All Torah Minutes
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Any place where Hamess (Hametz - leaven) was known to have been taken, must be checked. Not only that, but any...
Monday, March 8, 2010/Adar 22, 5770
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The Berakha (blessing) that one recites before the Bediqath Hamess (Hametz - search for the leaven) can cover his...
Sunday, March 7, 2010/Adar 21, 5770
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Sometimes one has to make a choice between two individuals who wish to lead the prayers (be Shaliyah Sibbur). One...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010/Adar 16, 5770
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Why did G-d cause the salvation in Purim to happen in a natural way and and not as an open miracle as happened in...
Sunday, February 28, 2010/Adar 14, 5770
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If someone who does not speak Hebrew hears the Meghilla read in Hebrew, from a Kosher scroll written in Hebrew, he...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010/Adar 9, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Arukh (Code of Jewish Law) prohibits crushing snow or hail on Shabbath. This means that they may not be...
Friday, February 19, 2010/Adar 5, 5770
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G-d tells the Children of Israel "Weyiqhu Li Terumah" (and you shall take a donation for Me). Why does it...
Thursday, February 18, 2010/Adar 4, 5770
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Our Rabbis of blessed memory tell us that Haman, vis-a-vis the Jewish people, is likened to a bird who built its nest...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010/Adar 3, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that the Berakha (blessing) of Sheheheyanu is said at night, over the reading of the...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010/Adar 2, 5770
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The custom is for the Hazzan to spread out the entire Meghilla like a letter, in order to make the miracle known....
Monday, February 15, 2010/Adar 1, 5770
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Everyone is obligated to hear the Meghilla twice on Purim, once at night and once during the day. Contrary to what...
Sunday, February 14, 2010/Shebat 30, 5770
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A Jewish landlord may rent his premises to a non Jew, even though the landlord knows that the non Jew will be...
Friday, February 12, 2010/Shebat 28, 5770
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Maran states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that one should only give food to a person if he knows that he will recite a...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010/Shebat 25, 5770
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Since a Mezuzah must be placed at the bottom of the upper third of a door post, a Mezuzah which was placed below the...
Monday, February 8, 2010/Shebat 24, 5770
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The Torah is the remedy for all transgressions. We have proof of this from the Zohar which says that:
Sunday, February 7, 2010/Shebat 23, 5770
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"Wayishma' Yithro Khohen Midian Hothen Moshe Eth Kol Asher 'Asah Eloqim Le Moshe UlYisrael 'Ammo" (Jethro, the priest...
Thursday, February 4, 2010/Shebat 20, 5770
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It is permitted to make a Beth Midrash (house of learning) out of a Synagogue. However, a Beth Midrash may not be...
Wednesday, February 3, 2010/Shebat 19, 5770
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The Kothel Hamma'arabi (Western Wall) is the only remnant that has remained for us, of the destruction of the Beth...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010/Shebat 18, 5770
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The importance of paying employees who are paid by the day can be best illustrated by the following story about...
Monday, February 1, 2010/Shebat 17, 5770
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Why did G-d command the Children of Israel to backtrack instead of continuing ahead through Pelishtim to the Land of...
Friday, January 29, 2010/Shebat 14, 5770
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We mentioned previously that there are three types of fruits, and we should attempt to eat some of each type on Tu...
Thursday, January 28, 2010/Shebat 13, 5770
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When Tu Bishbat falls on Shabbath, when should the fruits be eaten? There are those who have the custom, every Leil...
Wednesday, January 27, 2010/Shebat 12, 5770
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Someone who is having a meal with bread and gets into a protracted discussion with his friend, must do Netilath...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010/Shebat 11, 5770
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Before going to sleep we read Shema' Yisrael. According to the Shulhan 'Aruch, it is sufficient to read the first...
Monday, January 25, 2010/Shebat 10, 5770
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A person must be particular to perform every commandment with great happiness. Rabbenu the Ari z"l wrote about its...
Sunday, January 24, 2010/Shebat 9, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Aruch tells us that one should not answer "Amen" to the Beracha (blessing) of a child who is being...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010/Shebat 4, 5770
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When looking for a job, it is normal to want to know what your renumeration will be before accepting it. You want to...
