10089 Lessons
Will The Temple Be Built This Year?
Every year at this time, we mourn the destruction of the Temple and pray for its rebuilding. Does this mean that the Temple will actually be built this year?
Rabbi Haggai Lundin | Av 8 5782
What's Fasting Got to Do With It?
A day of fasting in the Jewish calendar – such as this Sunday's Fast of Tammuz – is not one of dieting, but rather a day of introspection and teshuva (contrition and remorse). We are not fasting for something far-removed from ourselves, but rather for our situation this very day.
Rabbi Yaakov Ariel | Tammuz 16 5782
The Historical Root of Lashon Hara
From Siach Shaul, p. 326-328 (1944)
Lashon hara is an expression of evil. An evil eye (ayin hara) looks for something or someone who is above it, and upon finding it, poisons the person’s tranquility and does not allow him to enjoy things he could have enjoyed.
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Nissan 5 5782
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.
Rabbi Yoel Gold | Adar II 24 5782
May I Keep the Skeletons in the Closet?
What Personal Information Must I Divulge?
What information must we reveal about ourselves while arranging shidduchim for our children (or for ourselves)? And at what point must we disclose it?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Adar I 7 5782
Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook
Introduction
Introduction
Beit Din Eretz Hemda - Gazit | Tevet 8 5781
Chalav Akum – Non-Jewish Milk
Rabbi Avraham Rosenthal | Kislev 14 5781
The Infinite Game
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | Av 5 5780
Birkas Kohanim
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Sivan 9 5780
Siyum for Taanit Bechorot Via Live Streaming
On Erev Pesach, I will be in a small Jewish community that will not have a siyum. Is it permitted for me – a bechor – to break the ta’anit bechorot based on a siyum in which I “participate” via Skype?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Adar 29 5780
Drinking during Davening
I showed my surprise to a serious young man who was drinking coffee during Shacharit. He said it helps him daven and is permitted. Can that be correct?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Adar 13 5780
Speaking to The Deceased
Is there a proof from the Gemara in Berachot 18b-19a that when people speak to the deceased in the cemetery, he hears and understands?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Shvat 22 5780
Eglah Arufah
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Kislev 18 5780
Bishul Akum for the Ill
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Cheshvan 13 5780
Understanding the Shalom Zachor
Rabbi Avraham Rosenthal | Cheshvan 12 5780
White and Nice Clothes and Gold on Yom Kippur
Is it indeed proper to wear white clothes and not wear gold on Yom Kippur? Is there a difference between men and women? Should one wear or avoid nice clothes on Yom Kippur?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 4 5780
Writing a Sefer Torah
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tishrei 3 5780
Tefillin Retzuos, Maintenance, and Purchasing Instructions
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Elul 1 5779
Why Is The Jewish People So Small?
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | Av 11 5779
Fasting on the Wedding Day
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Sivan 9 5779
Reheating Liquids on Shabbat
Regarding the prohibition to reheat liquid foods on Shabbat (in cases where there is not a problem due to returning food to a heat source), what constitutes a liquid?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Iyar 18 5779
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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Adar I 29 5779
Donating a Sefer Torah to a Shul
People who own sifrei Torah often lend them to a shul. Is there any reason they cannot donate them (which can get them a tax credit)?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tevet 24 5779
Muktzeh during Bein Hashemashot
May one “violate” muktzeh during bein hashemashot (=bhs; the time between sunset and nightfall treated as a doubt of day or night) based on the rule of sefika d’rabbanan l’kula (we are lenient in cases of doubt of a Rabbinic prohibition) even without a mitzva need. If not, why?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tevet 5 5779
Selah
Rabbi Avraham (Abe) Abrahami | Cheshvan 5779
Davening for Rain in the Southern Hemisphere
Part 2
Part 2
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Cheshvan 21 5779
Why is Hafrashat Challah So Important
Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon | 5778
The Halachos of Pidyon Haben
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Sivan 29 5778
THE JEWISH SHRINK
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Tishrei 8 5778
Keeping my Feet Together
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Elul 28 5777
Sukka, Mishkan, Ohel, and Aron
The connection between a husband and wife is created by kiddushin (marriage), which comes from the root of kedusha, sanctity. This enables them to build a home where the Divine Presence dwells, as Chazal teach us: “If a husband and wife merit it, the Divine Presence is between them; if not, fire consumes them” (Sota 17a).
