Chol HaMoed – Weekday or Yom Tov?

Chumash and the Fall of the Ghetto

Judgment, Reward, and Punishment

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Israel's Soul Redemption

We must stand before the nations of the world with pride and confidence. We need not threaten them with imminent death, of course, but rather simply know and recognize that we are different - and that with our great strength, we wish to bring blessing to the entire world and all of mankind...

What are the special prayers of Pesach?

Elijah and the Still, Small Voice

To preserve tradition and at the same time defend those others condemn is the difficult, necessary task of religious leadership in an unreligious age.

Pesach Sheini

Could you please review for me the order of pesach sheini night? I wanted to become Jewish before Passover, but it looks like it won’t happen. Is there any way for me to make up the korban Pesach that I will miss? I become bar mitzvah during the beginning of sefirah. Does this affect when I will bring korban pesach?

A Tale of Two Fathers

After his first Shabbos ends with an unspeakable tragedy, Shimon Ilan’s resilience & faith paves the way for an unexpected friendship and inspires Yaakov Shwekey’s latest hit song Ein Davar Ra.

The Final Redemption

We are living in the period of the Final Redemption – but just like in Egypt, it is up to us to complete the release from physical bondage by attaining spiritual freedom.

Why Do We Need an Acronym of the 10 Plagues? Why Do We Take Out Some Wine?

The Source of Jewish Strength

"What is the source of Jewish strength? Let us be clear that we're not talking about military prowess, strong abilities in various fields, charisma, or even the strength to endure difficulties. Jewish power is of a totally different nature. It has a bit of all the above, but it also has an extra element, something wondrous and different – even bordering on a craziness..."

The Hoop and the Drum – How to be a Good Neighbor

Can I forse my neighbor to stop drumming at certain hours? Can one force A renter to stop the contract with tenants who make noise?

What Is the Significance of the Number 40 in Jewish Tradition?

Korach – He has a point

One can define Korach's camp as an ideological group, except that it was tainted by the faults that bring down many failed ideologies.

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.

10. Listening to Music on Electronic Devices

Chapter 3: Customs of Mourning during the Omer Period

Many poskim maintain that there is no difference between listening to live music and listening to music on the radio or any other electronic device.

5. Weddings and Engagements during the Omer Period

Chapter 3: Customs of Mourning during the Omer Period

Now that we have discussed the duration of the mourning period, we will outline the laws of the various customs in detail

Chol Hamo’eid – Weekday or Yom Tov?

: My shoes tore on Yom Tov. May I have them repaired on Chol Hamo’eid? The supermarket has something on sale on Chol Hamo’eid that I need for after Yom Tov. May I purchase it? Someone told me that Chol Hamo’eid is sometimes stricter than Shabbos. How can that be?

Second Day of Rosh Hashanah

Is it universally accepted that everyone in Eretz Yisroel is required to observe two days of Rosh Hashanah? Why do we read the specific haftarah that we do on the second day of Rosh Hashanah? How can our tefillos refer to the second day of Rosh Hashanah as the ‘Day of Judgment,’ when we were already judged on the first day?

Playing Darts on Shabbat

Can we play darts on Shabbat? The darts are classic ones that pierce the board’s surface; the board hangs loosely from a nail in the wall; in between uses, the darts often stay on the boar

What's Wrong With Wikipedia

Democracy is a wonderful institution, but it's not infallible.

Shhh… It's a Secret (for Now)!

Translated by Hillel Fendel

[There is a] very profound story [that] alludes to a unique aspect of Shivi'i shel Pesah - an aspect that is central and fundamental to the entire process of the Final Redemption. Is concerns the Chabad tradition that the Besht instituted an afternoon meal on this last of Passover, known as the Seudat Mashiah [Feast of the Messiah]...

What Are the Different Customs for Observing the "Sefira?"

White Wine for the Seder

Is it permissible to use white wine for the arba kosot (four cups at the Seder)?

