Posted on: January 4th, 2013

Rabbi Dayan received a phone call from his nephew, Rabbi Federman, who had recently taken his first position as a pulpit rabbi. "Sholom aleichem," Rabbi Dayan greeted him. "How is the new Rav managing?"

Posted on: January 3rd, 2013

Question: What is the purpose of reciting korbanot in the morning?

Posted on: January 3rd, 2013

Satisfaction Guaranteed ‘The Divine Presence Rests Only On One Who Is Wise, Strong…’ (Shabbos 92a)

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

Mr. Farber looked out his kitchen window and admired the snow all around. It had piled up during the night, covering everything with a beautiful blanket of white. While he was eating breakfast, Yaakov and Elisha knocked on his door. "Do you want your snow shoveled?" asked Yaakov.

Posted on: December 27th, 2012

Size Is Indicative Of Importance ‘He Took Out Wood to Cook an Egg…’ (Shabbos 89b)

Posted on: December 26th, 2012

Question: Must a bar mitzvah boy buy a mirror to ensure that his tefillin are perfectly center on his head?

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Posted on: December 19th, 2012

Yaakov had spent Shabbos at his yeshiva for a few weeks running. "Don't forget to bring your suit in to the cleaners," said his mother, before he returned home. "It's been a while since it was cleaned."

Posted on: December 19th, 2012

Many years ago, I was offered two rabbinical positions. One was to serve as assistant rabbi at a prominent congregation in Manhattan. The other was to start a new Orthodox congregation in West Orange, New Jersey.

Posted on: December 19th, 2012

Sow The Seeds Of Repentance ‘This Potted Plant’ (Shabbos 81b)

Posted on: December 14th, 2012

"A bunch of us are getting together on Motzaei Shabbos for a Chanukah party," Shraga told his friend Pinchas. "Would you like to come?"

Posted on: December 12th, 2012

A Matter Of Intention? ‘The Primary Labors Are Forty Less One…’ (Shabbos 73a)

Posted on: December 12th, 2012

Using one’s creative powers seven days a week may lead one to believe in oneself as a Creator. This danger is averted in Judaism by the institution of Shabbat, during which one refrains from melachot. Melachot are defined by my father, Dayan Grunfeld, zt”l, in his book on the Sabbath, as acts that demonstrate one’s mastery of the world by means of the constructive exercise of one’s intelligence and skill. For just one day a week, we are asked to lay aside our skills and acknowledge the real Creator.

Posted on: December 12th, 2012

Question: Why does Al HaNissim not mention the mitzvah to light nerot Chanukah?

Posted on: December 6th, 2012

For Whom The Bell Tolls ‘Royal Children May Go Out With Bells’ (Shabbos 66b)

Posted on: December 6th, 2012

Certain activities – such as building, tying, weaving, writing, dyeing and sewing – are not prohibited on Shabbat unless they are made to last. For example, one may tie a knot that is not tied in a professional manner and will be untied within seven days, such as shoelaces or the ribbon around the Torah scroll, on Shabbat afternoon. So too a safety pin may be used on Shabbat since it is not a form of permanent sewing.

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Posted on: December 5th, 2012

Yosef, Gad and Benjy headed down to the dining hall in their high school. As they walked along the corridor they noticed a new vending machine had been installed. The three admired the machine, and eyed its beckoning display of treats.

Posted on: November 30th, 2012

Do Not Add To Them! ‘Shabbos is not a Time for Tefillin’ (Shabbos 61a)

Posted on: November 30th, 2012

"Hi, Levi," said his friend Moshe. "I've got a project to work on for the next two months. By any chance, do you have a spare laptop you're willing to lend for the duration?"

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Posted on: November 30th, 2012

You arrive home after shul on Friday night. All the dishes washed before Shabbat are locked in the dishwasher. You have no other eating utensils and you want to retrieve them for the Friday night meal. In order to take them out you have to unlock the door by turning the lever lock to the left. The action of the lever to unlock the door automatically turns off the panel indicator lights that advise you the dishwashing cycle is complete. So you cannot open the door without turning off the lights. What do you do?

Posted on: November 22nd, 2012

A week after Hurricane Sandy, the Blums still had no electricity. They had run extension cords to a neighbor's house to power some basic items, like the fridge and telephone, but the protracted living without power was taking its toll on the family.