All Torah Minutes
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We have spoken about the importance of staying up all night on Shabu'oth. The holy Ben Ish Hai writes that one...
Monday, May 21, 2012/Iyyar 29, 5772
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Not only is one forbidden to cook and bake on one day of the holiday for the next, but no preparation for the...
Thursday, May 17, 2012/Iyyar 25, 5772
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It is forbidden to bake or cook on Yom Tob (a holy day) for the following day, even if the following day is Yom...
Wednesday, May 16, 2012/Iyyar 24, 5772
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It says in the Ethics of the Fathers that "Exile comes to the world on account of idolatry, adultery, bloodshed...
Tuesday, May 15, 2012/Iyyar 23, 5772
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Bones and peels that were peeled or became separated on Yom Tob (a holy day), fall under the category of Nolad (an...
Monday, May 14, 2012/Iyyar 22, 5772
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The Torah tells us that we must count seven full weeks (49 days) from the second day of Pesah, and that on the...
Sunday, May 13, 2012/Iyyar 21, 5772
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We mentioned previously that one should not eat in one's garden on Shabbath because of the fear that water...
Friday, May 11, 2012/Iyyar 19, 5772
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On Lagh La'Omer, multitudes visit the grave of Ribbi Shim'on Bar Yohai. Is one required to do Netilath Yadayim...
Wednesday, May 9, 2012/Iyyar 17, 5772
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Watering seeds so that plants will grow falls under the forbidden Melakha (Shabbath labor) of Zoreya' (sowing) as...
Friday, May 4, 2012/Iyyar 12, 5772
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that if one inadvertently omitted to say 'Arbith, one has to pray the Shahrith 'Amidah...
Wednesday, May 2, 2012/Iyyar 10, 5772
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Maran Yosef Qaro, 'a"h, states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that if through error or because of circumstances out of...
Tuesday, May 1, 2012/Iyyar 9, 5772
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Look at ... where you are going -- a place of dust, worms and maggots (Aboth 3:1). When a person...
Monday, April 30, 2012/Iyyar 8, 5772
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Maran Yosef Qaro, z"l, states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that if one is drunk (and therefore unable to pray the...
Sunday, April 29, 2012/Iyyar 7, 5772
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According to the Shulhan 'Arukh, one may walk on grass on Shabbath, whether it is wet or dry. The reasoning behind...
Friday, April 27, 2012/Iyyar 5, 5772
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(אשה) כי תזריע וילדה זכר "When (a woman) conceives and gives birth to a male child" (Wayyiqra...
Thursday, April 26, 2012/Iyyar 4, 5772
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It is not uncommon for people to kiss the hand of a Hakham, especially in Sephardi circles. The question is, if a...
Wednesday, April 25, 2012/Iyyar 3, 5772
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Maran, z"l, states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that if one is involved in monetary dealings so that he should not incur...
Sunday, April 22, 2012/Nisan 30, 5772
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When pledges are made in Synagogues and Midrashim on Shabbath, it is customary to have a system in place with...
Friday, April 20, 2012/Nisan 28, 5772
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The Mefarshim say that this Masekheth (tractate) is entitled "[Pirqei] Aboth" (Ethics of the Fathers), because the...
Tuesday, April 17, 2012/Nisan 25, 5772
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What should one do if, on Friday evening, one prayed the 'Arbith of Shabbath with the congregation, while it was...
Monday, April 16, 2012/Nisan 24, 5772
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If a person knows for certain that he forgot to count the 'Omer, both at night as well as the entire day, he can...
Sunday, April 15, 2012/Nisan 23, 5772
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When the Children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt, the Torah and Miswoth had not yet been given and the...
Thursday, April 12, 2012/Nisan 20, 5772
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Everyone is obligated to to look at himself as if he, himself, came out of Egypt (Pesahim 116b). One of the...
Friday, April 6, 2012/Nisan 14, 5772
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If a Jew is holding Hamess that belongs to another Jew, he must not sell it before the time when it becomes...
Tuesday, April 3, 2012/Nisan 11, 5772
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The search for leaven (Bediqath Hamess) is done right after nightfall on the night of the 14th of Nissan, which is...
