What takes preference, studying or helping the needy? Should marriage be delayed for the sake of Torah study? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed provides answers to these and other interesting questions.

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.

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.

Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk: The Pioneering Rebbe

It would appear that his thirst for closeness to God, and his great longing for the Holy Land - the land wherein the Divine Presence rests - shook his inner being so strongly that no worldly enjoyment could compare to living in the land of Israel.

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."

Tension in the Persian Gulf

I prefer to look for the positive side of this atmosphere of tension which is overtaking the public; for, every circumstance in the world contains an essentially positive aspect by virtue of which it is granted existence.

Dates, Pomegranates, and Eretz Yisrael

Whatever becomes the property of the Jewish people, even if it starts out on a material level, is eventually elevated to a spiritual one. The bond between the Jewish people and the land of Israel inevitably leads to great spiritual refinement.

"Be fruitful and multiply"

If, as the Sages of the Mishna teach, "A person who manages to preserve even one Jewish soul is treated by the Torah as if he had preserved the entire world," how much more so one who gives birth to and raises a Jewish child.

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.

"Bring us back to You"

The Days of Repentance confront us with the challenge to "renew your actions in the first month." Renewal, self-examination, and reestablishment of values. Sowing the seeds and sorting the grain anew.

More Than Meets the Eye

Parashat Toldot

Two Approaches, Comparison, Self-Restraint. Tzaddik Talks, People Listen. The Birth of Ya'akov and Esav, Internal Struggle.

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

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

The Four Secrets of the Megillah

One Miracle After The Other; Marching Unyieldingly Towards "Good"; How to Measure? Israel!; The Quadruple Secret

A Jewish Approach to Discipline in the Classroom

1. A Hands-On Approach 2. The Role of Trust and Love 3. Factoring In Personality 4. Student Character Types 5. Identifying the Causes

The Commandment to Settle the Land of Israel

Part 1

Part 1

The Prohibition of Relinquishing Land to Enemies

Part 3

Part 3