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tammuz 16 5777
Shul Shaylos - The Rulings of the Gadol of Brownsville
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tammuz 11 5777
Bimah in the Middle
Prior to Shavuos is an excellent time to review some of the less-known halachos germane to kerias haTorah, including whether the Bimah needs to be in the middle of the shul.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Iyar 26 5777
Who Is Honoured?
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks | Adar 7 5777
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?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Kislev 4 5777
The Left Hand Should Push Away and the Right Draw Close
As the two brothers, Yaakov and Eisav, were born and developed, Israel’s constant tension vis a vis Eisav’s descendants was set for generations. The struggle began with the prophecy before their birth that “one nation will overcome the other nation” (Bereishit 25:23).Let’s look at Hashem’s part in all of this. Rivka was barren and needed a miracle to conceive. Why did the miracle include a twin brother, who anyway is not part of the Chosen Nation?
Rabbi Shaul Yisraeli zt"l | Cheshvan 26 5777
Tzel, Tzelem, Tzela – A New Look on the Creation of Man
The Torah stresses the word tzelem (image) in its description of how man was created in “a divine image” (Bereishit 1:26-27). It also seems to connect this distinction to the fact that man was created as male and female. According to all explanations, the concept of “in the image of Hashem” relates mainly to man’s spiritual side; this is not related to man’s physical side, which is actually connected to sinning. In the second description of man’s creation (ibid. 2:7), the Torah does describe a physical creation (“earth from the ground”), into whom Hashem breathed, thereby providing him with a living spirit.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tishrei 24 57777
Sukkah Walls
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tishrei 8 5777
(For me, Closeness to Hashem is Good” (Tehillim 73:28
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Tishrei 4 5777
Non-Leather Footwear on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 4 5777
Practices of the Tochacha
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Elul 16 5776
Shema Yisrael – One G-d, Three Contexts
The expression “Shema Yisrael (Hear, Israel),” which we use morning and night to introduce our acceptance of the yoke of the Heavenly Kingdom, has turned into a symbol of Jewish life. Every Jewish child, from a very young age, knows these words. Many know the heart-wrenching story of Chief Rabbi Herzog [and/or Rav Eliezer Silver and Rav Yosef Kahaneman] who discovered Jewish children whose identities were hidden by nuns after the Holocaust, by singing “Shema Yisrael” as the children prepared for sleep, bringing many to remember their parents.
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Elul 15 5776
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
Rabbi Daniel Mann
Bishul Akum Problems in the Home
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tammuz 5 5776
Earthware and Earthenware
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Sivan 28 5776
The Mitzvah of ViKidashto – To Treat a Kohen with Respect
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Sivan 17 5776
Halachic Status of Bitcoin
Halachic Status of Bitcoin I have been learning about bitcoin. Is it considered like money or a shtar (document) for a variety of halachic issues, e.g., marrying a woman, buying property?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Adar I 29 5776
Reciting Aleinu Along with the Tzibbur
If I am in the midst of davening and the tzibbur is up to Aleinu, should I stop what I am doing and recite it along with them?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tevet 23 5776
What do I do with my Sheimos?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tevet 11 5776
Automatic Payment on Shabbat or Yom Tov
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 29 5776
Understanding Selichot
All about the custom of reciting Selichot for the Salvation of the Clal
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Elul 20 5775
Washing Hands with Soap on Yom Kippur
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Tishrei 4 5776
Semicha and Sanhedrin Controversies of the 16th and 19st Centuries
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Elul 2 5775
Jews and Idols
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Elul 2 5775
Parsha Summary: V’etchanan – Shabbat Nachamu
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Av 14 5775
How can one annul a vow?
Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon | 5775
Parsha Summary: Chukat
Rabbi Stewart Weiss | 8 Tamuz 5775
The History of the Heter Mechira
The heter mechira came about in the first shmitta year, 5649 (1888), after thousands of years in exile. Some opposing poskim changed their positions when they saw how urgent the situation was. Anti-Zionism caused more opposition.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Tamuz 1 5775
Preference of Davening in a Shul
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 29 5775
The Mitzva of Settling the Land of Israel (Yishuv HaAretz), in Our Day
Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon | Sivan 5775
The Bedtime Shema
Chapter Twenty Six
Chapter Twenty Six
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
The Minchah Prayer
Chapter Twenty Four-Part One
Chapter Twenty Four-Part One
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited
Chapter Twenty One-Part Three
Chapter Twenty One-Part Three
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
The Role of the Kohanim
Chapter Twenty-Part Four
Chapter Twenty-Part Four
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
Working in a Non-Kosher Establishment
Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 14 5775
Laws Pertaining to Tzitzit and Tefillin for Shacharit
Chapter twelve-part three
Chapter twelve-part three
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
Birkot HaTorah – The Blessings on the Torah
Chapter ten-part one
Chapter ten-part one
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
Birkot HaShachar – The Morning Blessings
Chapter nine-part one
Chapter nine-part one
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
One Who Must Relieve Himself While Praying
Chapter five-part one
Chapter five-part one
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
?How we should dress for Prayer
Chapter five-part two
Chapter five-part two
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
The chazan
Chapter four-part one
who should be a chazan? there is such a thing "proper chazan"?
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
The Why’s and Whey’s of Gevinas Akum
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Iyar 22 5775
Who Can Be Counted in a Minyan?
Chapter Two-part three
Can every ten men be a Minyan or are there other conditions?
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed
I have to pray with a minyan?
Chapter Two-part two
Chapter Two-part two
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed
Historical View of Rav Mordechai Yaakov Breish (Chelkat Yaakov)
Various Rabbis | 5775
Homosexuality: The Malady of Our Generation
Many people are afraid to express the position of the Torah on this issue, and give in to the power of today's liberal paganism.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775
Lighting a Candle When the Ner Tamid Is Out?
Rabbi Daniel Mann | 5775
Fasting and Feasting on a Yahrzeit
“My father’s yahrzeit falls during the week of sheva brachos for my grandson. May I attend the sheva brachos?” "My yahrzeit falls on Shabbos this year. Do I fast on Friday or Sunday instead?" "I usually fast on my father’s yahrzeit, but someone is honoring me with sandaka’us on that day. Do I fast, and do I need to be matir neder in the event that it is permitted to eat?"
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
A Shemittah Glossary
“What is the difference between shemittah and shevi’is?” “What are sefichin?” “I consider myself fairly well-educated, which may be a mistake. But I recently heard a term that I never heard before: heter otzar beis din. What does this term mean?” A review of key halachos of The Shmita year.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
Abraham’s 10 tests and consequences
The parallelism between the ten trials of Avraham Avinu and other important tens.
Rabbi Avraham (Abe) Abrahami
VAETCHANAN
Rabbi Berel Wein | 5774
Parsha Summary: V’etchanan
An Overview of the Torah Portion
An Overview of the Torah Portion
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
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?
Rabbi Avraham (Abe) Abrahami
Women in Synagogue
Rabbi David Sperling
Keeping Kosher - Eating Out
Rabbi David Sperling
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.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
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.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5774
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.
Rabbi David Sperling
Birkat Hamazon
Rabbi Daniel Mann | 5774
The Law of Bar Metzra
Various Rabbis | 5774
The Fruits of the Fourth Year
What are the laws related to fruit growin on a tree in its fourth year?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
Showering on Shabbat
May someone soak an infected toe in hot water on Shabbos? May I take a quick dip in the pool on a Shabbos when it is 105 degrees in the shade? Is bathing on Shabbos permitted to alleviate a minor skin condition?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
Daf Yomi - Shabbos 151
Rabbi Ephraim Schreibman | Adar 21 5773
Frequent Questions about Mitzvat Yishuv Eretz Yisrael
The issue of whether Mitzvat Yishuv Eretz Yisrael is one of the 613 mitzvot is just about the most irrelevent of all the so important aspects of Eretz Yisrael. This shiur explains the shotot of the Megilat Esther, R. Chaim in Tosafot, and R. Moshe Feinstein.