Sunday, January 17, 2010/Shebat 2, 5770
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It says in Parashath Waera: "Wa ani Aqshei eth leb Par'oh" (and I will harden Paharoah's heart). Many people ask if...
Thursday, January 14, 2010/Tebeth 28, 5770
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Nowadays, there are certain vegetables such as lettuce, that are grown in water and not in the earth, and are...
Tuesday, January 12, 2010/Tebeth 26, 5770
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Each of the Jewish people is commanded to do Rama"h (248) Miswoth 'Aseh (positive commandments). Of course, it is not...
Sunday, January 10, 2010/Tebeth 24, 5770
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WeKha-asher Ye'annu Otham Ken Yirbeh. As much as they would afflict them, so would they increase. Depending on the...
Friday, January 8, 2010/Tebeth 22, 5770
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Are women permitted to say the Berachoth (blessings) connected with the Pesuqei DeZimra, of Baruch Sheamar and...
Wednesday, January 6, 2010/Tebeth 20, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Aruch, quoting the Gemarra, states that after leaving the Synagogue one should go to the Beth Midrash to...
Sunday, January 3, 2010/Tebeth 17, 5770
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There are those who write notes and messages on their hand. If someone does this before Shabbath, he should remember...
Thursday, December 31, 2009/Tebeth 14, 5770
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If there are (10 or more) individuals who finished their silent 'Amidah very fast, they may not start the repetition...
Tuesday, December 29, 2009/Tebeth 12, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Arukh mentions a custom of taking turns to read the Birchoth Hashahar (morning blessings) and each of...
Monday, December 28, 2009/Tebeth 11, 5770
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Anger is a most serious character trait. The Arizal was more strict about the need to avoid anger than any other...
Sunday, December 27, 2009/Tebeth 10, 5770
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When the Ba'alath HaBayith (lady of the house) lights the Shabbath lights, it is appropriate for her to pray that G-d...
Thursday, December 24, 2009/Tebeth 7, 5770
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It is a commandment upon every man to redeem his son if he is a first born of the mother, unless either parent is...
Wednesday, December 23, 2009/Tebeth 6, 5770
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When drinking a morning tea or coffee with a cookie, doughnut or danish (Path Habba-ah Bekhisanin - which is...
Tuesday, December 22, 2009/Tebeth 5, 5770
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It says in the Ashrei "WeAttah Nothen Lahem Eth Okhlam Be'Itto" (You give them their food at the right time). It is...
Sunday, December 20, 2009/Tebeth 3, 5770
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"Lo Attem Shelahtem Othi Henna, Ki HaElo-kim" (It was not you who sent me here, but G-d).
If people...
Friday, December 18, 2009/Tebeth 1, 5770
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One may not make one's bed during the day on Shabbath in order for it to be ready on Mosei Shabbath (Saturday night)....
Wednesday, December 16, 2009/Kislew 29, 5770
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On Hanukkah, the reason that we read from the Torah portion connected with the gifts that the Nesi-im (Princes of...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009/Kislew 28, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that If a person did not kindle the Hanukkah lights at the appropriate time, he can light...
Sunday, December 13, 2009/Kislew 26, 5770
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"Elleh Toldoth Ya'aqob, Yosef" (these are the generations of Jacob, Joseph). When the Torah says these are the...
Friday, December 11, 2009/Kislew 24, 5770
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Even though everybody lights at home, the Hanukkah lights are also kindled in the Synagogue between Minha and 'Arbith...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009/Kislew 22, 5770
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Ya'aqob Abinu, 'a"h, (Jacob) says to G-d, "Hasileni Na Miyad Ahi" (please save me from the hand of my brother, from...
Friday, December 4, 2009/Kislew 17, 5770
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It says in the Shulhan 'Arukh that one may make a mark with one's finger nail in a book on Shabbath, the way that...
Thursday, December 3, 2009/Kislew 16, 5770
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If a person who is eating bread says the Beracha of "Shehakol" or "Borei Minei Mezonoth" or "Borei Peri Ha-adamah",...
Wednesday, December 2, 2009/Kislew 15, 5770
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Maran Yosef Caro states in the Shulhan 'Aruch that a garment with more than four corners requires fringes (Sissioth),...
Tuesday, December 1, 2009/Kislew 14, 5770
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One must be particular not get one's clothes dirty when eating. It is preferable to eat with a spoon (or fork) rather...
