All Torah Minutes
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Since we are commanded to keep Sukkoth for seven days and dwell in booths, there is a question in the Gemarra whether...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009/Tashri 11, 5770
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We must start the holy day (Yom Tob) of Yom kippur some time before sunset. On the eve of Shabbath we do this when we...
Sunday, September 27, 2009/Tashri 9, 5770
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We must ask for forgiveness from others before Yom Kippur because sins between a person and his fellow man are not...
Friday, September 25, 2009/Tashri 7, 5770
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It says in the Torah (Ha-azinu, 32: 1) that Moshe Rabbenu called on the Heavens and the earth as witnesses when he...
Thursday, September 24, 2009/Tashri 6, 5770
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One of the three special commandments for women is the one of separating "Hallah" (Hafrashath Hallah). In the past,...
Thursday, September 24, 2009/Tashri 6, 5770
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It is forbidden to fast the day before Yom Kippur. On the contrary we are required to eat the amount of food that we...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009/Tashri 5, 5770
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Even the night of Yom kippur should be spent in a state of holiness. There are those who stay in the Synagaogue the...
Tuesday, September 22, 2009/Tashri 4, 5770
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During the 'Asereth Yemei Teshubah (the Ten Days of Repentance between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), we should...
Monday, September 21, 2009/Tashri 3, 5770
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One should not sleep during the day on Rosh Hashanah. This includes making the effort to wake up in the morning...
Friday, September 18, 2009/Elul 29, 5769
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When Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbath, people sometimes feel that something is lacking in view of the fact that we do...
Thursday, September 17, 2009/Elul 28, 5769
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Let us imagine the following scenario, a group of soldiers betrayed their king and joined the army of the enemy....
Thursday, September 17, 2009/Elul 28, 5769
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Women are exempt from hearing the Shofar since women are not obligated in positive precepts that must be performed at...
Wednesday, September 16, 2009/Elul 27, 5769
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When the first day of Rosh Hashanah falls on Shabbath, there are those who do Tashlikh (the symbolic casting of one's...
Tuesday, September 15, 2009/Elul 26, 5769
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The Rama writes that we do not say the prayer of Abinu Malkenu on Rosh Hashanah if it is Shabbath. The Rashbas states...
Monday, September 14, 2009/Elul 25, 5769
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There are Synagogues which have two different people to blow the Shofar every year, one on the first day of Rosh...
Sunday, September 13, 2009/Elul 24, 5769
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Many people erroneously believe that Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, falls on the day the world was created. In...
Friday, September 11, 2009/Elul 22, 5769
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Razal tell us that the words "Zakhor" and "Shamor" (remember and keep [the Sabbath]) were said in one utterance.
Thursday, September 10, 2009/Elul 21, 5769
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In the Parasha of Wayelekh, Moshe Rabbenu commands the entire Jewish nation to gather, once every seven years, to...
Thursday, September 10, 2009/Elul 21, 5769
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The month of Elul is a time for Teshubah (repentance) and introspection. Each night it is appropriate for us to...
Wednesday, September 9, 2009/Elul 20, 5769
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If someone stole an item worth, let us say $100, and the value of that item drops to say $50, does he have to return...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009/Elul 19, 5769
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It says in the Mishnah Berurah that the custom is to add a piece of silk to the top portion of the Sissith (Tallith...
Monday, September 7, 2009/Elul 18, 5769
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The month of Elul is when we turn our thoughts to repentance in preparation for the Yamim Noraim, Rosh Hashanah and...
Sunday, September 6, 2009/Elul 17, 5769
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It says in the Parasha of Ki Thabo, "And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you listen to...
Friday, September 4, 2009/Elul 15, 5769
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A recent Torah Minute, Reassembling an item on Shabbath generated a lot of questions. A...
Thursday, September 3, 2009/Elul 14, 5769
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When a group of people eat bread together, and only one person actually recites the blessing, when saying the...
Wednesday, September 2, 2009/Elul 13, 5769
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If you had to choose the one part of your body which is most crucial for the process of repentance, what would it...
Wednesday, September 2, 2009/Elul 13, 5769
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Everyone is aware that we are obligated to honor our parents. Perhaps less well known is the obligation to honor...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009/Elul 12, 5769
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If a Sefer Torah was rolled to the place of that day's reading in preparation to be taken out and, by mistake,...
Monday, August 31, 2009/Elul 11, 5769
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If you only suck the juice out of a fruit without eating it, do you recite a blessing (Berakha) of Borei Peri Ha'es...
Sunday, August 30, 2009/Elul 10, 5769
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It says in Parashath Ki These: If you build a new house, you must make a fence for your roof.
This can be...
Friday, August 28, 2009/Elul 8, 5769
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When a woman completes the lighting of the Shabbath candles, Shabbath has started for her. If a man should light them...
Thursday, August 27, 2009/Elul 7, 5769
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There are those whose business commonly takes them on extended overseas trips throughout the year. The Radbaz was...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009/Elul 6, 5769
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We are a few days into the month of Elul, the month of mercy and forgiveness. Rosh Hodesh Elul marks 40 days before...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009/Elul 6, 5769
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With which hand (against which shoulder) should a person carry a Sefer Torah? If we say that it must it only be...
Tuesday, August 25, 2009/Elul 5, 5769
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We are obligated to recite one hundred Berakhoth (blessings) a day. On Shabbath and Yom Tob as we know, there are...