Be Thyself

When does Mincha Start?

Interesting Chol Hamoed Questions

The Hidden Meaning of the Bilam Story

Loneliness and Faith

Reciting Borei Nefashot on Food When One Will Still Drink

When I eat a fruit and drink, if I finish the fruit but will continue drinking for quite a while, when should I recite Borei Nefashot? If I do it after finishing the fruit, should I make a new beracha on the drink?

Putting the Season in Perspective – part I

Rav Kook on Independence, Pesach, Chametz & Korech

Rav Kook, in his innovative style, explains the necessity for modern man to clean his Chametz in order to achieve individual and national independence and freedom on Pesach. If it's so natural to want to improve, and this "evolution" is built-in to the essence of the world, what are the factors that hold us back from being free to be ourselves? The Rav analyzes the symbols of matzah, maror and their merger in the Korech sandwich, in conjunction with free will, as well as nationalism.

Masks & Tasks

The Kosher Way to Collect a Loan

Although it is a very big mitzvah to lend money, some people are reluctant to do so because they know of loans that proved difficult to collect. Must you lend someone money if you are not sure it will ever be repaid? What do you do if you lent money to someone who seemed very honest and sincere, but now that it comes time to repay, he informs you that he is penniless? What may you do and what may you not do to collect your money? How can you guarantee that you get your money back?

A Palace in Flames

May I Attend a Wedding During the Three Weeks?

I live in a predominantly Ashkenazic community where the “Three Weeks” are observed with no music, and certainly no celebrations or weddings. A Sefardic family in the neighborhood has scheduled a wedding during the Three Weeks.

Fasting on the Wedding Day

The Mourning Period of Sefirah

What Are the Guidelines for Aveilus Observed During the Sefirah Weeks?

What Are the Guidelines for Aveilus Observed During the Sefirah Weeks?

Hallel and Nirtza

Condensed from Olat Re’iya, Rav Kook’s Commentary on the Haggada

Hallel: When the state of life follows a straight path and all stay on the beaten path, then matters are set so that especially enlightening times will enable great spiritual elevation. This is a time at which one can go beyond the framework of normal life, to praise the Name of Hashem with a special power of an abnormally uplifted spirit. However, exceptional uplifting of the soul should not accompany man on a regular basis. This is because the proper balance between the physical and the spiritual is the most precious blessing of peace that man has. For this reason, one who reads the psalms of Hallel every day is considered a blasphemer (Shabbat 118b).

Moving Kugel into a Cholent Pot – Revisited

May I take a potato kugel that was on a hot plate on Shabbat and put it into a cholent that is in a crock pot?

Mold Damage to a Rented Apartment

The defendants (=def) rented out an unfurnished apartment to the plaintiffs (=pl) for around a year. Pl left after paying all bills. During the winter, pl suffered through significant mold, which they claim made one of the rooms unlivable, and caused pl’s beds and mattresses to need to be thrown out. Pl is suing for the damage of their property and to retroactively reduce their rent based on the value of the unusable room relative to the apartment. Soon after the mold began, pl complained to def, who sent experts to solve the problem. The first expert recommended airing out the apartment regularly. When pl continued to complain (it is unclear if they aired out thoroughly), a second expert recommended doing insulation work, which def refused to do since pl was the first tenant to complain. (It turns out that previous tenants experienced significant mold but decided not to complain.) Def claim that they are not responsible for indirect damage, which pl could have avoided with additional ventilation and also demand that pl pay 4,500 shekels to paint the apartment upon leaving in the special way needed to remove mold.

Until One Hundred and Twenty

Forgetting a Day of Sefirat Ha'Omer

What do we do when Pesach falls on Shabbat?

Keeping Foods Cooked in Chametzdik Pots

Sometimes I have foods that I cooked in chametzdik pots without any chametz ingredients that I fail to finish before Pesach. May I keep them in the corner of the freezer and mark them as chametzdik? (I try to not sell chametz, especially if it was already cooked.)

