The Vihi Noam Prayer
Vihi noam and v’atah kadosh should be recited slowly and prolonged somewhat. This is because punishment in Gehennom is suspended from the beginning of Shabbat until the end of Ma’ariv after Shabbat.
Is It Proper To Embark On A Long Trip (whether by car or otherwise)...
A person who embarks on a two-hour journey 90 minutes before Shabbat starts is an obvious sinner. He cannot claim that pikuach nefesh (preservation of life) justifies his subsequent Shabbat violations.
Daf Yomi
Ancient Cities, Ancient Walls
‘A Dwelling House Sold In A Walled City’
(Megillah 3b-4a)
Best Chanukah Gifts EVER!
We fill their space with toys and gadgets instead of moments together. Do we ever get down on the floor to enjoy the games we bought? Parenting is about more presence and less presents.
Chanukah Laws And Customs
One may not make any use of the Chanukah lights whatsoever. They are only to be looked upon in order to arouse praise and thanksgiving to G-d for the miracles that He performed for us.
A Slogan For Our Times: Just Do It (Or Not)
The moral of the story is that we should be like Nike and just do it, except for those times when we shouldn’t just do it.
Is It Proper To Give Children Expensive Presents For Chanukah?
The greatest gift we can give our children is remembering that however much we are watching them to see what they are doing with their lives, they are watching us to see what we are doing with ours.
Passing Through
The fact that I allowed you passage in the past, does not require me to continue allowing you, countered Mr. Schwartz.
Daf Yomi
A Siyum Validates It
‘… Thereupon The Decrees Were Annulled…’
(Ta’anis 18a)
Yiddish Lingo In The (Yeshiva) Hood
For the app to be more effective, they should use words like geshmak, gefilte fish, heimishe, and gezunt.
A Guide To Modern Shemittah Observance – And How We Can Participate
The majority of the agricultural sector of the State of Israel as it exists in the present reality – with most kibbutzim and moshavim being non-religious – is not willing to fully abide by the Shemittah laws.
Chanukah: Public Menorah Lightings
Many halachic authorities opposed the custom of lighting the menorah in the synagogue. The Chatam Sofer would decline the "honor" of lighting the menorah in the synagogue for this reason.
Should You Eat Garlic On Friday Night?
The Aruch HaShulchan’s suggestion is extremely difficult, since roasting garlic does not require any particular expertise. Furthermore, there is no indication whatsoever in the words of Chazal that raw garlic is fundamentally unacceptable for takkanat Ezra.
Is It Proper To Shun Traditional Fried Foods On Chanukah Because Of Health Concerns?
Wolfing down mass quantities is inadvisable and is gluttony masquerading as some sort of religious fulfillment.
Stolen Envelope
After davening, Mr. Shapiro took down the hand luggage and went through it carefully. The envelope with the money was missing!
Daf Yomi
A Unique Challenge
“Tithe, You Shall Tithe…”
(Ta’anis 9a)
What’s On Your Shoulder?
Like the city of Shechem, the shechem (shoulder) in the body can be embracing or distancing; it all depends on one’s attitude and approach.
Vihi Noam: Blessings That Flow After Shabbat
Vihi noam and v’atah kadosh should be recited slowly and prolonged somewhat. This is because punishment in Gehenom is suspended from the beginning of Shabbat until the end of Ma’ariv after Shabbat.
Family Matters
Like the bayit, she’er also refers specifically to one’s spouse. This may be because of the sacred bond of flesh that exists between man and wife.
Is It Proper To Have Drinks In A Bar?
Bars, by definition, are places where people gather to drink alcoholic beverages … a classic place for idle chatter, gossip, and excessive frivolity.
Public Auction
The whole idea of an auction is to see what price I can get for the item. You chose, of your own volition, to pay $10 and outbid the previous bidder!
Daf Yomi
Pidyon Haben In The Afternoon?
‘…The First Reads Aloud The Hallel’
(Rosh Hashana 32b)
The Unbeaten Path
If we try to force our children (and adults) to follow a narrow and rigid one-size-fits-all derech, then we are guilty of creating a metaphorical Sodom bed.
Shemoneh Esrei: No Mention Of The Matriarchs
It is noted that according to gematria the phrase "Elokei Avraham, Elokei Yitzchak, V'elokei Yaakov," has the same numerical value as the names of the Matriarchs.
Is It Proper To Play Board Games On Shabbos?
It is worth reiterating that playing these games should be a temporary pause from the more spiritual pursuits of the day – and not the focus of Shabbat itself. That focus is properly divine service and the perfection of our souls.
Daf Yomi
The Shofar On Shabbos
“Rosh Hashana That Occurred on Shabbos”
(Rosh Hashana 29b)
Cassette Collection
I would like the cassettes back! said Yuval. There are some collector's items in the collection, and I still use a cassette player.
Get Up And Come
…when we invariably resort to our old habits, we think we have failed…Rosh Chodesh is a monthly renewal to “get up and come” back on track.
The Greatest Gift
When someone close to us is suffering we are often at a loss. What should I say? What should I do? We do not want to be the cause of any more pain.
Chasidic Women And Shaved Heads
Another explanation for the custom is based on a concern that a woman's hair might become unintentionally exposed from under her wig or other hair covering.