All Torah Minutes
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שאו את ראש כל עדת בני ישראל "Count the heads of all the Congregation of the Sons of Israel"...
Friday, May 25, 2012/Siwan 4, 5772
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"Whoever studies Torah for its own sake, merits a multitude of things" (Aboth 6:1). Whoever studies Torah for its...
Wednesday, May 23, 2012/Siwan 2, 5772
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Ruth was the beautiful daughter of the King of Moab and a widow of one of the most honorable man of that...
Wednesday, May 23, 2012/Siwan 2, 5772
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We have spoken about the importance of staying up all night on Shabu'oth. The holy Ben Ish Hai writes that one...
Monday, May 21, 2012/Iyyar 29, 5772
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The portion of the blessings in Parashath Behuqqothai, begins with the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet (Aleph...
Friday, May 18, 2012/Iyyar 26, 5772
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It says in the Ethics of the Fathers that "Exile comes to the world on account of idolatry, adultery, bloodshed...
Tuesday, May 15, 2012/Iyyar 23, 5772
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Rabbenu Behayyei asks why it was necessary for the Torah to reveal all the details of the man who blasphemed...
Thursday, May 10, 2012/Iyyar 18, 5772
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Ribbi Aqiba, the shepherd who could not read the alphabet, yet rose to be a Torah giant, lost 24,000 students in a...
Wednesday, May 9, 2012/Iyyar 17, 5772
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ואהבת לרעך כמוך אני י' "And you shall love your neighbor as yourself, I am the L-rd" (Wayiqra...
Thursday, May 3, 2012/Iyyar 11, 5772
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Many women are fascinated and react with awe and admiration to the woman behind the heroic sage, Ribbi Aqiba. (To...
Thursday, May 3, 2012/Iyyar 11, 5772
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Maran Yosef Qaro, 'a"h, states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that if through error or because of circumstances out of...
Tuesday, May 1, 2012/Iyyar 9, 5772
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(אשה) כי תזריע וילדה זכר "When (a woman) conceives and gives birth to a male child" (Wayyiqra...
Thursday, April 26, 2012/Iyyar 4, 5772
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It is not uncommon for people to kiss the hand of a Hakham, especially in Sephardi circles. The question is, if a...
Wednesday, April 25, 2012/Iyyar 3, 5772
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In the Haftarah of this week's Parasha, Parashath Tazriya', we read about the honored General of Aram, Na'aman,...
Wednesday, April 25, 2012/Iyyar 3, 5772
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When pledges are made in Synagogues and Midrashim on Shabbath, it is customary to have a system in place with...
Friday, April 20, 2012/Nisan 28, 5772
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Hakham Yehudah Ftaya ('Atereth Rahel), 'a"h, tells a story about three people who found themselves together one...
Friday, April 20, 2012/Nisan 28, 5772
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קחו שעיר עזים לחטאת ועגל וכבש בני שנה תמימם לעלה "Take a he-goat ... and a...
Thursday, April 19, 2012/Nisan 27, 5772
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The Mefarshim say that this Masekheth (tractate) is entitled "[Pirqei] Aboth" (Ethics of the Fathers), because the...
Tuesday, April 17, 2012/Nisan 25, 5772
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When the seventh day of Pesah (Passover) falls on Friday, for those who live outside the Land of Israel, Shabbath...
Wednesday, April 11, 2012/Nisan 19, 5772
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On Friday night, at the Shabbath meal, we are obligated from the Torah to eat bread (or Massah when it falls on...
Tuesday, April 10, 2012/Nisan 18, 5772
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From the first day of Pesah we stop saying the request for rain, Mashib Haruwah Umorid HaGeshem (Gashem for...
Monday, April 9, 2012/Nisan 17, 5772
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Everyone is obligated to to look at himself as if he, himself, came out of Egypt (Pesahim 116b). One of the...
Friday, April 6, 2012/Nisan 14, 5772
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Even though, during the recitation of the Haggadah, the Massoth (Matzot) are uncovered, when the portion of "Hee...
Thursday, April 5, 2012/Nisan 13, 5772
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At different times during the Seder, the Massoth (Matzot) are covered and uncovered. During the actual recitation...
Wednesday, April 4, 2012/Nisan 12, 5772
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The stringencies associated with Hamess (leaven) on Pesah are quite unusual and strict. Hakham Sasson Mordekhai...
Wednesday, April 4, 2012/Nisan 12, 5772
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If a Jew is holding Hamess that belongs to another Jew, he must not sell it before the time when it becomes...
Tuesday, April 3, 2012/Nisan 11, 5772
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Someone who wears braces should clean them properly and should not eat any Hamess for 24 hours before the time...
