All Torah Minutes
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The portion of the blessings in Parashath Behuqqothai, begins with the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet (Aleph...
Friday, May 18, 2012/Iyyar 26, 5772
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Rabbenu Behayyei asks why it was necessary for the Torah to reveal all the details of the man who blasphemed...
Thursday, May 10, 2012/Iyyar 18, 5772
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ואהבת לרעך כמוך אני י' "And you shall love your neighbor as yourself, I am the L-rd" (Wayiqra...
Thursday, May 3, 2012/Iyyar 11, 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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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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(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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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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When the seventh day of Pesah (Passover) falls on Friday, for those who live outside the Land of Israel, Shabbath...
Wednesday, April 11, 2012/Nisan 19, 5772
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On Friday night, at the Shabbath meal, we are obligated from the Torah to eat bread (or Massah when it falls on...
Tuesday, April 10, 2012/Nisan 18, 5772
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From the first day of Pesah we stop saying the request for rain, Mashib Haruwah Umorid HaGeshem (Gashem for...
Monday, April 9, 2012/Nisan 17, 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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Even though, during the recitation of the Haggadah, the Massoth (Matzot) are uncovered, when the portion of "Hee...
Thursday, April 5, 2012/Nisan 13, 5772
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At different times during the Seder, the Massoth (Matzot) are covered and uncovered. During the actual recitation...
Wednesday, April 4, 2012/Nisan 12, 5772
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The stringencies associated with Hamess (leaven) on Pesah are quite unusual and strict. Hakham Sasson Mordekhai...
Wednesday, April 4, 2012/Nisan 12, 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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Someone who wears braces should clean them properly and should not eat any Hamess for 24 hours before the time...
Monday, April 2, 2012/Nisan 10, 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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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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Pots that one will not be using over Pesah do not require Hagh'alah (purging). Nevertheless, they need to be...
Tuesday, March 27, 2012/Nisan 4, 5772
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One may rent premises to a non-Jew to live in over Pesah, even though he knows that the non-Jew will bring Hamess...
Monday, March 26, 2012/Nisan 3, 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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A hot water urn which is used on Shabbath and other days year round, often has Hamess (Hametz) placed directly on...
Monday, March 19, 2012/Adar 25, 5772
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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
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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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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
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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
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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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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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Someone who has the opportunity to do a Pidyon HaBen (redemption of the first born male child)should consider it a...
Monday, February 20, 2012/Shebat 27, 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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How would you react after being exposed to an overwhelmingly touching spiritual experience? How would you express...
Thursday, February 16, 2012/Shebat 23, 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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When we state that the fruits of the seven species take precedence over the others, this applies only to the...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012/Shebat 15, 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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We mentioned the order of fruits (
Monday, February 6, 2012/Shebat 13, 5772
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Tu Bishbat is the Rosh Hashanah for the Trees. We eat additional fruits of the trees (whose Berakha is Borei...
Sunday, February 5, 2012/Shebat 12, 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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If on a cold Shabbath one forgot to turn on the heating, is one permitted to ask a non-Jew to turn on a heater?...
Friday, January 27, 2012/Shebat 3, 5772
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We mentioned previously that a man and woman may not live alone together without a valid Kethubbah and if it is...
Monday, January 16, 2012/Tebeth 21, 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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A man may not be alone with his wife even for one hour, without a Kethubbah. The reason why it was ordained that a...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012/Tebeth 15, 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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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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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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ויוסף בן שלשים שנה בעמדו לפני פרעה מלך מצרים ויצא יוסף מלפני...
Thursday, December 22, 2011/Kislew 26, 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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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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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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The Shabbath candles allude to the abundance that women, through their Tefilloth (prayers), can infuse into the...
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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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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Everyone has experienced the feeling of having to act under pressure. Perhaps others around us are pressurizing us...
Sunday, November 6, 2011/Heshwan 9, 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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One who finished his meal and did Mayim Aharonim may no longer eat or drink. If he wishes to eat or drink further,...
Sunday, October 30, 2011/Heshwan 2, 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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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
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We begin the request for rain, Mashib HaRuwah Umorid HaGeshem (according Sephardim or Gashem...