Why drink four glasses of wine? Are we sots?

The Longer, Shorter Road

Daf Yomi During Shabbat of Aveilut

[The avel asked in the shiva house; I gave the in-depth answer afterward.] I understand an avel may do standard learning, such as shnayim mikra v’echad targum (=smvt) on the Shabbat of shiva. Is learning daf yomi also permitted?

Nichum Aveilim on Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed

Can Nichum Aveilim be done on Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed?

Whose Minhag About Being Chazan Should an Avel Follow?

I was in an (Ashkenazi) shul on Rosh Chodesh morning, when a visitor who is an avel asked if he could be chazan for Shacharit or whether there were other avelim. The gabbai said that there were no other avelim but that normally avelim are not chazanim on Rosh Chodesh. The avel said that he received a psak to serve as chazan, which he proceeded to do until Hallel. Was that the right course of action?

The Duality of Jewish Time

From Kriat Yam Suf to Yom Ha'atzma'ut

In these days after the seventh day of Pesach and around the time of the declaration of the State, we will try to explain the connection between two national historical events – “Brit Bein Hab’tarim” (covenant with Avram) and Kriat Yam Suf (splitting of the sea). David Hamelech describes Kriat Yam Suf in Hallel Hagadol as “to cut (gozer) the sea into strips (gezarim), forever is His kindness” (Tehillim 136:13). The use of the word “gozer” brings us to a new understanding of that event. The root of the splitting of the sea starts at the historical event of Brit Bein Hab’tarim. There the Torah used the word “Bein Hagezarim” (Bereishit 15:17) to describe the covenant with Avram.

“Ba’omer” or “La’omer”?

Which is the correct version of counting the omer – “… yamim la’omer” or “… yamim ba’omer”? Is there a content difference or only a grammatical one between them?

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?

“And you shall count” – The process of counting the Omer

Roasted Foods on Pesach

Is it permissible to eat roasted food at the seder, and if not, what is included?

Timtum Halev – Part I

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)?

Look, No Wings

Parashat Teruma begins with the command to build the aron (ark), which was covered by the kaporet, from which the keruvim (angel-like figures) protruded. The pasuk describes the wings of the keruvim as “extending over the kaporet” (Shemot 25:20). In Yeshaya’s inaugural prophecy (6:2), he saw seraphim (a type of angel) with six wings – two covering their faces, two covering their legs, and two for flying. In the opening prophecy of Yechezkel (1:5-6), we again hear of wings, this time, of the chayot hakodesh (the holy animals) and ofanim.

Redeeming Jewish captives, protecting wounded terrorists

A halakhic analysis of two dilemmas with which Israel has to contend.

Automatic Payment on Shabbat or Yom Tov

Collective Punishment: Are The Jews Guilty?

Is There Value in Eating Handmade Matzot All Pesaĥ and other details

Chapter Twelve-Part Two

Chapter Twelve-Part Two

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

Chapter Twenty Five-Part Three

Chapter Twenty Five-Part Three

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Birkot HaShachar – The Morning Blessings

Chapter nine-part one

Chapter nine-part one

Post-Atzmaut musings: Rabbi Akiva and the Hillel sandwich

Who Can Be Counted in a Minyan?

Chapter Two-part three

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

Soaps and Cosmetics Kosher for Passover? (And a review of Pesach laws)

How to manage the cosmetics and medicines issue on Passover.

Historical View of Rav Mordechai Yaakov Breish (Chelkat Yaakov)

VAYAKHEL – PEKUDEI

Raising Charitable Funds on Shabbat

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?

The Right Type of Help

"We hired a very nice Polish lady to help around the house, keep an eye on the kids and do light housekeeping. Can we have her cook a bit for the kids while I am away at work?”