Monday, April 2, 2012/Nisan 10, 5772
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The search for leaven (Bediqath Hamess) is done right after nightfall on the night of the 14th of Nissan, which is...
Sunday, April 1, 2012/Nisan 9, 5772
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Unlike Shabbath, when if one forgets to make Habdalah at its conclusion, there is still the possibility of doing...
Friday, March 30, 2012/Nisan 7, 5772
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Zoth Torath Ha'Olah, Hee Ha'Olah, 'Al Moqdah. "This is the Torah (law) of the burnt offering; It is the...
Thursday, March 29, 2012/Nisan 6, 5772
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The Torah forbade Hamess (Hametz) on the 14th of Nissan (the morning of the eve of Pesah), from the end of the...
Wednesday, March 28, 2012/Nisan 5, 5772
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Pots that one will not be using over Pesah do not require Hagh'alah (purging). Nevertheless, they need to be...
Tuesday, March 27, 2012/Nisan 4, 5772
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One may rent premises to a non-Jew to live in over Pesah, even though he knows that the non-Jew will bring Hamess...
Monday, March 26, 2012/Nisan 3, 5772
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Sometimes, when a soul returns to this world, it returns in an entity other than a human being. When the time...
Sunday, March 25, 2012/Nisan 2, 5772
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אדם כי יקריב מכם קרבן לה' "When a man from amongst you (Mikkem) brings an offering to G-d"...
Thursday, March 22, 2012/Adar 28, 5772
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When returning from Synagogue on the first night of Pesah, one should come home happy and radiant and should greet...
Wednesday, March 21, 2012/Adar 27, 5772
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Nowadays, in the majority of places, Jewish people of many varied backgrounds live together with their own...
Tuesday, March 20, 2012/Adar 26, 5772
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A hot water urn which is used on Shabbath and other days year round, often has Hamess (Hametz) placed directly on...
Monday, March 19, 2012/Adar 25, 5772
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A microwave oven that was used throughout the year should ideally not be used for Pesah (Passover). If it is...
Sunday, March 18, 2012/Adar 24, 5772
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אלה פקודי המשכן משכן העדת אשר פקד על פי משה "These are the calculations of the...
Thursday, March 15, 2012/Adar 21, 5772
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The Berakha (blessing) of HaMosi (Hamotzi) is recited before the blessing of "'Al Akhilath Massa (Matzah)". After...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012/Adar 20, 5772
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The Jewish women in Egypt used polished copper mirrors when beautifying themselves. We all know that for...
Wednesday, March 14, 2012/Adar 20, 5772
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There is no obligation to eat Massah (Matzah) on Pesah, other than on the first night. This is based on the Pasuq...
Tuesday, March 13, 2012/Adar 19, 5772
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The Rambam writes that it is a Miswah (Mitzvah) to be happy and to gladden his wife and children on the holidays....
Monday, March 12, 2012/Adar 18, 5772
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One should inquire about (study) the Halakhoth (laws) of Pesah from 30 days before Pesah. Therefore, one should...
Sunday, March 11, 2012/Adar 17, 5772
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It says in Ben Ish Hai that in the Qedusha of Musaf on Shabbath, the Hazzan should lengthen the word Ayyeh...
Friday, March 9, 2012/Adar 15, 5772
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ילך נא א' בקרבנו כי עם קשה ערף הוא וסלחת לעוננו ולחטאתנו "Let my L-rd...
Thursday, March 8, 2012/Adar 14, 5772
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One may not speak while the Meghillah is being read. If one spoke between the Berakha (blessing) and the reading,...
Wednesday, March 7, 2012/Adar 13, 5772
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Even though it is read every year, is there anyone who doesn't find himself or herself amazed and astonished at...
Wednesday, March 7, 2012/Adar 13, 5772
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At the time of the giving of the Torah, the Children of Israel said "Na'aseh WeNishma'" (we will do and we will...
Tuesday, March 6, 2012/Adar 12, 5772
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The Rama mentions in his gloss on the Shulhan 'Arukh that it is a good custom to eat foods containing Zer'onim...
Monday, March 5, 2012/Adar 11, 5772
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One must increase one's eating and drinking on Purim and fasting is not permitted. The only exception is a...
Sunday, March 4, 2012/Adar 10, 5772
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ועשית בגדי קדש לאהרן אחיך לכבוד ולתפארת "You shall make holy vestments for Aaron...
Thursday, March 1, 2012/Adar 7, 5772
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Moshe Rabbenu (Moses), 'a"h, was born on the 7th of Adar and passed away on the 7th of Adar after 120 years. As...
Wednesday, February 29, 2012/Adar 6, 5772
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Even though we say that young children should be brought to hear the Meghillah being read, very small children...