Tuesday, October 18, 2011/Tashri 20, 5772
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If there is discomfort in one's Sukkah, such as a bad smell or strong winds, one is permitted to leave the Sukkah...
Monday, October 10, 2011/Tashri 12, 5772
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At Minha of Yom Kippur three people go up to the Torah and read from the portion, in the Parasha of Aharei Moth,...
Wednesday, October 5, 2011/Tashri 7, 5772
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Maran z"l states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that there are those who stand the entire day on Yom Kippur and the entire...
Tuesday, October 4, 2011/Tashri 6, 5772
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One who is not fasting may not be a Hazzan on a fast day. But what does one do if in a Minyan there is no one who...
Sunday, October 2, 2011/Tashri 4, 5772
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One who fasts on the eve of Rosh Hashanah should obviously spend the day in Teshubah (repentance)and thoughts of...
Wednesday, September 28, 2011/Elul 29, 5771
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As mentioned previously, one may speak between the blessing and first blowings of the Shofar, about a matter that...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011/Elul 22, 5771
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There is a difference of opinion in the Gemara as to whether one needs to specify one's sins when confessing....
Tuesday, September 13, 2011/Elul 14, 5771
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One must make every effort to avoid sadness and worry, and not moan. Sadness is the Middah (character trait) of...
Monday, September 12, 2011/Elul 13, 5771
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There are three essential reasons for Mayim Aharonim. The first two are mentioned in the Gemara.
1....
Tuesday, August 16, 2011/Ab 16, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Arukh, based on the Gemara of Hullin (105a), states that Mayim Aharonim (washing one's fingers after...
Monday, August 15, 2011/Ab 15, 5771
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Washing oneself on Tish'ah Be-Ab is forbidden, whether in hot or cold water. Even dipping one's finger in water is...
Monday, August 8, 2011/Ab 8, 5771
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According to the Rama, one should not wear Shabbath clothes on Shabbath Hazon, but should continue wearing the...
Friday, August 5, 2011/Ab 5, 5771
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If a Milah takes place during the nine days between Rosh Hodesh Ab and Tish'ah BeAb, the custom is that the Mohel...
Monday, August 1, 2011/Ab 1, 5771
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On each of the three Shabbaths between the 17th of Tammuz and 9th of Ab we read one of the three Haftaroth...
Friday, July 29, 2011/Tammuz 27, 5771
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Since there are complications with the recitation of Sheheheyanu during the 22 days (See
If one forgets to say 'Anenu on a fast day, one does not repeat the 'Amidah. Even if one remembered before...
Tuesday, July 19, 2011/Tammuz 17, 5771
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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
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Everyone is obligated to fast on the four fasts, (Tish'ah BeAb [the 9th of Ab], the 17th of Tammuz, the 3rd of...
Sunday, July 17, 2011/Tammuz 15, 5771
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If one enters a Synagogue when the congregation are praying Minha, and finds that they are in the middle of the...
Tuesday, July 12, 2011/Tammuz 10, 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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Due to the sensitivity and emotions involved with the following topic I have not addressed these matters in the...
Monday, July 4, 2011/Tammuz 2, 5771
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A Pidyon HaBen (redemption of the first born) may not be held on Shabbath, even if it is not done through the use...
Friday, July 1, 2011/Siwan 29, 5771
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When praying the weekday 'Amidah, if one wishes to make any additions to any of the thirteen middle blessings...
Wednesday, June 29, 2011/Siwan 27, 5771
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Reading Tehillim for a woman in childbirth
The Kaf Hahayyim mentions a custom that some had, of saying...
Tuesday, June 28, 2011/Siwan 26, 5771
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There is a Pasuq (verse) in Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah 17:14) which says, רפאני י' וארפא הושיעני...
Monday, June 27, 2011/Siwan 25, 5771
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There are many who say that since the Zohar is difficult to understand they do not learn it. Rabbenu the Hida,...
Sunday, June 26, 2011/Siwan 24, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that at the conclusion of Shabbath (Mosei Shabbath) a blessing is recited on Besamim (a...
Friday, June 24, 2011/Siwan 22, 5771
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