All Torah Minutes
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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אמר רבי יהושע בן לוי. בכל יום ויום בת קול יוצאת מהר חורב ומכרזת...
Wednesday, June 1, 2011/Iyyar 28, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that Habdalah should be recited while seated. The Rama comments in his gloss that there...
Friday, May 27, 2011/Iyyar 23, 5771
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"Asarah Nissim Na'asu LaAbothenu Bebeth Hamiqdash" (Ten miracles were wrought for our forefathers in the Temple)....
Wednesday, May 25, 2011/Iyyar 21, 5771
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הקנאה והתאוה והכבוד מוציאין את האדם מן העולם "Jealousy, desire and honor,...
Wednesday, May 18, 2011/Iyyar 14, 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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מעשרות, סיג לעשר "Tithes are a fence for wealth". Even though the human mind tells us that a person...
Wednesday, May 11, 2011/Iyyar 7, 5771
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Our Rabbis of blessed memory tell us that just as we are commanded to say something that will be heard...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011/Nisan 30, 5771
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"Let your house be wide open and let the poor be members of your household." This instruction comes to teach us...
Thursday, April 28, 2011/Nisan 24, 5771
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Even though if one finds Hames in one's home on Pesah one must remove it on Hol Hammo'ed, nevertheless, if one...
Thursday, April 21, 2011/Nisan 17, 5771
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Even though we are not permitted to own or even see Hames (leaven) on Pesah, if a non-Jew enters a Jew's home with...
Sunday, April 17, 2011/Nisan 13, 5771
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After one does a thorough Bediqah and Bi'ur (search and burning) of the Hames (leaven), one assumes that the house...
Thursday, March 31, 2011/Adar B 25, 5771
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Ta'anith Bekhoroth (the fast of the firstborn) is in memory of the miracle that took place when the Children of...
Wednesday, March 30, 2011/Adar B 24, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Aruch states that one who was preoccupied in monetary matters, in order that he would not incur a...
Sunday, January 2, 2011/Tebeth 26, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Aruch mentions that when a congregation prays the silent 'Amidah, even if every one of the...
Monday, December 27, 2010/Tebeth 20, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Arukh mentions that when the Jewish people used to live in their settlements, they would blow six...
Friday, December 24, 2010/Tebeth 17, 5771
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In the winter months one must be concerned at all times to clear the snow and ice from where people walk on one's...
Friday, December 17, 2010/Tebeth 10, 5771
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The ideal time to light the Hanukkah candles during the week is when the stars come out (Seth Hakkokhabim). If one...
Monday, December 6, 2010/Kislew 29, 5771
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The Rama states that one should not say to another, "Come and eat my food, just like I ate yours", because it...
Wednesday, November 17, 2010/Kislew 10, 5771
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It says in the Mishnah Berurah that the blessing of Refa-einu (heal us), in the 'Amidah, is said after the...
Monday, October 25, 2010/Heshwan 17, 5771
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If a Kohen who has not yet prayed finds the congregation praying the 'Amidah, he can do the Birkath Kohanim...
Wednesday, October 13, 2010/Heshwan 5, 5771
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There are different opinions concerning what food must be consumed in order to recite the Berakha (blessing) of...
Tuesday, September 21, 2010/Tashri 13, 5771
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According to Rabbenu Hayyim Wittal, 'a"h, the custom of his master the Ari z"l was to say confession (Widdui)...
Sunday, September 5, 2010/Elul 26, 5770
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There is a difference of opinion concerning the reading of Waykhullu on Friday night after the 'Amidah. The most...
Friday, July 23, 2010/Ab 12, 5770
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Painting/coloring is forbidden on Shabbath. However, the Shulhan 'Aruch states that one may put saffron into food...
Friday, July 2, 2010/Tammuz 20, 5770
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Whenever a Minyan (quorum of ten men) is required, all the ten must be together in one place with the Hazzan. If...
Wednesday, June 30, 2010/Tammuz 18, 5770
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On Shabbath, one is not permitted to cut one's nails either by hand or with an instrument. Part of the preparation...
Friday, June 18, 2010/Tammuz 6, 5770
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Making Birkath Hammmazon (Grace after meals), after eating the required quantity of bread, is a positive commandment...
Sunday, June 6, 2010/Siwan 24, 5770
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When reading the Shema', the Shulhan 'Arukh rules that the primary concentration is in the first Pasuq (verse) which...
Tuesday, May 25, 2010/Siwan 12, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that if one makes the Berakha (blessing) of Borei Minei Besamim over any fragrance (even...
Sunday, May 23, 2010/Siwan 10, 5770
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"The Sages taught in the language (style) of the Mishna".
Pirqei Aboth (Ethics of the Fathers) comprises,...
Sunday, May 9, 2010/Iyyar 25, 5770
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In the Ethics of the Fathers it says: Da' Mah Lema'alah Mimmakh - Know what is above you; an eye that is watching and...
Sunday, April 11, 2010/Nisan 27, 5770
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Thirty days before Pesah, one should inquire about the halakhoth (laws) of Pesah. We learn this from the fact...
Monday, March 1, 2010/Adar 15, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Aruch states that making a sound on Shabbath with a musical instrument is forbidden. However, to knock...
Thursday, January 21, 2010/Shebat 6, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that on Friday night, 'Arbith (the evening prayer) is prayed earlier than it is during the...
Friday, January 15, 2010/Tebeth 29, 5770
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One who is reciting the Qaddish (Kaddish), must do so in a calm temperate manner, and not hurriedly. This is because...
Monday, January 11, 2010/Tebeth 25, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Arukh mentions a custom of taking turns to read the Birchoth Hashahar (morning blessings) and each of...
Monday, December 28, 2009/Tebeth 11, 5770
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Maran Yosef Caro states in the Shulhan 'Aruch that a garment with more than four corners requires fringes (Sissioth),...
Tuesday, December 1, 2009/Kislew 14, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Aruch states that it is forbidden to fast on Shabbath until the (end of the) sixth hour, which is midday...
Thursday, November 26, 2009/Kislew 9, 5770
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