All Torah Minutes
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On Tish'a BeAb (the 9th of Ab) we are only permitted to do Netilath Yadayim (the ritual washing of hands) up to the...
Thursday, July 30, 2009/Ab 9, 5769
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The final meal before the fast of Tish'ah BeAb (Se'uddah Mafseqeth) cannot be eaten sitting on regular chairs or even...
Wednesday, July 29, 2009/Ab 8, 5769
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The Jewish people questioned why G-d did not pay attention to their fasts. "Why have we fasted and You did not see?...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009/Ab 7, 5769
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We are not permitted to cut our nails during the week of Tish'ah BeAb (the 9th of Ab). However, Rabbenu the Ari, z"l...
Monday, July 27, 2009/Ab 6, 5769
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Sewing and the like is forbidden during the week of Tish'ah BeAb, and the custom is to forbid it from Rosh Hodesh. A...
Sunday, July 26, 2009/Ab 5, 5769
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Attaching clothes with a pin or safety pin on Shabbath is related to the Melakha (Shabbath labor) of sewing. It is...
Thursday, July 23, 2009/Ab 2, 5769
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It says in the Gemarra of Ta'anith that if we have a court case or legal dealings with a non Jew, it should be...
Wednesday, July 22, 2009/Ab 1, 5769
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There are various customs regarding the prohibition of eating meat and drinking wine during the 22 days (the Three...
Tuesday, July 21, 2009/Tammuz 29, 5769
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The reading of the Shema' has many Kawwanoth (intents). However, if one did not have at least the basic meaning of...
Sunday, July 19, 2009/Tammuz 27, 5769
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We mentioned previously that we are not permitted to use a Synagogue as a short cut, by entering from one entrance...
Thursday, July 16, 2009/Tammuz 24, 5769
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We are not permitted to use a Synagogue as a short cut. So if a Synagogue is in the middle of a block and has one...
Wednesday, July 15, 2009/Tammuz 23, 5769
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Are you permitted to pay a Jewish workman in advance so that he will give you a lower price than the one he would...
Tuesday, July 14, 2009/Tammuz 22, 5769
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The reciting of the Shema' twice a day is a positive commandment dependent upon time. As it says: "Ubshukhbekha...
Sunday, July 12, 2009/Tammuz 20, 5769
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Moshe Rabbenu, 'a"h, asks G-d to appoint someone over the 'Edah (assembly).
In Parashath Beha'alothkha,...
Friday, July 10, 2009/Tammuz 18, 5769
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Love, as we all know, is a powerful emotion. It is much needed, seeked by many and extremely praiseworthy. It is...
Wednesday, July 8, 2009/Tammuz 16, 5769
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Because of the calamities that befell the Jewish people during the twenty two days from the Seventeenth of Tammuz...
Tuesday, July 7, 2009/Tammuz 15, 5769
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It is improper to leave a Tallith Gadol unfolded overnight. If someone forgot to fold it and found it unfolded in the...
Sunday, July 5, 2009/Tammuz 13, 5769
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The first two Pesuqim (verses) of Parashath Huqqath both contain the word Lemor (saying). "Waydabber H' Il...
Friday, July 3, 2009/Tammuz 11, 5769
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Shabbath candles must be lit where they are going to remain. They may not even be moved by a non-Jew. If they were...
Thursday, July 2, 2009/Tammuz 10, 5769
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We mentioned that Gomel is only recited on very specific cases. However, if something that defies nature takes place,...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009/Tammuz 9, 5769
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How should we as wives treat our husbands? What actions will bring about blessings, peace and harmony into our...
Wednesday, July 1, 2009/Tammuz 9, 5769
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If a person was ill with an illness, and then felt better, but the illness had not yet been eliminated, so that he...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009/Tammuz 8, 5769
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We mentioned previously that the Sages of the Anshei Keneseth Haggedolah instituted a Birkath Hoda-ah (blessing of...
Monday, June 29, 2009/Tammuz 7, 5769
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We must all be very careful about honoring both our father and mother and to fear them.
Despite this, a Beth...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009/Tammuz 1, 5769
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If one's father (or mother) enters the room, one must stand for them. Likewise, if one's teacher enters the...
Monday, June 22, 2009/Siwan 30, 5769
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The Gaon Hida, 'a"h, writes that according to the Ari z"l, the Qaddish also helps the soul rise in...
Sunday, June 21, 2009/Siwan 29, 5769
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And they shall make fringes (Sissith [Tzitzith]) on the corners of their garments ('Al Kanfei Bighdeihem),...
Friday, June 19, 2009/Siwan 27, 5769
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Each of the three Shabbath meals require two loaves of bread. The loaves must be whole, in memory of the double...
Thursday, June 18, 2009/Siwan 26, 5769
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When preparing for Shabbath on Friday, we must keep in mind two important matters which are interconnected. One...
Wednesday, June 17, 2009/Siwan 25, 5769
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There are those who are of the opinion that if after one has said the blessing of Hammosi (Hamotzi) on the bread and...
