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

A microwave oven that was used throughout the year should ideally not be used for Pesah (Passover). If it is...
Sunday, March 18, 2012/Adar 24, 5772

The Rambam writes that it is a Miswah (Mitzvah) to be happy and to gladden his wife and children on the holidays....
Monday, March 12, 2012/Adar 18, 5772

One should inquire about (study) the Halakhoth (laws) of Pesah from 30 days before Pesah. Therefore, one should...
Sunday, March 11, 2012/Adar 17, 5772

דבר אל בני ישראל ויקחו לי תרומה "Speak to the Children of Israel and let them take for Me...
Thursday, February 23, 2012/Shebat 30, 5772

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

From time to time collections are made for people who are (Heaven forbid) very ill. If someone pledges to give a...
Wednesday, February 15, 2012/Shebat 22, 5772

We mentioned the order of fruits ( Monday, February 6, 2012/Shebat 13, 5772

Even though one is required to remain firmly rooted in one's place when praying the 'Amidah and cannot wander...
Sunday, October 23, 2011/Tashri 25, 5772

As is well known, there is a difference of opinion between Sephardim and Ashkenazim concerning whether women...
Wednesday, October 12, 2011/Tashri 14, 5772

When Yom Kippur falls on Shabbath, one must mention Shabbath in the 'Amidah prayer. If one did not mention...
Monday, October 3, 2011/Tashri 5, 5772

After Minha of Rosh Hashanah, we go to a body of water and perform Tashlikh, which is the symbolic casting of our...
Sunday, September 25, 2011/Elul 26, 5771

When the Toqea' (the one who blows the Shofar) recites the blessings, he should blow without speaking between the...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011/Elul 21, 5771

The Day before Rosh Hashana starts ('Ereb Rosh Hashanah) is a Ta'anith Yahid (private fast). One who accepted the...
Sunday, September 18, 2011/Elul 19, 5771

We mentioned previously that the custom in many Ashkenazi homes is to have boys who will be Bar Miswah (thirteen)...
Sunday, August 7, 2011/Ab 7, 5771

We are not permitted to dance during this time of year. Connected with this, musical instruments are forbidden (it...
Tuesday, August 2, 2011/Ab 2, 5771

אלה מסעי בני ישראל אשר יצאו מארץ מצרים לצבאתם ביד משה ואהרן:...
Thursday, July 28, 2011/Tammuz 26, 5771

Since there are complications with the recitation of Sheheheyanu during the 22 days (See When can one say Sheheheyanu during the 22 days (three weeks)? (Rabbi Ya'aqob Menashe)

During the period of distress (the 22 days from the 17th of Tammuz till the 9th of Ab) one should avoid saying the...
Monday, July 18, 2011/Tammuz 16, 5771

ולא ראה עמל בישראל "He saw no perverseness in Israel" (Bamidbar 23:21). Onkelos translates this as...
Thursday, July 7, 2011/Tammuz 5, 5771

Since the prevalent custom on Shabu'oth is to eat both dairy and meat meals on the holy day, it is common to bake...
Monday, June 6, 2011/Siwan 4, 5771

There are different reasons given as to why men are obligated to remain awake all night on Shabu'oth studying the...
Sunday, June 5, 2011/Siwan 3, 5771

We mentioned on a previous occasion that there is a difference of opinion whether a woman should say the Berakha...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011/Iyyar 27, 5771

The Rama writes, in his gloss on the Shulhan 'Arukh, that Tahanun may not be recited from Rosh Hodesh (the start...
Sunday, May 29, 2011/Iyyar 25, 5771

Bread and other Hames (leaven products) are probably the most commonly found food items in most households. Many...
Monday, March 21, 2011/Adar B 15, 5771

All fruits grown in the Land of Israel require Terumah and Ma'aser Rishon (first tithes) to be separated from...
Wednesday, January 19, 2011/Shebat 14, 5771

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

The prohibition of eating meat during the nine days (from Rosh Hodesh for Ashkenazim and from after Rosh Hodesh...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010/Ab 2, 5770

During the nine days between Rosh Hodesh Ab and the ninth of Ab (Tish'ah BeAb), we should not plant or...
Monday, July 12, 2010/Ab 1, 5770