All Torah Minutes
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According to Maran Yosef Qaro, 'a"h, one may not pass within four 'Ammoth (cubits) of one who is praying the...
Wednesday, February 1, 2012/Shebat 8, 5772
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When one buys a new set of dishes that makes one happy, strictly speaking one should recite Sheheheyanu on them...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012/Shebat 7, 5772
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If we had to select one place, where love, peace and harmony are most commonly found and practised, we would...
Friday, January 27, 2012/Shebat 3, 5772
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פנה אלי וחנני כי יחיד ועני אני "Turn towards me and be gracious to me because I am alone...
Sunday, January 22, 2012/Tebeth 27, 5772
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The Shulhan Arukh states that the blessing of 'Me'ein Sheba'' in the Friday night prayer, is not recited in the...
Friday, January 20, 2012/Tebeth 25, 5772
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How do we react to people who we consider to be unattractive? What do we think when we see a person whose outer...
Thursday, January 19, 2012/Tebeth 24, 5772
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רבים מכאובים לרשע והבוטח ביהוה חסד יסובבנו "Many troubles shall befall...
Sunday, January 15, 2012/Tebeth 20, 5772
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After the prayer on Shabbath morning (or Yom Tob), may the men fold their Sissith (Tallith Gadol) or not?...
Friday, January 13, 2012/Tebeth 18, 5772
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וכאשר יענו אתו כן ירבה וכן יפרץ "The more they torment them, the more they will...
Thursday, January 12, 2012/Tebeth 17, 5772
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It says in Tehillim Ya'ankha: יתן לך כלבבך וכל עצתך ימלא "May He grant you your heart's...
Sunday, January 8, 2012/Tebeth 13, 5772
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"Zebulun will dwell on the shores of the seas" (Bereshith 49:13). Why does it say 'seas' (Yamim) in the plural?...
Thursday, January 5, 2012/Tebeth 10, 5772
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People often say that the most difficult prayer during the week is Minha. It has to be prayed at specific times...
Sunday, January 1, 2012/Tebeth 6, 5772
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According to the Sephardi custom, on Shabbath morning, before taking out the Sefer Torah, the verses of 'Attah...
Friday, December 16, 2011/Kislew 20, 5772
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וישראל אהב את יוסף מכל בניו כי בן זקנים הוא לו "Israel loved Joseph more than...
Thursday, December 15, 2011/Kislew 19, 5772
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When one attaches a Mezuzah onto multiple doors, only one Berakha (blessing) is recited and it covers all the...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011/Kislew 18, 5772
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If one were to attach a Mezuzah to a doorway, and then attach the doorway with the Mezuzah to a building, it is...
Tuesday, December 13, 2011/Kislew 17, 5772
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If there is a Mezuzah affixed on a door post on the inside of a bedroom where a husband and wife sleep, the...
Monday, December 12, 2011/Kislew 16, 5772
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If a woman is running late because of matters she has to attend to on Friday afternoon, and gets home a little...
Friday, December 9, 2011/Kislew 13, 5772
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Both the Qaddish and the repetition of the 'Amidah/Qedusha require a quorum of ten men in order to begin reciting...
Wednesday, December 7, 2011/Kislew 11, 5772
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When answering the Qaddish, there are different customs. Some Ashkenazim answer from Yehe Shemeh Rabbah till...
Monday, December 5, 2011/Kislew 9, 5772
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Tashlumin (praying a make up 'Amidah for one that was missed) can only be done during the next prayer. If one did...
Tuesday, November 29, 2011/Kislew 3, 5772
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Continuing with the question of touching the Tefillin Shel Rosh after Yoser, we mentioned previously that...
Friday, November 25, 2011/Heshwan 28, 5772
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The Qedusha during the repetition of the 'Amidah must be said standing, however, the Qedusha of Yoser Ohr, before...
Wednesday, November 23, 2011/Heshwan 26, 5772
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When we say that when starting the portion of Yoser Ohr in the morning Shahrith prayer, one should touch the...
Tuesday, November 22, 2011/Heshwan 25, 5772
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When starting the portion of Yoser Ohr in the morning Shahrith prayer, one should touch the Tefillin on the arm....
Monday, November 21, 2011/Heshwan 24, 5772
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The Shulhan 'Arukh mentions that one must wash one's face, hands and feet in hot (warm) water on Friday in...
Friday, November 18, 2011/Heshwan 21, 5772
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It is a positive commandment from the Torah (Miswah DeOraitha) to write the portions of Shema' Yisrael and Wehaya...
Wednesday, November 16, 2011/Heshwan 19, 5772
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One should be particular to cut one's fingernails and toenails every Friday ('Ereb Shabbath). If the nails do not...
Friday, November 11, 2011/Heshwan 14, 5772
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Why should I care about others' feelings? What do I have to do with them? Why should I trouble myself for the...
Friday, November 11, 2011/Heshwan 14, 5772
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Washing and Dressing - the Right Order
When one washes one's hands, the right hand should be washed...