Monday, November 30, 2009/Kislew 13, 5770
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There is a Mashal (parable) of servants who were expected to bring presents to their master the king. Some brought...
Saturday, November 28, 2009/Kislew 11, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Aruch states that it is forbidden to fast on Shabbath until the (end of the) sixth hour, which is midday...
Thursday, November 26, 2009/Kislew 9, 5770
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When washing one's hands (Netilath Yadayim) for bread and the like, one should, strictly speaking, say the Beracha...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009/Kislew 7, 5770
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Is it better to walk to Synagogue on a weekday, or is it equally acceptable to drive? The following question was...
Monday, November 23, 2009/Kislew 6, 5770
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We humans are the most advanced of all the species in the world. We are endowed with wisdom and understanding and the...
Sunday, November 15, 2009/Heshwan 28, 5770
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We mentioned previously that Rabbenu the Ari z"l was very particular to always have a Hazarah (repetition) after the...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009/Heshwan 24, 5770
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Hakhamenu z"l (our Rabbis of blessed memory) said that a man must be very particular about the Minha prayer in all...
Monday, November 9, 2009/Heshwan 22, 5770
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It says in Ben Ish Hai that there are those who celebrate their birthdays every year. Hacham Yosef Hayim, 'a"h, adds...
Sunday, November 8, 2009/Heshwan 21, 5770
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Hatmanah, which is the act of insulating food by covering, is forbidden on Shabbath, when the food is in the vessel...
Thursday, November 5, 2009/Heshwan 18, 5770
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When eating a meal with a KeBesah (2 ozs.) or more of bread, one must do Netilath Yadayim (the ritual washing of...
Wednesday, November 4, 2009/Heshwan 17, 5770
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Angels are called "'Omdim" (standing still) because they do not have a Yeser Hara' (evil inclination) which pulls...
Friday, October 30, 2009/Heshwan 12, 5770
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The Shulhan 'Arukh writes that cutlery, crockery and the like may be washed on Shabbath, provided that they will be...
Thursday, October 29, 2009/Heshwan 11, 5770
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We have to be particular not to wear two garments together, meaning one inside the other and put the two on together...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009/Heshwan 9, 5770
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If, for some reason, when reading the Torah on Shabbath morning, a Pasuq (verse) was skipped, then the congregation...
Sunday, October 25, 2009/Heshwan 7, 5770
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Rabbenu Bahayye (Bahya) states that the question begging to be asked, is why didn't Noah, who is described by the...
Friday, October 23, 2009/Heshwan 5, 5770
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It says in the Talmud Yerushalmi that Ribbi Haggai said that Shabbath and Yom Tob were given for the purpose of...
Thursday, October 22, 2009/Heshwan 4, 5770
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There is an opinion that nails and hair should not be cut on Thursday. The reason, as mentioned by the Taz, is that...
Wednesday, October 21, 2009/Heshwan 3, 5770
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There are some differences between the customs of Ashkenzim and Sephardim when it comes to cutting one's nails.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009/Heshwan 2, 5770
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Originally, Rosh Hodesh was to be given to the Jewish people as a Festival (in addition to the Festivals of Pesah,...
Sunday, October 18, 2009/Tashri 30, 5770
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A Jew is forbidden from giving a non-Jew money during the week in order to buy him something on Shabbath. Similarly,...
Thursday, October 15, 2009/Tashri 27, 5770
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Tefillin contain the following four Parashioth (sections from the Torah):
1. Qaddesh Li 2. Wehaya Ki...
Wednesday, October 14, 2009/Tashri 26, 5770
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When we finish reading the last portion of the Torah (Wezoth Habberakha) on Simhath Torah, we begin reading Bereshith...
Monday, October 12, 2009/Tashri 24, 5770
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Please note: there are those who have mentioned a rumor that Ethroghs are saturated with pesticides more than other...
Friday, October 9, 2009/Tashri 21, 5770
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Fixing a Sefer Torah on Hol Hammo'ed is forbidden if it requires a Sofer (scribe) to repair it by adding a letter (as...
Monday, October 5, 2009/Tashri 17, 5770
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On the first day of Sukkoth, having a Lulab and Ethrogh is a commandment from the Torah (outside the Beth Hammiqdash...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009/Tashri 12, 5770
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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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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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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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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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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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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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