Monday, August 24, 2009/Elul 4, 5769
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In the Parasha of Wayyera Sara Immenu says "... and my husband is old". When G-d repeats this to Abraham Abinu, He...
Sunday, August 23, 2009/Elul 3, 5769
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It says in Parashath Shoftim: Justice, justice Shall you pursue. Why is the word "Justice" doubled?
It...
Friday, August 21, 2009/Elul 1, 5769
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An item that is made in sections, as is common with shelving and the like, that comes apart, is forbidden to be put...
Thursday, August 20, 2009/Ab 30, 5769
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A question that is asked fairly regularly concerns what one should do with one's Mezuzoth (Mezuzah’s) when...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009/Ab 29, 5769
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This week's Parasha, Parashath Shoftim, begins with the following verse: "You shall appoint judges and officers in...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009/Ab 29, 5769
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If a Hakham or an important person who is taking a long time saying his 'Amidah, notices that the Hazzan and the...
Tuesday, August 18, 2009/Ab 28, 5769
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If someone borrows a pair of Tefillin he is permitted to recite the Berakha (blessing) over it, since we can fulfill...
Monday, August 17, 2009/Ab 27, 5769
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During the Minha prayer, if someone started the first verse: "Hashem Sefathai Tiftah", but had not yet started the...
Sunday, August 16, 2009/Ab 26, 5769
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It says in Parashath Re-eh, "Wehayeetha Akh Sameyah" (and you shall be totally happy). We see from this how dear...
Friday, August 14, 2009/Ab 24, 5769
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On Shabbath, because of the Melakha of Borer (the forbidden activity of separating), we are forbidden to separate bad...
Thursday, August 13, 2009/Ab 23, 5769
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During these difficult times, when people are facing financial hardships, as well as many other challenges, it is...
Thursday, August 13, 2009/Ab 23, 5769
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A Mezuzah must be placed in the upper third of the doorpost, irrespective of the height of the door. If a person...
Wednesday, August 12, 2009/Ab 22, 5769
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A Milah (circumcision) is normally held on the eighth day, unless the child is not well enough. A Pidyon Habben...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009/Ab 21, 5769
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Maran writes in the Shulhan 'Arukh, "A person must not think that G-d should fulfill his requests because he had the...
Monday, August 10, 2009/Ab 20, 5769
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How can we understand the statement in the morning blessings (Birkhoth Hashahar), "Al Tebi-eni Leedei Het" (do not...
Sunday, August 9, 2009/Ab 19, 5769
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The Parasha of 'Eqeb begins by telling us that "'Eqeb" (when/as soon as) we hear G-d's ordinances (Mishpatim) and we...
Friday, August 7, 2009/Ab 17, 5769
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A Rabbinical question (She-elah) was asked concerning those who light the Shabbath candles using oil instead of...
Thursday, August 6, 2009/Ab 16, 5769
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What is the connection between the tongue, the arrow and the bullet? Are there any similarities or differences?
Thursday, August 6, 2009/Ab 16, 5769
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If a person wishes to open a store in a certain area where there already is an existing store in the same line of...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009/Ab 15, 5769
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A question is asked in Torah Lishmah about someone who had the custom of waiting 24 hours after eating meat, before...
Tuesday, August 4, 2009/Ab 14, 5769
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Why is the abbreviation of G-d's Holy Ineffable Name the letter Heh? In view of the fact that His Name actually...
Monday, August 3, 2009/Ab 13, 5769
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Under normal circumstances we would assume that another person would be happy if we borrowed an item of theirs...
Sunday, August 2, 2009/Ab 12, 5769
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It says in the Haphtarah of Shabbath Nahamu: "Hareemee Bakkowah Qolekh..." (raise your voice powerfully...Behold,...
Friday, July 31, 2009/Ab 10, 5769
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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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Normally, on a fast day, we say Widdui (confession) and Tehinna (supplications). On Tish'ah BeAb (the 9th of Ab),...
Tuesday, July 28, 2009/Ab 7, 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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It says in the Haphtarah of Debarim (Shabbath Hazon): Aharei Khen Yeqarei Lakh 'Ir Hassedeq Qeriah Ne-emanah. Later...
Friday, July 24, 2009/Ab 3, 5769
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Candle lighting for Shabbath is one of the three special commandments that were given specifically to women. In...
Thursday, July 23, 2009/Ab 2, 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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Our Rabbis tell us that Ya'aqob Abinu 'a"h (our father Jacob) took as a portion for himself, the Hebrew months of...
Monday, July 20, 2009/Tammuz 28, 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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In Parashath Mattoth it says, concerning vows (Nedarim) and oaths (Shebu'oth), "Moses spoke to the heads of the...
Friday, July 17, 2009/Tammuz 25, 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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When the time comes to give reward to people in the next world, The Creator will say: "Give this lady her reward for...
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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We have mentioned previously that before getting pleasure from a pleasant scent, we have to recite the blessing over...
Monday, July 13, 2009/Tammuz 21, 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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How close does one have to be to the candle when making the blessing of Borei Meorei HaEsh for Habdalah...
Thursday, July 9, 2009/Tammuz 17, 5769
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As we know, giving charity is considered to be one of the most important acts in Judaism. But is it possible to...
Wednesday, July 8, 2009/Tammuz 16, 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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When visiting a cemetery, we have to be very careful not to pray directly to those who are buried there, since we are...
Monday, July 6, 2009/Tammuz 14, 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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