Q & A: Will The ‘Real’ Adar Please Stand Up? (Part I)

Dear Rabbi Klass, I have numerous questions that relate to the Jewish leap year by way of the full month that we add to our lunar year every couple of years. Why is Adar the month picked for this addition? Why do we call it Adar Alef? Why is Purim celebrated in the second Adar? It’s also obvious that even though both are named Adar that only one of them must be the real Adar – which one? Shea Aronovitch Via e-mail

Q & A: Tashlich

QUESTION: Why do some people say Tashlich on the second day of Rosh Hashana when the first day falls on a Sabbath, while others say it on the first day (in areas where there is an eruv)? What if someone missed saying Tashlich? Finally, what is the source for this custom?Zvi Kirschner(via email)

Q & A: Covering The Challah

Question: Why do we cover the challah when we make Kiddush? Why don’t we cover any other foods on the table? Zelig Aronson

Q & A: Brit Milah – A Unique Mitzva (Part I)

QUESTION: Why did Abraham originally not observe brit milah? I have heard that he observed the whole Torah based on his own understanding.Arye Reed(via e-mail)

Q & A: Arabs Circumcise At 13 (Part XIV)

Question: If Abraham was commanded to circumcise his descendants on the eighth day, why do Arabs – who claim to descend from Abraham through Yishmael – wait until their children are 13 to circumcise them? I am aware that this is a matter of little consequence to our people. Nevertheless, this inconsistency is one that piques my curiosity. M. Goldman (Via E-mail)

Q & A: Idol Worship? (Part IV)

Question: What did our sages mean when they said that anyone who resides outside the Land Israel is like an idol worshipper? Is that what all of us residing outside Israel are – idol worshippers? M. Goldblum

Q & A: Shabbat Shuttle? (Part I)

Question: Is it permitted on the Sabbath or holidays to take a shuttle to synagogue? The neighborhood shuttle runs from 9-5 daily, is driven by a gentile, has a designated stop schedule, and is free of charge.

Q & A: The Gabbai’s Dilemma (Conclusion)

QUESTION: If a shul's (or a minyan's) rabbi does not indicate to the sheliach tzibbur to go ahead at the end of the Shema or at the beginning of Chazarat HaShatz, should the gabbai tell him to go ahead, or does he wait until the rabbi finishes? To which should greater consideration be given by the gabbai: kibbud HaRav or tircha detzibbura?Steven LittwinRiverdale, N.Y.

Q & A: Bal Tash’chit During The Nine Days (Conclusion)

QUESTION: May leftover meat from the Sabbath during the Nine Days be used during the week so as not to violate "bal tash'chit" - the prohibition against wastefulness?Rabbi Yaakov Spivak, Rosh KollelKollel Ayshel AvrahamMonsey, NY

Q & A: Tractate Avot

QUESTION: Why is Avot prefaced with a mishna from another tractate? Also, why do we refer to this tractate as Avot, meaning "fathers"?Shlomo FeivelsonCoconut Creek, FL

Q & A: The 15th Of Av (Part II)

Question: What is the significance of Tu B'Av, the 15th of Av? David Bernstein Via email

Attack On Shechita (Part III)

Dear Rabbi Klass, It has been a while now that a number of countries, where Jews reside, have outlawed shechita – Jewish ritual slaughter. Especially disturbing is what is happening now in Greece and Belgium, since they portray shechita as being cruel. What are we as Jews to do? Is there any recourse for us in this matter so fundamental to our people? M. Goldblum Via e-mail

Q & A: A Sabbath Desecrator Leading Services (Part VIII)

Question: May someone who desecrates the Sabbath lead the services if he has yahrzeit? If yes, may he replace someone else who has yahrzeit? Hayim Grosz (Via E-Mail)

Q & A: Pet Therapy (Part I)

Question: My young daughter was recently diagnosed with autism. She does not function well socially and is extremely introverted, but we have noticed that she reacts very well to small animals. We reported this to her therapist who suggested that we get a dog or cat as a pet. We know that most religious people frown upon having pets, but we hate to see our daughter suffer and want to do anything that would make her happy. Would it be okay to own a pet in the circumstances we described? Her Loving Parents (Via E-Mail)

Q & A: Was The Torah Ever Forgotten?