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shvat 5773
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.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5773
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.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
Making a Beracha before Separating Challah
Before we begin, it is important to note that the word challah was used above to mean two completely different things – the bread we serve on Shabbos and Yom Tov, and the consecrated portion that we separate from dough. To avoid confusion, whenever I use the term "challah" for the rest of the article, I will use it only to mean the consecrated portion.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772
seudat hodaya
Rabbi Daniel Mann | 5772
How Do We Make Kosher Wine?
The laws of Kosher wine, Yayin Nesech, Stam Yeynam and wine made or touched by a non Jew.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772
Chalav Yisrael and Powdered Milk
"Friends of ours keep chalav Yisrael, but they will use foods made with non-chalav Yisrael powdered milk. But I know from my professional research that one can purchase powdered mare's (female horses) and camel's milk – they are specialty products that command a very high premium. So why is there any difference between using non-chalav Yisrael powdered milk, and non-chalav Yisrael fluid milk?"
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772
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?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772
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.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5772
The Torah’s Instructions to Non-Jews—The Laws of Bnei Noach
The 7 Noahide Laws, Non-Jews and everything in between.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5771
Seeing Sound
Rabbi Chanan Morrison | 5770
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...
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5770
The Mitzvah of ViKidashto
Various Halachot on honoring a Cohen, Can I ask him to do me a favor? Can a Cohen be Mochel on his Kavod? What about a minor Cohen? and more...
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5770
The Age of the Universe
Rabbi Chanan Morrison | 5770
The Mitzvah of “Duchening” - Birchas Kohanim
The basic Halachot of Duchening, taking off shoes and washing hands, Why Is This Mitzvah Called Duchening? The connection between Duchening and dreams...
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5769
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...
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5769
Pizza, Pretzels and Pastry
When is the Bracha Hamotzi and when is it a Mezonot?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff
Laws of Shomrim Watchmen
part I
part I
Various Rabbis | 5769
The Nine Days
Various Halachot of the Nine Days.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5769
Shidduchim and Loshon Hora
How should one ask and answer shidduch- related questions? How to ask and What not to tell?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5769
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...
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5769
A Kohen’s Glory
Or Charles’ Saga
The "Gifts" which the Kohanim will be receiving in the time of the Geula. Various Halachot of being a Kohen in our days and in the times of Bait Hamikdash.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5769
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....
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5769
Sudden And Gradual T'shuva
Chapter Three
Chapter Three
Rabbi David Samson | Av 5768
The Seder Avodah of Yom Kippur
What is the meaning of the Seder Avoda that we recite on Yom Kipur? Why do we say it and what are we to learn from it?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5768
When Moshiach Comes
A summary of the different Brachot we will bless when the Moshiach will walk through the door.
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Iyar 5768
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?
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Iyar 5768
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.
Rabbi Mordechai Hochman | Iyar 5767
The Anniversary of Rachel's Death
At present, Rachel the Matriarch continues to offer supplication on behalf of her children, Israel. Though they have returned “from the land of the enemy,” they have yet to returned to their borders. Rachel is weeping, and her children weep with her.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | Teveth 5659
Elul's Intimate Relationship
Our holy books note an allusion to the month of Elul in the Hebrew acronym of the verse “I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine” (Song of Songs 6:3). From here we can learn a number of ideas regarding the nature of Elul's unique divine worship.
Rabbi David Dov Levanon | 5750
Parasha Summary - Vayelech
An Overview of the Torah Portion
An Overview of the Torah Portion
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
The Seven Prophecies of Comfort
On each of the seven Sabbaths following Tisha B'Av and leading to Rosh HaShanah we read prophecies of comfort. Yet, what is the purpose of such consolation if the Holy Temple is still absent and the people of Israel continue to suffer great affliction?
Rabbi David Dov Levanon | 5752
Living Spiritually - Meriting Long Life
Parashat Ekev
Parashat Ekev
Rabbi Chayim Soloveichik | 5766
Galut Mentality
Parshat Va’etchanan
Parshat Va’etchanan
Rabbi Yoel Revivo | 5766
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.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5766
Why was Choni's request answered?