Tuesday, November 8, 2011/Heshwan 11, 5772
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After a wedding there are Sheba' Berakhoth after each meal for a period of seven days (in most cases). When the...
Monday, November 7, 2011/Heshwan 10, 5772
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There are those who say that if a woman's husband is in town (Ba'alah Ba'ir), even though he is not physically...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011/Tashri 27, 5772
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We commonly see people, after they have finished their silent 'Amidah, while waiting for the Hazzan to finish his...
Monday, October 24, 2011/Tashri 26, 5772
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When the Kohanim (priests) go up to the Dukhan (platform) in order to bless the people with the Birkath Kohanim...
Sunday, October 16, 2011/Tashri 18, 5772
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As is well known, there is a difference of opinion between Sephardim and Ashkenazim concerning whether women...
Wednesday, October 12, 2011/Tashri 14, 5772
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When we ask in the 'Amidah, "Wehahazirenu Bithshuba Shelemah Lefanekha" (return us to complete repentance before...
Tuesday, September 27, 2011/Elul 28, 5771
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There is a custom to read the book of Tehillim over the two days of Rosh Hashanah. Hakham Yosef Hayim, 'a"h,...
Monday, September 26, 2011/Elul 27, 5771
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יצו ה' אתך את הברכה באסמיך ובכל משלח ידך "G-d will command blessing for you in all...
Thursday, September 15, 2011/Elul 16, 5771
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The Torah states, "And on the sixth day they shall prepare what they will bring" (Shemoth 16:5). Our Rabbis of...
Friday, September 9, 2011/Elul 10, 5771
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Sephardim start saying Selihoth from the 2nd of Elul and continue till Yom Kippur. Ashkenazim start on the Mosaei...
Wednesday, August 31, 2011/Elul 1, 5771
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זָכֹ֣ר תִּזְכֹּ֗ר אֵ֤ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה֙ י' א' לְפַרְעֹ֖ה...
Thursday, August 18, 2011/Ab 18, 5771
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Umbrellas and parasols are very much part of everyday life to protect us from the rain as well as the sun. Their...
Friday, July 15, 2011/Tammuz 13, 5771
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One of the most well known phrases in Parashath Balaq is "How goodly are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places...
Friday, July 8, 2011/Tammuz 6, 5771
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One may not eat a large meal or banquet during the day on Friday, of the type that one does not ordinarily eat on...
Friday, July 8, 2011/Tammuz 6, 5771
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The Qaddish that is said just before 'Aleinu Leshabbeyah (or right after 'Aleinu in the Askhenazi Nusah) is...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011/Tammuz 4, 5771
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One is forbidden from stealing even the smallest amount from anyone, Jew or non Jew. If, however, the amount of...
Tuesday, July 5, 2011/Tammuz 3, 5771
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ויקח קרח "And Qorah took" (Bamidbar 16:1). What did Qorah take? In the Gemara of Sanhedrin (109b) it states...
Thursday, June 23, 2011/Siwan 21, 5771
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Looking further at the laws of Ribbith (interest/usury), let us consider the following scenario. A Jewish...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011/Siwan 20, 5771
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The laws of Ribbith (interest/usury) are numerous and complicated. These Halakhoth are being provided to make us...
Tuesday, June 21, 2011/Siwan 19, 5771
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Let us look at a case of a Jewish individual who sells an item to another Jew but does not require immediate...
Monday, June 20, 2011/Siwan 18, 5771
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קדשים יהיו לאלקיהם . . . והיו קדש "They shall be holy to their G-d . . . and...
Thursday, May 5, 2011/Iyyar 1, 5771
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During the seven days following a wedding it has become customary, whenever possible, to hold the Sheba' Berakhoth...
Tuesday, March 22, 2011/Adar B 16, 5771
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Everyone is obligated to send Mishlowah Manoth (gifts of at least two food portions) to at least one friend on the...
Tuesday, March 15, 2011/Adar B 9, 5771
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Everybody is obligated to hear the reading of the Meghillah. Women are obligated because they were also part of...
Monday, March 14, 2011/Adar B 8, 5771
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G-d commands us to be holy. This means that the physical dimension of who we are should be purified to such an...
Thursday, March 10, 2011/Adar B 4, 5771
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Laziness and haste are two complete opposites. Is it possible that there is a common factor or connection between...
Thursday, March 10, 2011/Adar B 4, 5771
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One should not eat garlic or onions if they remained overnight fully peeled. If they were only partially peeled,...
Tuesday, March 1, 2011/Adar A 25, 5771
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There is an opinion that Qiddush may only be made where the Shabbath lights were kindled, whereas another opinion...
Friday, February 25, 2011/Adar A 21, 5771
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ויבאו כל איש אשר נשאו לבו וכל אשר נדבה רוחו אתו "Every man whose heart raised...
