All Torah Minutes
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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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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 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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If one got delayed and did not pray Minha and finds that it is getting too late, or finds that the congregation...
Wednesday, January 18, 2012/Tebeth 23, 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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The Gemara tells us that the benefit of a fast day comes from the charity that is distributed. This is the basis...
Wednesday, January 4, 2012/Tebeth 9, 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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On the four public fast days (apart from the 9th of Ab), the Torah portion of Wayhal Moshe (Shemoth 32:11-14 and...
Monday, January 2, 2012/Tebeth 7, 5772
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If a child is holding a stone on Shabbath, his father may pick him up and it is not considered as if the father is...
Friday, December 30, 2011/Tebeth 4, 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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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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If a woman is running late because of matters she has to attend to on Friday afternoon, and gets home a little...
Friday, December 9, 2011/Kislew 13, 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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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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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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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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Ordinarily, the blessing said on wine covers all other drinks also. There is a difference of opinion, however,...
Monday, October 31, 2011/Heshwan 3, 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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There is a discussion in the Gemara (Menahoth 32b) as to whether one is permitted to sit on a bed/couch which has...
Wednesday, October 26, 2011/Tashri 28, 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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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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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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One who does not have enough money to purchase a Sukkah as well as take care of other Miswoth should make his...
Sunday, October 9, 2011/Tashri 11, 5772
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At Minha of Yom Kippur three people go up to the Torah and read from the portion, in the Parasha of Aharei Moth,...
Wednesday, October 5, 2011/Tashri 7, 5772
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Maran z"l states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that there are those who stand the entire day on Yom Kippur and the entire...
Tuesday, October 4, 2011/Tashri 6, 5772
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Many authorities allow the use of liquid soap on Shabbath. But there are notable exceptions and there are...
Friday, September 23, 2011/Elul 24, 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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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 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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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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After Tish'ah Be-Ab and the difficult period of 22 days are over, one soon forgets the fasting and the Abeluth...
Wednesday, August 10, 2011/Ab 10, 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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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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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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Everyone is obligated to fast on the four fasts, (Tish'ah BeAb [the 9th of Ab], the 17th of Tammuz, the 3rd of...
Sunday, July 17, 2011/Tammuz 15, 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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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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Reading Tehillim for a woman in childbirth
The Kaf Hahayyim mentions a custom that some had, of saying...
Tuesday, June 28, 2011/Siwan 26, 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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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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As we know, once it is past sunset, one who says "Today is X days of the 'Omer", can no longer count that night...
Sunday, May 8, 2011/Iyyar 4, 5771
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Different people pray the 'Amidah in different ways. Some pray quickly while some take much longer than others.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011/Nisan 29, 5771
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The Rama states in his gloss to the Shulhan 'Arukh that after taking three steps back at the end of the 'Amidah,...
Wednesday, February 23, 2011/Adar A 19, 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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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that until the one who is breaking the bread has eaten from his own portion, the other...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011/Tebeth 28, 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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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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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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When a person goes on a trip he should make a list to ensure that he takes all the items he will require to...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010/Kislew 9, 5771
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A person who goes on a journey should make the effort to have others appoint him to do a Miswah (meritorious deed)...
Monday, November 15, 2010/Kislew 8, 5771
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When someone leaves on a trip he must make sure not to separate from his friend while crying. Crying is a danger...
Sunday, November 14, 2010/Kislew 7, 5771
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If someone remembers in the middle of his meal that he did not pray and got up from the meal and prayed then, even...
Wednesday, November 10, 2010/Kislew 3, 5771
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A woman who has the custom to pray Minha every day, must do so on Friday afternoon before she kindles the Shabbath...
Friday, November 5, 2010/Heshwan 28, 5771
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On Friday night the Hashkibenu in the 'Arbith prayer ends with "Happores Sukkath Shalom 'Alenu..." (And ...
Friday, October 22, 2010/Heshwan 14, 5771
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A Cohen who does not know how to articulate the letters correctly, such as saying Aleph for Ahn or Heh for Heth...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010/Heshwan 11, 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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The one who says the blessing of Hammosi (Hamotzi) and breaks the bread on behalf of others at the table, should...
Friday, October 8, 2010/Tashri 30, 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 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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One must increase the amount one eats during the day of the eve of Yom Kippur ('Ereb Yom Kippur). Eating on that...
Friday, September 17, 2010/Tashri 9, 5771
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Every person has to scrutinize his deeds during the Ten Days of Repentance. When there is a doubt whether a matter...
Monday, September 13, 2010/Tashri 5, 5771
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On Rosh Hashanah one should eat, drink and be happy, and should not fast. The commandment of "You shall rejoice in...
Wednesday, September 8, 2010/Elul 29, 5770
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There are differing customs as to whether or not Abinu Malkenu may be said on Shabbath. This applies to Shabbath...
Monday, September 6, 2010/Elul 27, 5770
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During the 'Amidah on Rosh Hashanah, the Yom Tob (Holy Day) of Rosh Hashanah must be specifically mentioned. If it...
Sunday, August 29, 2010/Elul 19, 5770
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There are pious individuals who fast every 'Ereb Rosh Hodesh (the day before the new month). There are various...
Monday, August 9, 2010/Ab 29, 5770
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If the Sefer Torah is open and the Kohen is reading the "Shema'", he is not permitted to interrupt his reading of...
Monday, July 26, 2010/Ab 15, 5770
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If there were both a Kohen (Cohen) and a Lewi (Levi) in the Synagogue and the Kohen was called up to the Torah for...
Sunday, July 25, 2010/Ab 14, 5770
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