Counting Sefira with a Beracha

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

Short Pants for Davening on Shabbat

Use of a Rickshaw on Shabbat

seudat hodaya

Judging “Shofet”

Mezuzah Mysteries – or Is this really a doorway?

In modern residences, many rooms are not entered via doors, but through entranceways. Do these entrances require a mezuzah? In order to answer, we need to explain when a doorway requires a mezuzah.

Pinchas

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.

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

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

Shir Hashirim

Deeper meaning of Shir Hashirim, The Song Of Songs.

In Search of the True Nesher

In this week’s parsha, Hashem continues to afflict Pharaoh and the Egyptians with some of His plagues, and soon he will extricate us from Egypt on the wings of nesharim (singular nesher), a word usually translated as “eagles.” Clearly, this is meant to symbolize how Hashem will lift the Jewish people above all the difficulties of a mass exodus. Although the exact identity of the nesher is not significant to the extent of this great miracle, the curious among us would appreciate knowing exactly which bird Hashem is using for His metaphor?

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.

Succot

Pirkei Avot between Pesach and Shavuot

FOUR

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?

“Hatov Vehametiv”

Wine is unique in that it not only satiates, it also gladdens the heart. Each type of wine has its own unique character, and when additional types of wine are consumed in company there is greater joy - and therefore a special blessing is recited.

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.

The Lost Gift

In this week's parsha, we discuss the tremendous responsibility Yaakov assumed for his father-in-law's property. Does a shomer always assume this much responsibility? Stay tuned and find out!!!

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?

When Moshiach Comes

A summary of the different Brachot we will bless when the Moshiach will walk through the door.

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?

What is an Otzar Beis Din, and is it Good for the Jews?

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?

The Three Keys

"R' Yochanan said: Three keys the Holy One blessed be He has retained in His own hands and not entrusted to the hand of any messenger, namely, the Key of Rain, the Key of Childbirth, and the Key of the Revival of the Dead"

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.

Prayer During the Ten Days of Repentance

Some people have certain prayer customs on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur which are not accurate according to Jewish law. All the same, a person should not hastily renounce a custom which has be handed down from generation to generation.

21. The Dangers of Pride

Just as “cleanliness” must reside in deeds, so must it reside in traits. The work involved in changing one's traits is more difficult than that involved in changing one's deeds. This is because changing traits means doing battle with one's own nature.

As Though You Yourself Came Out of Egypt

This Land is Our Land

Parashat Bereshit

Parashat Bereshit

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.

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.

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.

Celebrating During the Counting of the Omer Period

Rabbi Akiva had twelve thousand pairs of pupils spread out all over the country from Gevat to Antipatros and they all died during the period from Passover to Shavuot because they did not treat each other with respect and the world was desolate.

6. "Zerizut" - Its Practical Application

Part six of "Pathways in Character Development" Every mitzvah which presents itself must be carried out immediately. "When a mitzvah presents itself," say the sages, "don't put it off."

7. Starting and Maintaining "Zerizut"

It is possible to change and it is possible to overcome weaknesses. It is possible to develop the quality of "zerizut" and to overcome the tendency to laziness.

The Commandment to Settle the Land of Israel

Part 1

Part 1

The Correct Approach to Jewish Thought

There exists an essential theological infrastructure grounded in the books of Torah luminaries such as the Rambam, the Kuzari, the Maharal, the Ramhal, Nefesh Hahaim, Rabbi Kook, and others. This edifice is not to be altered.

Godly and Earthly

Parshat Terumah

"Between Heaven and Earth" The Holy Temple in Jerusalem is an earthly revelation of the Holy Temple which exists in the heavens, and so it is concerning everything which one finds in our world.

The Month of Nissan - A Unique Possession

The month of Nissan resembles the heart. The heart sustains everything, sending blood to all of the body's organs. Regarding Nissan it is written, "Safeguard the month of spring," for it symbolizes the return of life to the trees after their long winter dormancy.