Tuesday, June 16, 2009/Siwan 24, 5769
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We are not permitted to eat and drink in a Synagogue (this refers to a sanctuary and not adjacent rooms or catering...
Monday, June 15, 2009/Siwan 23, 5769
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If someone needs to enter a Synagogue or a Beth Midrash (study hall), for a purpose not connected with prayer or...
Sunday, June 14, 2009/Siwan 22, 5769
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The Parasha of Beha'alothekha begins with the words, "Beha'alothekha Eth Hanneroth" (when you raise...
Friday, June 12, 2009/Siwan 20, 5769
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If a Jewish person cooks food deliberately on Shabbath, knowing that it is forbidden (this excludes cooking in the...
Thursday, June 11, 2009/Siwan 19, 5769
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When members of a family eat (a meal with bread) together, the most senior member (generally the head of the...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009/Siwan 18, 5769
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If someone finds an article that has no identifying sign on it, and it is the type of article where its owner would...
Monday, June 8, 2009/Siwan 16, 5769
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If someone found books that have an identifying mark, he must not read from them, but must keep them in an...
Sunday, June 7, 2009/Siwan 15, 5769
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Koh Thebarkhu Eth Benei Yisrael (Thus shall you bless the Children of Israel). For what reason did the Jewish people...
Friday, June 5, 2009/Siwan 13, 5769
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Let us look at a case where a non-Jew visits a Jew on Shabbath, and brings him food from outside the Tehom Shabbath...
Thursday, June 4, 2009/Siwan 12, 5769
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How important is it for a woman, to go to Synagogue on Shabbath?
Hakham Yoseph Hayyim 'a"h, answers...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009/Siwan 11, 5769
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If someone's father (or mother) asks him to do something for them, such as bringing a them glass of water, and...
Wednesday, June 3, 2009/Siwan 11, 5769
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As we know, honoring one's father and mother is the fifth commandment of the Ten Commandments and one that we...
Tuesday, June 2, 2009/Siwan 10, 5769
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Ordinarily, one drinks water to quench one's thirst. In such a case, we must recite the blessing of Shehakkol...
Monday, June 1, 2009/Siwan 9, 5769
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It behooves us to mention that, unlike Pesah and Sukkoth, Shabu'oth does not have popular rituals like dwelling...
Thursday, May 28, 2009/Siwan 5, 5769
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We are not permitted to prepare on the first day of a holiday (Yom Tob) for the second day. As such, one may not cook...
Tuesday, May 26, 2009/Siwan 3, 5769
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The first night of Shabu'oth requires "certain night" (Layla Wadday - after the stars come out) before Qiddush can...
Monday, May 25, 2009/Siwan 2, 5769
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When making Qiddush on the night of Shabu'oth (in the Land of Israel, or both nights outside the Land of Israel),...
Sunday, May 24, 2009/Siwan 1, 5769
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Most people eat a dairy meal in the morning of Shabu'oth. Let us look at a couple of reasons for this. ...
Friday, May 22, 2009/Iyyar 28, 5769
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In the summer months, it is very common for people to start Shabbath early. It often happens, that when someone has...
Thursday, May 21, 2009/Iyyar 27, 5769
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It says in Ben Ish Hai that anyone who is a glutton is considered to be trapped in the thicket of the Evil...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009/Iyyar 26, 5769
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Boaz praises Ruth for the path she chose and for her actions. He said to her: "May G-d reward your actions, and...
Wednesday, May 20, 2009/Iyyar 26, 5769
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We sometimes hear in the news about "forced marriages". This is a totally foreign concept in Judaism. In...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009/Iyyar 25, 5769
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Strictly speaking, when a Hathan (bridegroom) gets married, he should recite the blessings himself. If he gets...
Monday, May 18, 2009/Iyyar 24, 5769
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"Ish 'Al Dighlo BeOthoth Lebeth Abotham Yahanu Benei Yisrael". Each man of the Children of Israel shall...
Sunday, May 17, 2009/Iyyar 23, 5769
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Our Rabbis of blessed memory tell us in the Gemara of Shabbath, that a person's speech on Shabbath may not be...
Wednesday, May 13, 2009/Iyyar 19, 5769
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Lagh La'Omer (the 33rd day of the 'Omer) is, of course, the day in which the great Tanna, Ribbi Shim'on...
Tuesday, May 12, 2009/Iyyar 18, 5769
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We mentioned previously, the custom of both Sephardim and Ashkenazim, of performing weddings on Lagh La'Omer (Lag...
Monday, May 11, 2009/Iyyar 17, 5769
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As we know, weddings are not held during parts of the 'Omer. There are some different customs concerning...
Sunday, May 10, 2009/Iyyar 16, 5769
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Ben 'Azzai says you should run to perform a smaller commandment, just as you would run to do a major one.
...
Friday, May 8, 2009/Iyyar 14, 5769
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It says in Parashath Beha'alothkha that those who were unable to bring the Qorban Pesah (Paschal sacrifice),...
