All Torah Minutes
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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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Ordinarily, the blessing said on wine covers all other drinks also. There is a difference of opinion, however,...
Monday, October 31, 2011/Heshwan 3, 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 is a discussion in the Gemara (Menahoth 32b) as to whether one is permitted to sit on a bed/couch which has...
Wednesday, October 26, 2011/Tashri 28, 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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G-d said to Abraham (Abinu 'a"h), if there is no atonement for your children on Rosh Hashanah, let there be...
Monday, October 17, 2011/Tashri 19, 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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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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One who does not have enough money to purchase a Sukkah as well as take care of other Miswoth should make his...
Sunday, October 9, 2011/Tashri 11, 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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Many authorities allow the use of liquid soap on Shabbath. But there are notable exceptions and there are...
Friday, September 23, 2011/Elul 24, 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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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
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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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Even if one did not eat a meal but merely measured or touched salt or ate foods, that one normally sprinkles salt...
Tuesday, August 23, 2011/Ab 23, 5771
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The Gemara of Hullin says that Mayim Aharonim may not be done with Scalding water. There are those who say that...
Monday, August 22, 2011/Ab 22, 5771
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Maran z"l states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that one must wash for Mayim Aharonim up to the second joints of the...
Sunday, August 21, 2011/Ab 21, 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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After Tish'ah Be-Ab and the difficult period of 22 days are over, one soon forgets the fasting and the Abeluth...
Wednesday, August 10, 2011/Ab 10, 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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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
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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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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
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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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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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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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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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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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A man should sleep on his left side during the first part of the night so that the left part of his body is down...
Wednesday, June 15, 2011/Siwan 13, 5771
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Before going to bed at night we should forgive all those who sinned against us. Before...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011/Siwan 12, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that when reading the Shema' Yisrael before going to sleep, one reads the first passage....
Monday, June 13, 2011/Siwan 11, 5771
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The Rama states in his gloss on the Shulhan 'Arukh that from when one recites the Shema' before going to sleep at...
Sunday, June 12, 2011/Siwan 10, 5771
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It is appropriate to read the entire book of Tehillim (Psalms) on Shabu'oth, because King David, 'a"h, their...
Tuesday, June 7, 2011/Siwan 5, 5771
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Even if the community has not yet prayed 'Arbith of Friday night, if an individual prays the Friday night Shabbath...
Friday, June 3, 2011/Siwan 1, 5771
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On holy days such as Shabu'oth, Ya'alei Weyabo must be recited in the 'Amidah. If it is omitted during any of the...
Monday, May 30, 2011/Iyyar 26, 5771
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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
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Our Rabbis of blessed memory stated that all the Festivals will be cancelled except for Hagh HaShabu'oth (the...
Monday, May 23, 2011/Iyyar 19, 5771
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When three people eat bread together they become obligated to make Zimmun (lit. invitation) before reciting...
Sunday, May 22, 2011/Iyyar 18, 5771
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It states in the Gemara of Shabbath that the Hakhamim were only able with difficulty to permit comforting mourners...
Friday, May 13, 2011/Iyyar 9, 5771
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