Tuesday, February 28, 2012/Adar 5, 5772
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It is a fine custom to bring small children to hear the reading of the Meghillah on Purim. This is in order to...
Monday, February 27, 2012/Adar 4, 5772
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If someone is holding a non-kosher Meghillah (this includes printed ones), he should not read along with the...
Sunday, February 26, 2012/Adar 3, 5772
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דבר אל בני ישראל ויקחו לי תרומה "Speak to the Children of Israel and let them take for Me...
Thursday, February 23, 2012/Shebat 30, 5772
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Many of us live in a society where food is found in abundance. The supermarkets are overflowing with a wide...
Thursday, February 23, 2012/Shebat 30, 5772
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Someone who has the opportunity to do a Pidyon HaBen (redemption of the first born male child)should consider it a...
Monday, February 20, 2012/Shebat 27, 5772
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ועבדתם את יהוה אלהיכם וברך את לחמך ואת מימיך "And you shall serve the L-rd...
Thursday, February 16, 2012/Shebat 23, 5772
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How would you react after being exposed to an overwhelmingly touching spiritual experience? How would you express...
Thursday, February 16, 2012/Shebat 23, 5772
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When Moshe Rabbenu, 'a"h, went up to Heaven to receive the Torah, the Malakhei Hashareth (ministering angels)...
Thursday, February 9, 2012/Shebat 16, 5772
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Would we ever approve of embarrassing another human being? Of course not. Would we ever consider expressing such...
Thursday, February 9, 2012/Shebat 16, 5772
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When we state that the fruits of the seven species take precedence over the others, this applies only to the...
Wednesday, February 8, 2012/Shebat 15, 5772
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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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We mentioned the order of fruits (
Monday, February 6, 2012/Shebat 13, 5772
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Tu Bishbat is the Rosh Hashanah for the Trees. We eat additional fruits of the trees (whose Berakha is Borei...
Sunday, February 5, 2012/Shebat 12, 5772
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The unusual bravery of the heroine Yael, who killed Sisera, the general of the Canaanite army, is a...
Friday, February 3, 2012/Shebat 10, 5772
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התיצבו וראו את ישועת ה' "Hithyassebu Ur-u Eth Yeshu'ath Hashem" (stand fast and see G-d's...
Thursday, February 2, 2012/Shebat 9, 5772
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According to Maran Yosef Qaro, 'a"h, one may not pass within four 'Ammoth (cubits) of one who is praying the...
Wednesday, February 1, 2012/Shebat 8, 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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The Kabbalists tell us that the month of Shebat represents the aspect of 'Hod' (splendor/empathy), which is the...
Sunday, January 29, 2012/Shebat 5, 5772
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If we had to select one place, where love, peace and harmony are most commonly found and practised, we would...
Friday, January 27, 2012/Shebat 3, 5772
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Understanding and knowing G-d takes a lot of effort. Most people only know G-d on a superficial level and content...
Thursday, January 26, 2012/Shebat 2, 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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Eliyahu Hanabi Zakhur LaTob (Elijah the Prophet) visits every Milah that takes place around the world and then...
Tuesday, January 24, 2012/Tebeth 29, 5772
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It is a Miswah (commandment) upon a man to do a Milah (circumcision) for his son. If he is not proficient at it he...
Monday, January 23, 2012/Tebeth 28, 5772
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The Shulhan Arukh states that the blessing of 'Me'ein Sheba'' in the Friday night prayer, is not recited in the...
Friday, January 20, 2012/Tebeth 25, 5772
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Why do we find four different expressions of Geullah (redemption) in the Parasha of Wa-era (והוצאתי,...
Thursday, January 19, 2012/Tebeth 24, 5772
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How do we react to people who we consider to be unattractive? What do we think when we see a person whose outer...
Thursday, January 19, 2012/Tebeth 24, 5772
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The Torah commands (Debarim 24:5) that when a man marries a new wife, he must not go out to the army, but must be...
Tuesday, January 17, 2012/Tebeth 22, 5772
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We mentioned previously that a man and woman may not live alone together without a valid Kethubbah and if it is...
Monday, January 16, 2012/Tebeth 21, 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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וכאשר יענו אתו כן ירבה וכן יפרץ "The more they torment them, the more they will...
Thursday, January 12, 2012/Tebeth 17, 5772
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A man may not be alone with his wife even for one hour, without a Kethubbah. The reason why it was ordained that a...
Tuesday, January 10, 2012/Tebeth 15, 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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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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"Zebulun will dwell on the shores of the seas" (Bereshith 49:13). Why does it say 'seas' (Yamim) in the plural?...
Thursday, January 5, 2012/Tebeth 10, 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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