All Torah Minutes
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We mentioned the order of fruits (
Monday, February 6, 2012/Shebat 13, 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 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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In the eyes of the Torah and our Rabbis of blessed memory, women are highly respected and recognized for their...
Friday, January 6, 2012/Tebeth 11, 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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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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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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According to the Sephardi custom, on Shabbath morning, before taking out the Sefer Torah, the verses of 'Attah...
Friday, December 16, 2011/Kislew 20, 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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Women were given the reward that they would keep Rosh Hodesh more than men because they refused to give their nose...
Friday, October 28, 2011/Tashri 30, 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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"And G-d spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai (במדבר סיני)." The Gematria of the words במדבר...
Thursday, May 26, 2011/Iyyar 22, 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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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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There are those who have the custom of not wearing new clothes that require the Berakha (blessing) of Sheheheyanu,...
Monday, May 2, 2011/Nisan 28, 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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On Shabbath and most Yamim Tobim (holidays) one may start Qiddush while it is still day. The Qiddush on the first...
Monday, April 18, 2011/Nisan 14, 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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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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There are times when some people are unable to start the Seder till after midnight (Halakhaic time). Hopefully it...
Wednesday, April 13, 2011/Nisan 9, 5771
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Even though the Seder must be done on time to enable one to eat the Afiqomen before Halakhaic midnight, it...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011/Nisan 8, 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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All Jewish males, from the age of thirteen and above, are obligated to eat Massa (Matzah) on the first night of...
Sunday, April 10, 2011/Nisan 6, 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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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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Care should be taken to eat the Afiqomen by midnight according to Sha'oth Zemanioth (Halakhic time). Since this...
Tuesday, April 5, 2011/Nisan 1, 5771
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The main purpose in eating the Afiqomen at the end of the meal, is that it is in memory of the Qorban Pesah...
Monday, April 4, 2011/Adar B 29, 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 search for leaven (Bediqath Hames) is done on the eve of the fourteenth of Nissan. The search must be done by...
Monday, March 28, 2011/Adar B 22, 5771
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Hagh'alah (purging) of metal utensils that were used for Hames (leaven) used to be much more common than it is...
Sunday, March 27, 2011/Adar B 21, 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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It is important to drink the four cups on Pesah (Passover), to the extent that if one has difficulty drinking...
Wednesday, March 23, 2011/Adar B 17, 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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Birkath Haggomel (blessing of thanksgiving) should be said within three days. The custom is to read it after the...
Monday, February 21, 2011/Adar A 17, 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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There are four Rosh Hashanahs (new years) and Tu Bishbath (the 15th of Shebat) is the new year for trees in...
Sunday, January 16, 2011/Shebat 11, 5771
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Why is Hanukkah eight days if the miracle of the oil was for only seven days? One explanation is as follows:
Tuesday, December 7, 2010/Kislew 30, 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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Why are we told that there must be enough oil to last the minimum required time of a half hour, before lighting...
Sunday, December 5, 2010/Kislew 28, 5771
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We mentioned previously that women are also obligated to read the full Hallel on Hanukkah. (See
The reading of Hallel on Hanukkah should be done with with intent and real happiness, because not even on Pesah do...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010/Kislew 24, 5771
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The special portion for Shabbath of "Resei" must be said in the Birkath HaMazon (Grace after meals) on Shabbath....
Tuesday, November 30, 2010/Kislew 23, 5771
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On Friday evening, if the lady of the house already lit the Shabbath lights and accepted Shabbath, but she is also...
Friday, November 26, 2010/Kislew 19, 5771
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The question is often asked during Hanukkah, whether one may relight a wick or a candle that was used on the...
Monday, November 22, 2010/Kislew 15, 5771
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The Haftarah is connected to the Torah reading. No less than twenty one Pesuqim (verses) may be read, unless the...
Friday, November 19, 2010/Kislew 12, 5771
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On Shabbath the breaking of the bread is done on two loaves, even according to those who hold that twelve loaves...
Friday, November 12, 2010/Kislew 5, 5771
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The Sefer Hasidim is of the opinion that one should not cut one's hair on Rosh Hodesh. It is appropriate to be...
Sunday, November 7, 2010/Heshwan 30, 5771
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If, during the summer months, one says Barekh 'Alenu (or Ten Tal Umattar in the Ashkenazi custom), instead of...
Monday, October 4, 2010/Tashri 26, 5771
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Even though we say Mashib HaRuwah Umorid HaGeshem on Shemini 'Asereth, we do not say Barekh 'Alenu (WeThen Tal...
Sunday, October 3, 2010/Tashri 25, 5771
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The prayer for the rain is said just before the Musaf prayer of Shemini 'Asereth. From that time and until the...
Wednesday, September 29, 2010/Tashri 21, 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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Joy and happiness should be an intrinsic part of our very essence all year around. The service of G-d should...
Wednesday, September 22, 2010/Tashri 14, 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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The blessing of Leisheib BaSukkah refers to "dwelling in the Sukkah" and it would appear that it should be recited...
Monday, September 20, 2010/Tashri 12, 5771
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The commandment from the Torah to take the four species applies only to the first day of Sukkoth, as it says: "And...
Sunday, September 19, 2010/Tashri 11, 5771
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We eat more on 'Ereb Yom Kippur to show that we are happy to have Yom Kippur upon us shortly. And since we cannot...
Tuesday, September 14, 2010/Tashri 6, 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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Both nights of Rosh Hashanah require the Berakha (blessing) of Sheheheyanu. In most communities, when the lady of...
Friday, August 27, 2010/Elul 17, 5770
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It says in Parashath 'Eqeb, וזכרת את יהוה אלהיך כי הוא הנתן לך כח לעשות...
Thursday, July 29, 2010/Ab 18, 5770
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The prohibition of eating meat during the nine days (from Rosh Hodesh for Ashkenazim and from after Rosh Hodesh...
Tuesday, July 13, 2010/Ab 2, 5770
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During the nine days between Rosh Hodesh Ab and the ninth of Ab (Tish'ah BeAb), we should not plant or...
Monday, July 12, 2010/Ab 1, 5770
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If one is listening to the news during the 22 days (the three weeks), and the station has musical breaks between...
Wednesday, July 7, 2010/Tammuz 25, 5770
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As, I think, everyone is aware by now, yesterday we lost one of our holiest sages and a great Rabbinic leader, HaRab...
Tuesday, June 8, 2010/Siwan 26, 5770
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One must be particular to pay close attention to the reading of the Ten Commandments on the morning of Shabu'oth and...
Tuesday, May 11, 2010/Iyyar 27, 5770
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The fiftieth day of the 'Omer is the festival of Shabu'oth. Since there must be seven full weeks between Pesah and...
Monday, May 10, 2010/Iyyar 26, 5770
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All holidays (Yamim Tobim) are called holy convocations (Miqraei Qodesh). Just as we are commanded to honor Shabbath...
Tuesday, May 4, 2010/Iyyar 20, 5770
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There are varying customs concerning the laws of the 'Omer on Lagh La'Omer (the 33rd day of the 'Omer), especially...
Wednesday, April 28, 2010/Iyyar 14, 5770
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