Question: The Gemara (Sukkah 20a) states that the Torah was forgotten for a period of time. This seems to be quite difficult to understand. Weren't the people of earlier generations greater than those of later generations? Zvi Simon (Via e-mail)

Q & A: Was The Torah Given On Shavuot?

Question: Was the Torah actually given on Shavuos? From my study of this question, it seems like the answer is not clear. Leah Weigner

Q & A: A Kohen’s Prayer (Part II)

Question: Sefer Chareidim (ch. 67) cites a Midrash that Eliyahu once testified that a certain kohen who begged G-d for righteous sons merited to see all of them serve as high priests, and none of them died during his lifetime. Where exactly is this Midrash? Nathan

Q & A: Prayer And Its Origins (Part II)

Question: The Gemara in Berachot states that the sages authored our prayers. Does that mean we didn’t pray beforehand? Menachem Via Email

Q & A: HaGomel And Air Travel (Part XIII)

Question: I am very appreciative and, if I might add, flattered that you answer and publish many of my questions. Due to your superior knowledge, I am always confident when I send in a question that I will receive a proper response. I wonder if you could address whether one should say Birkat HaGomel after flying even though flying is statistically safer than driving. Also, do women say HaGomel as well or only men? Menachem

Q & A: Yom Kippur Katan

QUESTION: What are the origins and customs of Yom Kippur Katan, lit. "the lesser Yom Kippur?"Ben GlassmanBrooklyn, NY

Q & A: The Lunar Leap Year (Part II)

Question: Why is there an extra month in the Jewish calendar every few years? And who decides whether a particular year should be a leap year or not? Name Withheld Toronto, Ontario

Q & A: A Bar Mitzvah Boy And The Four Parshiyot (Part II)

Question: Is a bar mitzvah boy allowed to read the four parshiyot in shul on behalf of the congregation? Elimelech Feldman

Q & A: The Leap Year At Adar (Part IV)

Why does the Jewish leap year always consist of two Adars? Why specifically Adar? Menachem (Via E-Mail)

Q & A: What Constitutes Charity? (Part I)

Question: I have three questions. First, what exactly constitutes charity? Second, how much does a person have to give? Third, can one consider a tip to a waiter at a restaurant charity considering how little waiters make? Zelig Aronson Queens, NY

Q & A: Staying Awake Shavuot Night

Question: Many people stay awake Shavuot night and learn Torah. Is this proper considering that one’s davening the next morning may lack kavannah as a result? Wouldn’t it make more sense to get a good night’s sleep and then learn with more fervor the next day? No Name Please (Via E-Mail)

Q & A: Lenient Or Stringent Ruling From The Rabbi (Part I)

Question: My rabbi recently ruled leniently in a certain matter relating to the laws of mourning. Am I disrespecting my late mother if I follow this advice? Name withheld on request Via email

Q & A: Proper Ritual For Netilat Yadayim (Part I)

Question: Should we wash our hands in the bathroom with soap and water, or by pouring water from a vessel with handles three times on each hand alternatingly? I have heard it said that a vessel is used only in the morning upon awakening. What are the rules pertaining young children? What is the protocol if no vessel is available? Additionally, may we dry our hands via an electric dryer? Harry Koenigsberg (Via E-Mail)

Q & A: A Missed Torah Reading (Part I)

Question: If a person was ill on Shabbos and unable to go to shul to hear Keri’at haTorah, must he have someone read it to him in shul upon his recovery? Sincerely, Isaac Greenberg

Q & A: Shnayyim Mikra Ve’echad Targum – Torah Twice And Onkelos Once (Part...

Question: I’m told that it is meritorious to complete the reading of the weekly Torah portion during the week and that it is a segula bestowing the blessing of long life. Does this apply even if one has no understanding of the text? Shmuel B. Via Email

Q & A: Elul – The Gateway To Repentance (Part II)

Question: How should one do teshuvah during this Elul and Yamim Nora’im season? Zvi Unger

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