Check It Out

Posted on: January 17th, 2013

Outside the beis medrash of Yeshiva Gedolei Yisrael, Mr. Gross sold framed pictures of many gedolim. Dani loved to stand and admire the pictures as he walked in and out of the beis medrash. Looking at him were the Sages of the previous generation: Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt"l, Rav S.Z. Auerbach, zt"l, Rav Y.S. Elyashiv, zt"l, and many others.

Stand Or Sit?

Posted on: January 17th, 2013

Question: Should one stand or sit during chazarat hashatz?

When Did Makkas Bechoros Occur?

Posted on: January 16th, 2013

There is a contradiction in the pesukim as to when makkas bechoros occurred. The pasuk in this week’s parshah says, “vayehi bachatzos halailah, v’Hashem hikah kol bechor b’eretz Mitzrayim… – and at chatzos of the night, Hashem hit every firstborn in the land of Mitzrayim…” (Shemos 12:29). This pasuk states that makkas bechoros occurred by night. The implication from the pasuk in Bamidbar 8:17 is that makkas bechoros occurred by day, for the pasuk says: “b’yom hakosi kol bechor… -- on the day that I hit all of the firstborn…”

Lost In The Snow

Posted on: January 16th, 2013

As night fell and Shabbat drew to a close, a minyan gathered in my sister’s home in Manchester, England.

Parshas Bo

Posted on: January 16th, 2013

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What Really Constitutes ‘Compassion’? (Pt. II)

Posted on: January 16th, 2013

How do we teach our children, and more importantly ourselves, the art of kindness and compassion? How do we become better people? Is there a university that teaches us kindness, sensitivity or consideration for one another?

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Parshat Bo: Creation of Self

Posted on: January 15th, 2013

Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Rebbetzin Shira Smiles.

Pidyon Shevuyim

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

The following letter was sent in response to Pidyon Shevuyim: Redeeming The Agunah, a column by Cheryl Kupfer (12-21 On Our Own):

Why Are We Losing Our Children? (Part I)

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

We all yearn to feel that we are part of something special. We all seek respect and acceptance for simply being who we are.

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My Loss Or Yours

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

Dan and Shai were standing in the train station. They had just finished a shopping spree and each carried a bag, which they put down next to them. "I got a gift for my parent's anniversary," said Shai. "It cost quite a lot, but it's a very special occasion."

Daf Yomi

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

A Murky Dispute ‘Water Does Not Affect Its Status’ (Shabbos 100a)

Parshas Va’era

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

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Do You Have To Hear Yourself Daven?

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

After each of the makkos, Moshe Rabbeinu had to daven to Hashem to stop the makkah. After the makkah of frogs, the pasuk says “…vayitzak Moshe el Hashem al devar hatzefardi’im asher sam l’pharoh – and Moshe cried out to Hashem regarding the frogs that he inflicted on Pharaoh” (Shemos 8:8). This is the only makkah in which we find that the Torah uses the word “vayitzak [cried out]” in reference to how Moshe davened to Hashem. By the other makkos, the Torah uses the word “vayetar.” The Sifsei Chachamim asks the question that he says was bothering many people. He asks why the Torah changes its wording by the makkah of the frogs to the word “vayitzak.”

Q & A: The Sandak (Part X)

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

Question: I was at a brit where the father and grandfather of the boy argued over who should be sandak. The grandfather had served as sandak once before, but he persisted and, as they say, “might makes right.” I am curious as to your view on this matter. M. Renkin (Via E-Mail)

Hats At Meals

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

Question: Must one wear a hat during Shabbat meals?

Being Like Hashem

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

After months of rebellion, Pharaoh finally admitted he was wrong. The Dos Zakainim explains that the plague of barad moved Pharaoh more than any other. And it was because of one factor.

Bathing, Washing And Swimming On Shabbat

Posted on: January 10th, 2013

One may not bathe in, wash or shower with water heated on Shabbat. Whether one may perform these activities with water heated before Shabbat is debated by Rav, who maintains that one may wash one’s entire body, limb by limb, in such water, and Shmuel, who maintains one may only wash one’s face, hands and feet in such water.

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Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Posted on: January 9th, 2013

We were literally in “seventh” heaven. The Sabbatical year in Eretz Yisrael was almost too good to be true. My husband was enjoying a rare break from his hectic schedule of teaching and administrating and was thrilled to be able to instead sit on the other side of the desk, quenching his perpetual thirst for knowledge. The entire family felt blessed to have so much heretofore unheard of quality time with Abba, while living in the Promised Land and participating in frequent exciting family activities and touring opportunities with the program. We unanimously agreed that our proverbial cup had indeed runneth over.

Science, Nature And Revelation

Posted on: January 9th, 2013

Throughout all Egypt the dust turned into lice. But when the magicians tried to produce lice by their secret arts, they could not. The lice attacked men and animals alike. The magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of G-d.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen.

What Really Constitutes ‘Compassion’?

Posted on: January 9th, 2013

I’ve received numerous e-mails in response to my recent columns on the Sandy Hook massacre, gun control, and the violence and immorality in our society. Here is one of those e-mails, followed by my response.