All Torah Minutes
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It used to be that outside the Land of Israel the Jewish people had to keep a second day of Yom Tob because of a...
Thursday, May 24, 2012/Siwan 3, 5772
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We have spoken about the importance of staying up all night on Shabu'oth. The holy Ben Ish Hai writes that one...
Monday, May 21, 2012/Iyyar 29, 5772
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Bones and peels that were peeled or became separated on Yom Tob (a holy day), fall under the category of Nolad (an...
Monday, May 14, 2012/Iyyar 22, 5772
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On Lagh La'Omer, multitudes visit the grave of Ribbi Shim'on Bar Yohai. Is one required to do Netilath Yadayim...
Wednesday, May 9, 2012/Iyyar 17, 5772
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(Continued from
Monday, May 7, 2012/Iyyar 15, 5772
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In the Adra Zota there is a special description of how Ribbi Shim'on Bar Yohai (Rashbi) left the world. There was...
Sunday, May 6, 2012/Iyyar 14, 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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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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An Onen (one whose immediate relative has died but has not yet been buried), is exempt from all the commandments...
Wednesday, April 18, 2012/Nisan 26, 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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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
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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
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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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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
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The Gemara of Meghillah explains that on the first of Adar it is announced that we must donate Sheqalim to the...
Tuesday, February 14, 2012/Shebat 21, 5772
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The Ben Ish Hai mentions that it is a Miswah (Mitzvah) to lengthen the prayer on Saturday night, because of the...
Friday, February 10, 2012/Shebat 17, 5772
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We mentioned the order of fruits (
Monday, February 6, 2012/Shebat 13, 5772
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The amount of money one makes every year, is decided on the High Holy Days. If someone were to work on Shabbath he...
Friday, February 3, 2012/Shebat 10, 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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Understanding and knowing G-d takes a lot of effort. Most people only know G-d on a superficial level and content...
Thursday, January 26, 2012/Shebat 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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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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During the week, the Hanukkah Menorah is lit in the Synagogue and, provided there is a Minyan (quorum of ten...
Tuesday, December 20, 2011/Kislew 24, 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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"And Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath"... (Bereshith 35,19)
The tomb of the Matriarch...
Friday, December 9, 2011/Kislew 13, 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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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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The Rosh (Rabbenu Asher, 'a"h) was born and initially lived in the Ashkenzi lands, but because of persecution...
Sunday, November 27, 2011/Kislew 1, 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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One should be particular to cut one's fingernails and toenails every Friday ('Ereb Shabbath). If the nails do not...
Friday, November 11, 2011/Heshwan 14, 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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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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On Simhath Torah, a Kohen can be called up as Hathan Torah. In such a case, another Kohen should go up for the...
Wednesday, October 19, 2011/Tashri 21, 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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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
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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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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
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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 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
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One should not make a Neder (vow) nowadays because making a vow is considered to be like building a Bamah (altar)....
Sunday, September 4, 2011/Elul 5, 5771
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"For it is a sign between Me and you, for your generations"... (Exodus, 31,13). The word "for your generations" in...
Friday, September 2, 2011/Elul 3, 5771
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Ashkenzim in the Land of Israel and Sephardim everywhere, have the custom that the Kohanim perform the Birkath...
Tuesday, August 9, 2011/Ab 9, 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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If one must wear clean clothes on the week of Tish'ah BeAb, they should be prepared from before Shabbath by...
Wednesday, August 3, 2011/Ab 3, 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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אלה מסעי בני ישראל אשר יצאו מארץ מצרים לצבאתם ביד משה ואהרן:...
Thursday, July 28, 2011/Tammuz 26, 5771
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Since there are complications with the recitation of Sheheheyanu during the 22 days (See
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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One of the most well known phrases in Parashath Balaq is "How goodly are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places...
Friday, July 8, 2011/Tammuz 6, 5771
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ולא ראה עמל בישראל "He saw no perverseness in Israel" (Bamidbar 23:21). Onkelos translates this as...
Thursday, July 7, 2011/Tammuz 5, 5771
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בהעלתך את הנרת "When you kindle the lights" (Bamidbar, 8:2). Rashi, quoting Midrash Tanhuma, asks why...
Friday, June 10, 2011/Siwan 8, 5771
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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
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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
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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
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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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Love and unity are required between the Jewish people at all times. During the days of the 'Omer, however, we must...
Tuesday, May 24, 2011/Iyyar 20, 5771
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What does one do if one cannot remember what day of the 'Omer it is before counting and has no way of checking? In...
Sunday, May 1, 2011/Nisan 27, 5771
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Men are not permitted to cut their hair or shave on Hol Hammo'ed (the intermediate days of a holiday). Even one...
Friday, April 22, 2011/Nisan 18, 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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The obligation to speak about the exodus from Egypt applies not only to men but to women also. Nowadays, many...
Thursday, April 14, 2011/Nisan 10, 5771
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On the night of the Seder, the custom is for the Ba'al Habbayith (the head of the household) to lead the Zimmun...
Friday, April 8, 2011/Nisan 4, 5771
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A large portion of the preparations for Pesah (Passover) revolves around food: buying, preparing, cooking and...
Friday, April 1, 2011/Adar B 26, 5771
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If one wishes to fill up a room with storage items, in such a manner that one will be unable to do the Bediqath...
Tuesday, March 29, 2011/Adar B 23, 5771
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The Shabbath prior to the last Shabbath of the month of Adar is Shabbath Parah, (but it can also fall on the last...
Friday, March 25, 2011/Adar B 19, 5771
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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
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Everyone is obligated to send Mishlowah Manoth (gifts of at least two food portions) to at least one friend on the...
Tuesday, March 15, 2011/Adar B 9, 5771
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Everybody is obligated to hear the reading of the Meghillah. Women are obligated because they were also part of...
Monday, March 14, 2011/Adar B 8, 5771
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There is a parable of a person who owned a very high tower which had a weak foundation. Because of the deficiency...
Tuesday, February 15, 2011/Adar A 11, 5771
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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
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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
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The Holiday of Shemini 'Asereth/Simhath Torah which falls at the end of Sukkoth is a Holiday unto itself. The Rama...
Tuesday, September 28, 2010/Tashri 20, 5771
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There were times when an entire community had no choice but to share one set of Lulab and Ethrogh. There was even...
Wednesday, September 22, 2010/Tashri 14, 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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