Thursday, May 7, 2009/Iyyar 13, 5769
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When we think about the fifth commandment: "Honor your father and mother", we naturally tend to focus on...
Wednesday, May 6, 2009/Iyyar 12, 5769
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If somebody has a store, from where he sells merchandise, the storekeeper normally goes there every day throughout...
Sunday, May 3, 2009/Iyyar 9, 5769
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It says in Parashath Qedoshim "Wehithqaddishtem Weeheeyethem Qedoshim" (And you shall sanctify yourself and...
Friday, May 1, 2009/Iyyar 7, 5769
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Something that I have noticed over the years is that people are becoming increasingly careless about letting the...
Wednesday, April 29, 2009/Iyyar 5, 5769
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When eating a meal, we must sit in an honorable manner at the table and be dressed appropriately. Just like one would...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009/Iyyar 4, 5769
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If someone is reading the Shema' in Synagogue and they call him up to the Torah, even if they call him by name,...
Sunday, April 26, 2009/Iyyar 2, 5769
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It says in the Parasha of Taharoth, "Two live, clean birds shall be taken for the person being purified"....
Friday, April 24, 2009/Nisan 30, 5769
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Ribbi Tarfon tells us in Pirqei Aboth (Ethics of the Fathers): "Wehassakhar Harbeh" (and the reward is...
Thursday, April 23, 2009/Nisan 29, 5769
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We mentioned a couple of times that a person should know before saying the Berakha how many days of the 'Omer it...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009/Nisan 27, 5769
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We said previously that a person must know before saying the Berakha ([Bracha] blessing) how many days of the...
Monday, April 20, 2009/Nisan 26, 5769
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When counting the 'Omer, before starting the blessing, a person must know how many days of the 'Omer it is...
Sunday, April 19, 2009/Nisan 25, 5769
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It says in the Ethics of the Fathers (Pirqei Aboth) that Moshe Rabbenu, 'a"h, received the Torah from Sinai...
Friday, April 17, 2009/Nisan 23, 5769
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Men are obligated to count the 'Omer every night with a Berakha ([Bracha] blessing), provided, of course, they...
Monday, April 13, 2009/Nisan 19, 5769
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On the first two days of Pesah (Passover) -- the first day for those in Israel -- we say the complete Hallel....
Sunday, April 12, 2009/Nisan 18, 5769
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The prophet Micha prophesied the following: "According to the days of your coming out of the land of Egypt I will...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009/Nisan 14, 5769
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On Pesah (Passover) we dip the Karpas (celery) into salt or lemon water or vinegar, and then later we dip the...
Sunday, April 5, 2009/Nisan 11, 5769
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Zoth Torath Ha'olah, Hee Ha'olah... (This is the law of the elevation offering - This one is the elevation...
Friday, April 3, 2009/Nisan 9, 5769
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All first born males (Bekhoroth) have to fast the day before Pesah (Passover), even if they are Cohen or Levi...
Thursday, April 2, 2009/Nisan 8, 5769
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The order of the Birkath Hahammah (Blessing on the Sun) is as follows:
The congregation should assemble at a...
Wednesday, April 1, 2009/Nisan 7, 5769
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The holiday of Passover has two major names: Pesah and Hagh HaMassoth (Passover and the Festival of the unleavened...
Wednesday, April 1, 2009/Nisan 7, 5769
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If one performs a commandment through a sin, it is as if he hs not performed that commandment. A typical...
Tuesday, March 31, 2009/Nisan 6, 5769
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The Afiqomen has to be eaten at the end of the meal because it is in memory of the Qorban Pesah (the Passover...
Monday, March 30, 2009/Nisan 5, 5769
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Birkath Ha-Ilanoth (the blessing on the trees) should be done in the month of Nissan, and "Zerizin Maqdimin...
Sunday, March 29, 2009/Nisan 4, 5769
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"When a man from among you (Mikkem) brings an offering to G-d".
Our lives are a balance between the...
Friday, March 27, 2009/Nisan 2, 5769
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We were redeemed in the month of Nissan, and will be redeemed in Nissan in the future. It says: Aharith Kereshith,...
Thursday, March 26, 2009/Nisan 1, 5769
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During the Seder, we perform the act of dipping vegetables twice. The first time we dip the Karpas (celery) in...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009/Adar 29, 5769
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In order to say the Birkath Hahama (Blessing on the Sun) with Shem Umalkhuth (G-d's name) the Berakha...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009/Adar 28, 5769
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"WaYabo-u Kol Ish Asher Nesao Libbo", (and they all came, every man, whose heart lifted him up). We learn from...
Friday, March 20, 2009/Adar 24, 5769
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The art of weaving is traditionally the specialty of women. In fact, the women were the ones who were engaged in the...
Wednesday, March 18, 2009/Adar 22, 5769
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"We'Aseetha Kiyyor Nehosheth WeKhano Nehosheth Lerohsa", "You shall make a copper laver with a...
Friday, March 13, 2009/Adar 17, 5769
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