Sunday, April 1, 2012/Nisan 9, 5772
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Unlike Shabbath, when if one forgets to make Habdalah at its conclusion, there is still the possibility of doing...
Friday, March 30, 2012/Nisan 7, 5772
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The Torah forbade Hamess (Hametz) on the 14th of Nissan (the morning of the eve of Pesah), from the end of the...
Wednesday, March 28, 2012/Nisan 5, 5772
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Sometimes, when a soul returns to this world, it returns in an entity other than a human being. When the time...
Sunday, March 25, 2012/Nisan 2, 5772
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When returning from Synagogue on the first night of Pesah, one should come home happy and radiant and should greet...
Wednesday, March 21, 2012/Adar 27, 5772
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Nowadays, in the majority of places, Jewish people of many varied backgrounds live together with their own...
Tuesday, March 20, 2012/Adar 26, 5772
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The Berakha (blessing) of HaMosi (Hamotzi) is recited before the blessing of "'Al Akhilath Massa (Matzah)". After...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012/Adar 20, 5772
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There is no obligation to eat Massah (Matzah) on Pesah, other than on the first night. This is based on the Pasuq...
Tuesday, March 13, 2012/Adar 19, 5772
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One may not speak while the Meghillah is being read. If one spoke between the Berakha (blessing) and the reading,...
Wednesday, March 7, 2012/Adar 13, 5772
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The Rama mentions in his gloss on the Shulhan 'Arukh that it is a good custom to eat foods containing Zer'onim...
Monday, March 5, 2012/Adar 11, 5772
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One must increase one's eating and drinking on Purim and fasting is not permitted. The only exception is a...
Sunday, March 4, 2012/Adar 10, 5772
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Since there is an opinion that the reading of the portions of Shabbath Zakhor and Shabbath Parah are a commandment...
Friday, March 2, 2012/Adar 8, 5772
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Moshe Rabbenu (Moses), 'a"h, was born on the 7th of Adar and passed away on the 7th of Adar after 120 years. As...
Wednesday, February 29, 2012/Adar 6, 5772
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Even though we say that young children should be brought to hear the Meghillah being read, very small children...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012/Adar 5, 5772
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It is a fine custom to bring small children to hear the reading of the Meghillah on Purim. This is in order to...
Monday, February 27, 2012/Adar 4, 5772
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If someone is holding a non-kosher Meghillah (this includes printed ones), he should not read along with the...
Sunday, February 26, 2012/Adar 3, 5772
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When one tastes a small amount of food that is being cooked for Shabbath (or any other time for that matter), in...
Friday, February 24, 2012/Adar 1, 5772
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The Rama mentions that there is an opinion that one should have a Se'uddah after a Pidyon HaBen, and this is, in...
Wednesday, February 22, 2012/Shebat 29, 5772
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There is a difference of opinion as to whether the concept we usually apply to intervals of time, that "a small...
Tuesday, February 21, 2012/Shebat 28, 5772
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If one inadvertently forgot an object that is Muqseh (Muktzah - that which may not be handled on Shabbath) on top...
Friday, February 17, 2012/Shebat 24, 5772
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One may not sit within four Ammoth (cubits) of someone who is praying the 'Amidah, not in front of him, behind...
Monday, February 13, 2012/Shebat 20, 5772
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The Ben Ish Hai mentions that it is a Miswah (Mitzvah) to lengthen the prayer on Saturday night, because of the...
Friday, February 10, 2012/Shebat 17, 5772
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The order in which one recites the blessings on various foods only applies if one wishes to eat all of them. If...
Tuesday, February 7, 2012/Shebat 14, 5772
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התיצבו וראו את ישועת ה' "Hithyassebu Ur-u Eth Yeshu'ath Hashem" (stand fast and see G-d's...
Thursday, February 2, 2012/Shebat 9, 5772
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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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It says in the Kaf Hahayyim of Hakham Hayyim Falaji (as opposed to the Kaf Hahayyim of Hakham Ya'aqob Sofer) that...
