Daf Yomi
Avoiding A Catastrophe
‘A Ger And A Gentile Inherited…’
(Avoda Zara 64a)
Love-Bombing G-d
As I often remark, the spiritual, physical, and emotional patterns of life are the same, since they are all designed by the same Creator. The image of the smaller flame being drawn to the larger flame reflects the same principle of spiritual excess.
Daf Yomi
The Day He Heard
‘One May Seek Revocation Of A Confimation’
(Nedarim 69a)
‘Forget About It!’
Yanky was going through difficult times. "My company merged over a year ago and I got laid off," he poured his heart out to Moish, a neighbor. "I've been trying everywhere to get a job, but nothing's available."
Is It Proper…? – Is It Important to Wear a Black Hat From a...
Is It Proper...? - Is It Important to Wear a Black Hat From a Hashkafic Perspective?
Mourning, Excessive Mourning, And An End To Mourning
The Talmud notes that when the Beit HaMikdash was destroyed for the second time, there was an increase in the number of ascetics within the Jewish community, who decided to limit themselves by not eating meat or drinking wine. Rabbi Yehoshua asked them why they restricted themselves in this way.
Out Of Luck
"Hillel's name was omitted from the raffle," Mr. Simon said to Rabbi Dayan. "The winner is willing to settle with him, but another participant wants to invalidate the lottery entirely. Must it be redone?"
Daf Yomi
What Constitutes Schach?
‘Schach Boards’
(Sukkah 14a)
A Verse For Your Name (Part II)
One who has more than one name should recite a verse that corresponds to both names. Others, however, are not particular to do so and suffice with a verse corresponding to one name.
The Meanings Of Shema
It would be reasonable to assume that a language that contains the verb “to command” must also contain the verb “to obey.” The one implies the other, just as the concept of a question implies the possibility of an answer. We would, however, be wrong. There are 613 commandments in the Torah, but there is no word in biblical Hebrew that means “to obey.” When Hebrew was revived as a language of everyday speech in the nineteenth century, a word, letsayet, had to be borrowed from Aramaic. Until then there was no Hebrew word for “to obey.”
Dying To Give (Gittin 13a)
A healthy person cannot effectively say, “When I die, you will get my property.”
Daf Yomi
He Might Extinguish It
‘A Torch Is The Best Way
Of Performing The Mitzvah’
(Pesachim 103b)
Daf Yomi
A Hot Air Blower
‘Whoever Eats Bread Without Wiping His Hands…’
(Sotah 4b)
Daf Yomi
Without Warning
‘But You Were With Us…’
(Makkos 2a)
Away From Home: Chanukah Candle-Lighting for Singles, Students, Travelers, Passengers, Soldiers, and the Homeless
The poskim disagree about whether the obligation to light Chanuka candles is limited to the home.
Can You Accept Money For Babysitting On Shabbos?
But I've babysat on Shabbos before, said Rivki. After Shabbos, the family gave me money and you didn't stop me from accepting it.
Daf Yomi
The Flighty Customer
‘Scribes Who Write Torah Scrolls And Mezuzos …Are Exempt From Kerias Shema And Prayer…’
(Sukkah 26a)
Marrying His Wife’s Sister
What if, at the moment of the late brother’s death, the surviving brother cannot effect yibum because the widow is a niddah?
Daf Yomi
Two Talleisim
‘The Residue Of The Blood He Spills…’
(Zevachim 51a)
Branch Bang
Shimon started adjusting the branches on the roof. In doing so, a branch fell off the other side of the car and hit the side-view mirror, cracking it.
Sealed Envelope
Mr. Meyers scurried around the wedding hall, making sure everything was properly in place; his son was getting married. "Could you please watch this envelope?" he asked his close friend, Mr. Koenig.
Do What’s Right, Even If You’re Right
Sometimes our children themselves don't even realize how much they need their parents.
The Customs Of Tu B’Shvat
One should take the opportunity afforded by Tu B'Shvat to reflect and thank G-d for the fruits that He has created for our enjoyment.
A Mother’s Promise To Her Husband
It is time to say goodbye to Shai. Maayan wraps her arms around her family, his family, all ages and generations, join together as one. She stands strong, you can see it in her eyes.
Borrowing In Dollars, Repaying In Shekels
He deeply appreciated it but said to his wife that borrowing dollars and returning shekels might be a violation of the laws of ribbis.
The Friday Night Simchat Bat
Question: Upon the birth of a son, common custom is to hold a Shalom Zachor on Friday evening for family and friends. But what about the birth of a girl? Some Modern Orthodox families hold a Simchat Bat on Friday night, but there doesn’t seem to be a source for this in Jewish literature. Are these Jews acting properly?
Shopping Cart
Although the cart was stolen, when the renter is present and unable to save the item, she is not liable – certainly if she tried unsuccessfully to do so (C.M. 303:2,5).
Who Stole?
The two were the same height and dressed similarly, so Shlomie could not discern who had taken the money.
Medicine On Shabbat
Question: May one ingest medicine on Shabbat?
The Grass Is Greener: Litigating in Non-Jewish Courts
What happens if a Diaspora Jew refuses to appear before a Jewish court of law or refuses to honor its judgment?