Posted on: June 7th, 2012

Question: Why do we celebrate when a boy becomes bar mitzvah?

Posted on: June 6th, 2012

A Shabbos Treat ‘Snow Is Neither Food Nor Drink’ (Niddah 17a)

Posted on: June 1st, 2012

Somewhat Lacking ‘A Deaf Woman, An Imbecile…’ (Niddah 13b)

Posted on: June 1st, 2012

Question: Whenever a yom tov starts on Sunday (like this year), synagogues generally forego their Seudah Shlishit, eaten after Minchah on Shabbat. But why? If one is supposed to eat a third meal every Shabbos, why skip it if a yom tov starts that night?

Posted on: June 1st, 2012

Mr. Sam Braun stood at the back door of his house with another man dressed in rugged jeans and a baseball cap, surveying the back yard. The man had a tape measure in his hands, and took measurements along the length and width of the yard. The two then walked to the side of the house and again measured and talked, gesticulating with their hands.

Posted on: May 24th, 2012

Location, Location! ‘Alive Until Determined Otherwise’ (Niddah 4)

Posted on: May 23rd, 2012

The korban tamid was offered up every morning and every afternoon, including Shabbat. The korbanot tamid served as the bookends for all the other korbanot that were brought during the day. No other offering could be brought before the korban tamid of the morning or after the korban tamid of the afternoon.

Posted on: May 23rd, 2012

Question: When should women light yom tov candles?

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

"Welcome to the bar mitzvah celebration of our dear son, Eliezer," Mr. Siegel announced to his guests. "The bar mitzvah boy will now make a siyum Mishnayos, which will be followed by the main course."

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

Spared Possible Punishment ‘Those Who Are New To The Ketores’ (Tamid 32b-33a)

Posted on: May 16th, 2012

Question: May one recite Sefirat Ha’Omer with a berachah after sunset (shekiah)?

Posted on: May 10th, 2012

At about 4 a.m. on cold and damp autumn mornings in London, Dad would try to wake us in time for Selichot, the pre-Jewish New Year dawn prayers. As we heard Dad’s footsteps mounting the stairs, my brother and I would hide under our covers and mutter our displeasure at being disturbed.

Posted on: May 10th, 2012

Guarding the Temple Even Today! ‘Kohanim Were Stationed in Three Places’ (Tamid 25b)

Posted on: May 3rd, 2012

Question: At the conclusion of the Amidah, should the chazzan say “Yiyu leratzon imrei fi… – May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable before you, G-d, my Rock and Redeemer”?

Posted on: May 3rd, 2012

Mr. Gottlieb, though not wealthy, was known for his generosity. He scrupulously gave 10 percent of his earnings to charity, and often much more. Among his regular charities was Yeshivas Ohr Israel. At the recent Dinner, Mr. Gottlieb pledged $10,000 toward the Yeshiva's scholarship fund.

Posted on: May 3rd, 2012

Kishka ‘Their Consumers Are Not Human!’ (Me’ilah 20b)

Posted on: April 26th, 2012

A Transfusion, An Element Of Life ‘Blood From A Sanctified Animal Is Forbidden’ (Me’ilah 12)

Posted on: April 25th, 2012

Question: I have heard that some halachic authorities disapprove of placing a silver atarah on a talit. Is this true?

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Posted on: April 18th, 2012

In addition to karet, there is another type of premature death at the hand of God known as “mita bedei shamayim.”

Posted on: April 18th, 2012

Question: During Kriat HaTorah, many congregations recite a general prayer for ill people. What is the source of this custom? Also, in many congregations, instead of the gabbai announcing each name, all of the shul’s members are asked to silently say the name of the ill person to themselves while the gabbai remains quiet for several moments. Is this proper?

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