All Torah Minutes
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"Whoever studies Torah for its own sake, merits a multitude of things" (Aboth 6:1). Whoever studies Torah for its...
Wednesday, May 23, 2012/Siwan 2, 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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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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It says in the Ethics of the Fathers: "Who is the one who is mighty? The one who subjugates his inclination. As it...
Tuesday, May 8, 2012/Iyyar 16, 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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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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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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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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In the Haftarah of this week's Parasha, Parashath Tazriya', we read about the honored General of Aram, Na'aman,...
Wednesday, April 25, 2012/Iyyar 3, 5772
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עשה רצונו כרצונך. כדי שיעשה רצונך כרצונו. "Do His will as if it were your own, so...
Monday, April 23, 2012/Iyyar 1, 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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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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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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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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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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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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Even though it is read every year, is there anyone who doesn't find himself or herself amazed and astonished at...
Wednesday, March 7, 2012/Adar 13, 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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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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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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ועבדתם את יהוה אלהיכם וברך את לחמך ואת מימיך "And you shall serve the L-rd...
Thursday, February 16, 2012/Shebat 23, 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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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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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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It is a very great honor to be the Sandaq (the one who holds the baby in his lap) during a Milah. There is an...
Wednesday, January 25, 2012/Shebat 1, 5772
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Eliyahu Hanabi Zakhur LaTob (Elijah the Prophet) visits every Milah that takes place around the world and then...
Tuesday, January 24, 2012/Tebeth 29, 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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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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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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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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Every holy day in the Jewish calendar has something that we can carry with us for the rest of the year. For...
Wednesday, December 28, 2011/Tebeth 2, 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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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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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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Our Rabbis of blessed memory said ('Erubin 18b) that a portion of a man's praise may be said in his presence, and...
Sunday, December 4, 2011/Kislew 8, 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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ונתן לי לחם לאכל ובגד ללבש "He will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear" (Bereshith...
Thursday, December 1, 2011/Kislew 5, 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 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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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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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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When one sits in the shade of the Sukkah, it is as if he sits in the shade of Emunah (faith), because the word...
Tuesday, October 11, 2011/Tashri 13, 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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As we approach the holy day of Yom Kippur, we are in the midst of a journey which is leading us to the climax....
Friday, October 7, 2011/Tashri 9, 5772
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Rabbenu the Hida, 'a"h, writes that one must make every effort to say the 'Arbith prayer, after the conclusion of...
Friday, October 7, 2011/Tashri 9, 5772
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There was once a very pious individual who gave charity on a regular basis. One day he had occasion to travel by...
Thursday, October 6, 2011/Tashri 8, 5772
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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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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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When a person is going through some kind of suffering, he is permitted to make a Neder (vow). We see this from...
Tuesday, September 6, 2011/Elul 7, 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 though the Torah permits squeezing liquid out of hair on Shabbath, because hair is not an absorbent material,...
Friday, August 26, 2011/Ab 26, 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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Any permitted Shabbath labor (Melakha) may be forbidden if it is done as a preparation for after Shabbath....
Friday, August 19, 2011/Ab 19, 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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If one's clothes became wet on Shabbath one may walk in them and not be concerned that one may come to wring them...
Friday, August 12, 2011/Ab 12, 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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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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When a woman is Niddah she may not pour her husband a cup (of wine) if it is done in his presence. She should not...
Wednesday, July 20, 2011/Tammuz 18, 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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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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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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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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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that women are obligated in Habdalah in the same way that they are obligated in Qiddush,...
Friday, June 17, 2011/Siwan 15, 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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