One of the more colorful of the Mishnaic Sages, a personage whose towering image continues to stir the imagination to this very day, is Choni the Circle-maker. What is the connection between Choni the Circle-maker and the Hebrew month of Adar?
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself – Unity and Uniqueness
We all possess something in common with Adam. Adam contained within himself all of his offspring. Still, he was created as an individual and the world was created for him alone. Exclusiveness and unity find expression in each of his descendants.
Rabbi Chaim Katz
The Construction of the Mishkan-The Completion of Creation
Parashat Terumah
Parashat Terumah
Rabbi Sholom Gold | 5765
14. Contradictions between Science and Torah
Many ask: How does the Torah account for scientific proofs which demonstrate that the universe has existed for billions of years? How can this be resolved with Jewish tradition which claims that the universe was created no more than 6000 years ago?
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | 5762
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.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5764
A Look at Tu B'Av
The enthusiasm which accompanies falling in love is actually meant to help a person take the monumental step of getting married. Such emotion, however, does not guarantee a happy marriage. Good traits and shared goals are much more important.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5763
The Minor Fasts and Their Laws
Did Jews fast over the destruction of the First Temple when the Second Temple stood? Must pregnant and nursing women abstain from eating and drinking on minor fasts? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed addresses these and other important questions.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | tamoz 5761
Firstfruits of the Wheat Harvest
National liberation, in its initial stages, awakens great excitement. After this, though, one begins to sense that freedom is not the solution to all problems. Only with the receiving of the Torah do the firstfruit Festivals draw to a close.
Rabbi Adin Even-Yisrael (Steinsaltz) | 5764
Speaking Lashon Hara
Parashat Tazria-Metzora
Parashat Tazria-Metzora
Rabbi Dr. Yehuda Schnall | 5764
The Laws of “Brit Mila”
Through Brit Mila we declare to the entire world that we, the Jewish people, continue to be firm in our faith and ready to sacrifice ourselves until we have reached the materialization of all of our upright and just aspirations.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed
Ester and the Dawn
Purim serves as an example of what things will be like in the Messianic Age, for, in the time of Purim, the Jews merited seeing the light amidst the darkness, a situation which recalls the verse, “Though I sit in darkness, God is a light for me.”
Rabbi David Dov Levanon | 5763
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.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5764
The War of the Kings and its Significance
Parashat Lech Lecha
This week’s Torah portion describes at great length the war between the four and five kings, detailing their names and lands. Yet, what is so important about this particular battle that caused the Torah to describe it in such detail?
Rabbi David Dov Levanon | 5762
The Laws of Torah Study
part 1
Why is Torah study the most important commandment in the Torah? How does one fulfill this Mitzvah? Just how much Torah must one know? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed addresses these and other questions in his distinctly clear style.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5761
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.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5761
Moshe Rabeinu's Sacrifice to Enter Erets Yisrael
Parashat Vaetchanan
Moshe rabeinu prayes to enter Erets Yisrael; Two reasons for Hashem's refusal; Moshe's will to sacrifice to enter Eretz Yisrael.
Rabbi Binyamin Walfish | 5762
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.
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | Iyar, 5763
The Maharal of Prague: An Introduction
We might very well credit Rabbi Yehudah Liva, the legendary "Maharal of Prague," with being the first to "open the gate" and provide us with a truly penetrating look at the essence of the Sages' homiletical teachings on the Torah - the "Midrash."
Rabbi Eliyahu Brin | Cheshvan, 5761
For the Sake of the Beginning
Parashat Bereshit
The Torah is the Universe's source. It is not like a blueprint that can be discarded once the construction is finished and the structure stands on its own; it is not like an idea that, after it has been actualize, can be forgotten.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
The Mitzvah of Mezuzah for Renters
Two Views, Avnei Nezer's Proof, How a Renter Today is an "Owner”, Another Angle, The Ohr Samayach-Shach "Right of Usage”, A House with No Door, Summary
Rabbi Hershel Schachter | כ' טבת תשס"א
Parshat Noah
The Flood and the Tower
The Sin of the Generation of the Flood symbolizes the world's drive to satisfy its base physical desires, while that of the Generation of the Tower of Babel represents spiritual rebellion and denial of God's rule in the world.
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | Tishrey 5761
