All Torah Minutes
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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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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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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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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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If we had to select one place, where love, peace and harmony are most commonly found and practised, we would...
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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פנה אלי וחנני כי יחיד ועני אני "Turn towards me and be gracious to me because I am alone...
Sunday, January 22, 2012/Tebeth 27, 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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How do we react to people who we consider to be unattractive? What do we think when we see a person whose outer...
Thursday, January 19, 2012/Tebeth 24, 5772
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"Zebulun will dwell on the shores of the seas" (Bereshith 49:13). Why does it say 'seas' (Yamim) in the plural?...
Thursday, January 5, 2012/Tebeth 10, 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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ויוסף בן שלשים שנה בעמדו לפני פרעה מלך מצרים ויצא יוסף מלפני...
Thursday, December 22, 2011/Kislew 26, 5772
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It says in Ohr LeSion that there are many types of desires. It is not possible for a person to not have any desire...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011/Kislew 25, 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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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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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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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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בא אחיך במרמה ויקח ברכתך "Your brother came with cunning and took your blessing" (Bereshith...
Thursday, November 24, 2011/Heshwan 27, 5772
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Why Care for Others? (Rabbanith Ruth Menashe)
Why should I care about others' feelings? What do I have to do with them? Why should I trouble myself for the...
Friday, November 11, 2011/Heshwan 14, 5772
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We all want our children to treat us with respect. Honoring one's parents, as we all know, is one of the Ten...
Friday, October 28, 2011/Tashri 30, 5772
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ותשחת הארץ לפני הא' "And the earth was corrupt before G-d" (Bereshith 6:11). Why does it say...
Thursday, October 27, 2011/Tashri 29, 5772
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There is a custom to read the book of Tehillim over the two days of Rosh Hashanah. Hakham Yosef Hayim, 'a"h,...
Monday, September 26, 2011/Elul 27, 5771
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G-d commanded the prophet Jeremiah (Yirmiyahu 18:1-4) to go to a potter's house, where he observed the potter...
Friday, September 23, 2011/Elul 24, 5771
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The Rama states that it is forbidden to wash one's hands with soap on Shabbath (soap used to be made from animal...
Friday, September 16, 2011/Elul 17, 5771
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This past Monday, the thirteenth of Elul, people across the globe commemorated the 102nd passing of Hakham Yoseph...
Friday, September 16, 2011/Elul 17, 5771
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We mentioned that one should avoid making vows (Nedarim). If someone made a vow in an optional matter (where there...
Monday, September 5, 2011/Elul 6, 5771
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Sometimes one has to go against one's nature in order to properly fulfill the Will of Haqqadosh Barukh Hu (the...
Friday, September 2, 2011/Elul 3, 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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לא תטה משפט לא תכיר פנים "You shall not pervert judgement" (Debarim 16:19). One of the...
Thursday, September 1, 2011/Elul 2, 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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How does a matron greet a king? She beautifies herself and adorns herself with her royal attire and crown. What...
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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Why is it that a mother teaches her child to say the words "Abba" and "Imma" (Mum and Dad) as her child's first...
Thursday, August 18, 2011/Ab 18, 5771
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Rabban Shim'on Ben Gamliel said there were no happier days in Israel (among the Jewish people) than the fifteenth...
Sunday, August 14, 2011/Ab 14, 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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Somehow, when women and speech are mentioned, many people associate these words with a wide selection of jokes....
Friday, August 5, 2011/Ab 5, 5771
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ראה נתתי לפניכם את הארץ באו ורשו את הארץ... לתת להם ולזרעם...
Thursday, August 4, 2011/Ab 4, 5771
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As is well known, from Rosh Hodesh Ab till after Tish'ah BeAb, the custom amongst all Jews is not to eat meat and...
Sunday, July 31, 2011/Tammuz 29, 5771
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Opening Pistachios on Shabbath
Borer (separating something that one does not want from items that one...
Friday, July 22, 2011/Tammuz 20, 5771
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Umbrellas and parasols are very much part of everyday life to protect us from the rain as well as the sun. Their...
Friday, July 15, 2011/Tammuz 13, 5771
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In Shahrith, if one is in the middle of the Shema' and its blessings, and one knows that one can complete the...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011/Tammuz 11, 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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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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ויקח קרח "And Qorah took" (Bamidbar 16:1). What did Qorah take? In the Gemara of Sanhedrin (109b) it states...
Thursday, June 23, 2011/Siwan 21, 5771
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Looking further at the laws of Ribbith (interest/usury), let us consider the following scenario. A Jewish...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011/Siwan 20, 5771
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The laws of Ribbith (interest/usury) are numerous and complicated. These Halakhoth are being provided to make us...
