42 Lessons
Yom Hakaddish Haklali Where Was G-d in the Holocaust?
The question in the headline is not one that is simply "asked;" it is rather cried out in pain! Unlike many questions that do not have an intellectual answer – such as, "Where was G-d when a baby died yesterday? Where was He during a variety of catastrophes that have occurred throughout history, some even worse than the Holocaust?" – it is specifically the Shoah that continually ignites anew the "Where was G-d?" debate. Delving deeper, we note that the reason for this actually directs us towards a more profound issue. Our question is actually a cry of despair that the Shoah appears to justify. For the Holocaust did not sprout up in a vacuum
Lessons for the 10th of Tevet Via the Internet!
Translated by Hillel Fendel
The translation of the Torah into Greek was mourned by the Rabbis. How, then, should we spread the light of Torah in the world?
Lessons for the 10th of Tevet Adorn yourself first!
Translated by Hillel Fendel
The translation of the Torah into Greek was mourned by the Rabbis. How, then, should we spread the light of Torah in the world?
Lessons for the 10th of Tevet The 3 Things To Remember
Translated and edited by Hillel Fendel
What is the fast about? The Prophets and Sages instituted it after the destruction of the First Holy Temple, for on this date the Babylonian King Nevuchadnetzar and his armies began a siege upon the holy city.
Peninei Halakha 11. The Torah Reading for Fast Days
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
During Shaĥarit and Minĥa of public fast days, we read the section of the Torah that describes how God forgave Israel after the sin of the Golden Calf .
Peninei Halakha 12. Birkat Kohanim at Minha
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
On ordinary fast days, when we do not pray Ne’ila, the law depends on when the congregants pray Minĥa. If a congregation that recites Birkat Kohanim prays Minĥa at the same time that Ne’ila would take place, i.e., shortly before shki’a, the Kohanim bless the people
Peninei Halakha 10. The Aneinu Prayer
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The Sages prescribed the addition of a special berakha during the ĥazan’s repetition of the Amida on fast days.
Peninei Halakha 7. Sick People Are Exempt from Fasting
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The prophets and the Sages instituted the fasts for healthy people, not for sick people. anyone who is sick is exempt from fasting, even if his condition is not life-threatening.
Peninei Halakha 8. Pregnant and Nursing Women on Tisha Be-Av and the Minor Fast Days
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
Pregnant and nursing women must fast on Tisha Be-Av. However, pregnant and nursing women need not fast on the minor fast.
Peninei Halakha 9. Minors, Bridegrooms, and Soldiers
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The Halacah of fasts reguarding Minors, Bridegrooms, and Soldiers.
Peninei Halakha 6. One Who Forgets That It Is a Fast Day
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
One who accidentally eats or drinks on a fast day must continue fasting, because these days were instituted as fast days due to the distress that we experienced on them.
Peninei Halakha 5. Rinsing One’s Mouth
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
Le-khatĥila, one should not wash his mouth on the minor fasts, because there is concern that one might swallow drops of water.
Peninei Halakha 4. Eating and Drinking Before Dawn
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
Even though the fast starts at alot ha-shaĥar, one’s prohibition to eat sometimes begins the night before.
Peninei Halakha 2. The Laws of the Minor Fasts
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
since we no longer suffer from harsh decrees and religious persecution, and, on the other hand, the Holy Temple is still in ruins, the status of the minor fasts currently depends on the will of the Jewish people.
Peninei Halakha 1. The Status of the Minor Fasts Today
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The Jewish people observe all the fasts, even in the intermediate situation, and therefore all Jews are obligated to fast on these days.
Peninei Halakha 3. The Duration of the Minor Fasts
Chapter 7: The Minor Fasts
The minor fasts last from dawn (alot ha-shaĥar) until tzeit ha-kokhavim (when three medium-sized stars are visible in the sky).
Peninei Halakha 2. Asara Be-Tevet
Chapter 6: The Four Fasts Commemorating the Destruction of the Temple
The prophets established a fast day on the tenth of Tevet, because that is when Nebuchadnezzar and his army arrived to besiege Jerusalem.
Peninei Halakha 1. The Institution of the Fasts
Chapter 6: The Four Fasts Commemorating the Destruction of the Temple
After the destruction of the First Temple, the prophets instituted fast days in commemoration of the terrible events surrounding its destruction and the exile of the Jews from their land.