Monday, January 30, 2012/Shebat 6, 5772
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The Kabbalists tell us that the month of Shebat represents the aspect of 'Hod' (splendor/empathy), which is the...
Sunday, January 29, 2012/Shebat 5, 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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It is a Miswah (commandment) upon a man to do a Milah (circumcision) for his son. If he is not proficient at it he...
Monday, January 23, 2012/Tebeth 28, 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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If one got delayed and did not pray Minha and finds that it is getting too late, or finds that the congregation...
Wednesday, January 18, 2012/Tebeth 23, 5772
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The Torah commands (Debarim 24:5) that when a man marries a new wife, he must not go out to the army, but must be...
Tuesday, January 17, 2012/Tebeth 22, 5772
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רבים מכאובים לרשע והבוטח בה' חסד יסובבנו "Many troubles shall befall the...
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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The ring that the Hathan (bridegroom) gives the Kallah (bride) for the purpose of Qiddushin (marrying her), should...
Wednesday, January 11, 2012/Tebeth 16, 5772
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There is an opinion that weddings should not be performed on Fridays or on Sundays. The reason for this is because...
Monday, January 9, 2012/Tebeth 14, 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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During the Minha prayer of Shabbath a Qaddish is read after 'Uba LeSion' before the Sefer Torah is taken out....
Friday, January 6, 2012/Tebeth 11, 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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The Gemara tells us that the benefit of a fast day comes from the charity that is distributed. This is the basis...
Wednesday, January 4, 2012/Tebeth 9, 5772
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On a communal fast (not one of the four public fasts), the Hazzan may not say 'Anenu as a blessing by itself...
Tuesday, January 3, 2012/Tebeth 8, 5772
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On the four public fast days (apart from the 9th of Ab), the Torah portion of Wayhal Moshe (Shemoth 32:11-14 and...
Monday, January 2, 2012/Tebeth 7, 5772
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If a child is holding a stone on Shabbath, his father may pick him up and it is not considered as if the father is...
Friday, December 30, 2011/Tebeth 4, 5772
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"The Best Day of the Week"
Shabbath is the day of the week most people look forward to. It is a time...
Friday, December 30, 2011/Tebeth 4, 5772
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The additional meals eaten on Hanukkah are not considered to be Se'uddoth Miswah (festive meals), but rather meals...
Monday, December 26, 2011/Kislew 30, 5772
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Even though some oils are preferred over others, all oils are considered acceptable for lighting the Hanukkah...
Sunday, December 25, 2011/Kislew 29, 5772
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On Friday evening the Hanukkah candles must obviously be lit before sunset (and before one accepts Shabbath). On...
Friday, December 23, 2011/Kislew 27, 5772
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In view of the fact that in Ashkenazi homes all the sons light the Hanukkah, unmarried Ashkenazi Yeshibah students...
Monday, December 19, 2011/Kislew 23, 5772
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What should a married man, who is travelling on Hanukkah, do regarding the lighting? If the lights are being...
Sunday, December 18, 2011/Kislew 22, 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 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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For our sins, many people, including those who should know better, talk during the Qaddish. They should be told...
Tuesday, December 6, 2011/Kislew 10, 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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If a woman has to go to the Miqweh on Friday night for ritual immersion, when she should light the Shabbath...
Friday, December 2, 2011/Kislew 6, 5772
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Our Rabbis of blessed memory state in the Gemara of Shabbath, that the Shabbath candles are along the same lines...
Friday, November 25, 2011/Heshwan 28, 5772
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בא אחיך במרמה ויקח ברכתך "Your brother came with cunning and took your blessing" (Bereshith...
Thursday, November 24, 2011/Heshwan 27, 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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When wearing shoes, one must put the right shoe on first without tying the laces. One then puts on the left shoe...
Wednesday, November 9, 2011/Heshwan 12, 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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The Shulhan 'Arukh rules that one may not place a vessel containing hot water on one's stomach on Shabbath, or...
Friday, November 4, 2011/Heshwan 7, 5772
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"Please say that you are my sister, so that on your account it will be good for me..." (Bereshith 12,13). How...
Thursday, November 3, 2011/Heshwan 6, 5772
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