Tuesday, June 21, 2011/Siwan 19, 5771
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Let us look at a case of a Jewish individual who sells an item to another Jew but does not require immediate...
Monday, June 20, 2011/Siwan 18, 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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שלח לך אנשים ויתרו את ארץ כנען אשר אני נתן לבני ישראל "Send men to spy...
Thursday, June 16, 2011/Siwan 14, 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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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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וכל תרומה לכל קדשי בני ישראל אשר יקריבו לכהן לו יהיה, "And all Terumah...
Thursday, June 2, 2011/Iyyar 29, 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 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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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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If one finishes S'euddah Shelishith (third meal) on Shabbath after it becomes certain night, when one comes to say...
Friday, May 20, 2011/Iyyar 16, 5771
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Hakham Yoseph Hayyim, 'a"h, in Hasdei Aboth, quotes the Gemara which recounts that Hillel Hazzaqen was walking...
Thursday, May 19, 2011/Iyyar 15, 5771
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The adage "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise", is attributed to Benjamin...
Monday, May 16, 2011/Iyyar 12, 5771
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It seems to me that if one searches through a book for jokes about mothers-in-law and daughters-in- law, one would...
Friday, May 13, 2011/Iyyar 9, 5771
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It says in the Gemarra of Niddah (17a) that Ribbi Shim'on Bar Yohai states that there are five things which cause...
Monday, May 9, 2011/Iyyar 5, 5771
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The following story from the Yalqut is mentioned in Me'il Sedaqa written by Hakham Eliyahu HaKohen, 'a"h.
Thursday, May 5, 2011/Iyyar 1, 5771
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Any Melacha (forbidden labor) that is forbidden on Shabbath is similarly forbidden on Yom Tob (a holiday). The...
Sunday, April 24, 2011/Nisan 20, 5771
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One is forbidden to eat even the smallest particle of Hames (Hametz) on Pesah (Passover). Therefore, after one...
Monday, April 11, 2011/Nisan 7, 5771
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וכבס המטהר את בגדיו וגלח את כל שערו ורחץ במים "The person being purified shall...
Thursday, April 7, 2011/Nisan 3, 5771
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What does one do if one forgets to eat the Afiqomen? If one forgot to eat the Afiqomen and did Mayim Aharonim (the...
Wednesday, April 6, 2011/Nisan 2, 5771
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One must not do Melakha (work) on 'Ereb Pesah (the eve of Passover), from midday (Halakhaic time). This refers to...
Sunday, April 3, 2011/Adar B 28, 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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G-d commands us to be holy. This means that the physical dimension of who we are should be purified to such an...
Thursday, March 10, 2011/Adar B 4, 5771
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Laziness and haste are two complete opposites. Is it possible that there is a common factor or connection between...
Thursday, March 10, 2011/Adar B 4, 5771
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One should not eat garlic or onions if they remained overnight fully peeled. If they were only partially peeled,...
Tuesday, March 1, 2011/Adar A 25, 5771
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There is an opinion that Qiddush may only be made where the Shabbath lights were kindled, whereas another opinion...
Friday, February 25, 2011/Adar A 21, 5771
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ויבאו כל איש אשר נשאו לבו וכל אשר נדבה רוחו אתו "Every man whose heart raised...
Thursday, February 24, 2011/Adar A 20, 5771
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Periodically, someone will come to me in a very disturbed state about a dream that he or she had. They always...
Sunday, February 20, 2011/Adar A 16, 5771
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Unlike Friday night when, if there is no wine available, one makes Qiddush on the bread, if one does not have wine...
Friday, February 18, 2011/Adar A 14, 5771
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We are told in Parashath Ki Thissa, that Shabbath is a sign between G-d and the Jewish people. Hakham Yoseph...
Friday, February 18, 2011/Adar A 14, 5771
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If one has no wine at all for Qiddush on Friday night, the Qiddush is made on the bread as follows:
Friday, February 11, 2011/Adar A 7, 5771
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Ribbi Yehoshua and Ribbi Eliezer met and angel carrying a bright, shining robe, a spiritual robe which clothes the...
Thursday, February 10, 2011/Adar A 6, 5771
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וחשב אפדתו אשר עליו כמעשהו ממנו יהיה "The finely made belt of the Ephod (apron)...
Thursday, February 10, 2011/Adar A 6, 5771
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When we say that a son is obligated to honor his parents by feeding them and clothing them (see
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