Thursday, February 24, 2011/Adar A 20, 5771
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Unlike Friday night when, if there is no wine available, one makes Qiddush on the bread, if one does not have wine...
Friday, February 18, 2011/Adar A 14, 5771
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We are told in Parashath Ki Thissa, that Shabbath is a sign between G-d and the Jewish people. Hakham Yoseph...
Friday, February 18, 2011/Adar A 14, 5771
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If one has no wine at all for Qiddush on Friday night, the Qiddush is made on the bread as follows:
Friday, February 11, 2011/Adar A 7, 5771
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וחשב אפדתו אשר עליו כמעשהו ממנו יהיה "The finely made belt of the Ephod (apron)...
Thursday, February 10, 2011/Adar A 6, 5771
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When we say that a son is obligated to honor his parents by feeding them and clothing them (see
Honoring one's parents includes feeding them with food and drink, clothing them and taking them in and out. It...
Monday, February 7, 2011/Adar A 3, 5771
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The Shulhan (table) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) had twelve loaves of bread which were baked every Friday and...
Thursday, February 3, 2011/Shebat 29, 5771
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One may not place food or any drink under a bed, because an evil spirit rests on them. This applies even if they...
Thursday, January 27, 2011/Shebat 22, 5771
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The Torah cautioned that when you build a new house you must make a parapet on the roof so that you shall...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011/Shebat 20, 5771
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Some have the custom of roasting eggs on the lid of a pot containing meat, for Shabbath. The question is whether...
Friday, January 21, 2011/Shebat 16, 5771
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There are different customs regarding fasting on the day of the wedding. In general, the Ashkenazi custom is that...
Monday, January 17, 2011/Shebat 12, 5771
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Neither a vow nor an oath may be annulled before the time that the vow or oath actually comes into effect....
Wednesday, January 12, 2011/Shebat 7, 5771
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It is good to be particular not to leave any empty utensils on the table (such as cups, plates, spoons, etc.) when...
Monday, January 10, 2011/Shebat 5, 5771
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Maran Yoseph Caro (Qaro), 'a"h, writes in the Shulhan 'Aruch that the tablecloth and the bread must not be removed...
Friday, January 7, 2011/Shebat 2, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Aruch states that one who was preoccupied in monetary matters, in order that he would not incur a...
Sunday, January 2, 2011/Tebeth 26, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Aruch mentions that when a congregation prays the silent 'Amidah, even if every one of the...
Monday, December 27, 2010/Tebeth 20, 5771
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In the winter months one must be concerned at all times to clear the snow and ice from where people walk on one's...
Friday, December 17, 2010/Tebeth 10, 5771
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The Mishnah Berurah quotes an opinion that one who fasted for the first time on a weekday, on the occasion of the...
Friday, December 10, 2010/Tebeth 3, 5771
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Why is Hanukkah eight days if the miracle of the oil was for only seven days? One explanation is as follows:
Tuesday, December 7, 2010/Kislew 30, 5771
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וראיתי אני שיש יתרון לחכמה מן הסכלות כיתרון האור מן החשך, "I saw...
Monday, November 29, 2010/Kislew 22, 5771
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The Hanukkah lights need to burn at least half an hour into the night. If one wishes to extinguish the flames...
Tuesday, November 23, 2010/Kislew 16, 5771
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The custom is to say the Mizmor (Psalm) for that particular day of the week every morning during the Shahrith...
Sunday, November 21, 2010/Kislew 14, 5771
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Have you ever seen a shepherd with his flock of sheep? The shepherd walks behind the sheep, watching over ever...
Friday, November 12, 2010/Kislew 5, 5771
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On Rosh Hodesh one must remove one's Tefillin before praying Musaf. One who has the custom of studying Torah after...
Monday, November 8, 2010/Kislew 1, 5771
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מכרה כיום את בכרתך לי "Sell your birthright to me today [as this day]" (Bereshith 25:31). Rashi...
Thursday, November 4, 2010/Heshwan 27, 5771
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It says in the Hesed LaAlaphim, that when reciting 'Alenu Leshabbeyah, one should pause between the phrase:...
Sunday, October 31, 2010/Heshwan 23, 5771
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As we mentioned, we are very particular that the Shema' must contain 248 (Ramah - in Hebrew) words when we read...
Wednesday, October 27, 2010/Heshwan 19, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Arukh mentions that the Shema' contains 245 words. In order to make it 248 words to represent the 248...
Tuesday, October 26, 2010/Heshwan 18, 5771
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It says in the Mishnah Berurah that the blessing of Refa-einu (heal us), in the 'Amidah, is said after the...
Monday, October 25, 2010/Heshwan 17, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that one should run when going to the Synagogue or when going to perform any commandment...
Monday, October 18, 2010/Heshwan 10, 5771
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One of the Melakhoth (labors) which was prohibited by the Torah on Shabbath is Kotheb (writing). In order for one...
Friday, October 15, 2010/Heshwan 7, 5771
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