All Torah Minutes
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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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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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Bones and peels that were peeled or became separated on Yom Tob (a holy day), fall under the category of Nolad (an...
Monday, May 14, 2012/Iyyar 22, 5772
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We mentioned previously that one should not eat in one's garden on Shabbath because of the fear that water...
Friday, May 11, 2012/Iyyar 19, 5772
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that if one inadvertently omitted to say 'Arbith, one has to pray the Shahrith 'Amidah...
Wednesday, May 2, 2012/Iyyar 10, 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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Look at ... where you are going -- a place of dust, worms and maggots (Aboth 3:1). When a person...
Monday, April 30, 2012/Iyyar 8, 5772
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Maran Yosef Qaro, z"l, states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that if one is drunk (and therefore unable to pray the...
Sunday, April 29, 2012/Iyyar 7, 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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Maran, z"l, states in the Shulhan 'Arukh that if one is involved in monetary dealings so that he should not incur...
Sunday, April 22, 2012/Nisan 30, 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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If a person knows for certain that he forgot to count the 'Omer, both at night as well as the entire day, he can...
Sunday, April 15, 2012/Nisan 23, 5772
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When the Children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt, the Torah and Miswoth had not yet been given and the...
Thursday, April 12, 2012/Nisan 20, 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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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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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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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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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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If one inadvertently forgot an object that is Muqseh (Muktzah - that which may not be handled on Shabbath) on top...
Friday, February 17, 2012/Shebat 24, 5772
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One may not sit within four Ammoth (cubits) of someone who is praying the 'Amidah, not in front of him, behind...
Monday, February 13, 2012/Shebat 20, 5772
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The Ben Ish Hai mentions that it is a Miswah (Mitzvah) to lengthen the prayer on Saturday night, because of the...
Friday, February 10, 2012/Shebat 17, 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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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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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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פנה אלי וחנני כי יחיד ועני אני "Turn towards me and be gracious to me because I am alone...
Sunday, January 22, 2012/Tebeth 27, 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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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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It says in Tehillim Ya'ankha: יתן לך כלבבך וכל עצתך ימלא "May He grant you your heart's...
Sunday, January 8, 2012/Tebeth 13, 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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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 Best Day of the Week"
Shabbath is the day of the week most people look forward to. It is a time...
Friday, December 30, 2011/Tebeth 4, 5772
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ויוסף בן שלשים שנה בעמדו לפני פרעה מלך מצרים ויצא יוסף מלפני...
Thursday, December 22, 2011/Kislew 26, 5772
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וישראל אהב את יוסף מכל בניו כי בן זקנים הוא לו "Israel loved Joseph more than...
Thursday, December 15, 2011/Kislew 19, 5772
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When one attaches a Mezuzah onto multiple doors, only one Berakha (blessing) is recited and it covers all the...
Wednesday, December 14, 2011/Kislew 18, 5772
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If one were to attach a Mezuzah to a doorway, and then attach the doorway with the Mezuzah to a building, it is...
Tuesday, December 13, 2011/Kislew 17, 5772
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בא אחיך במרמה ויקח ברכתך "Your brother came with cunning and took your blessing" (Bereshith...
Thursday, November 24, 2011/Heshwan 27, 5772
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The Shulhan 'Arukh mentions that one must wash one's face, hands and feet in hot (warm) water on Friday in...
Friday, November 18, 2011/Heshwan 21, 5772
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Why should I care about others' feelings? What do I have to do with them? Why should I trouble myself for the...
Friday, November 11, 2011/Heshwan 14, 5772
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Washing and Dressing - the Right Order
When one washes one's hands, the right hand should be washed...
Tuesday, November 8, 2011/Heshwan 11, 5772
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After a wedding there are Sheba' Berakhoth after each meal for a period of seven days (in most cases). When the...
Monday, November 7, 2011/Heshwan 10, 5772
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We all want our children to treat us with respect. Honoring one's parents, as we all know, is one of the Ten...
Friday, October 28, 2011/Tashri 30, 5772
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ותשחת הארץ לפני הא' "And the earth was corrupt before G-d" (Bereshith 6:11). Why does it say...
Thursday, October 27, 2011/Tashri 29, 5772
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There are those who say that if a woman's husband is in town (Ba'alah Ba'ir), even though he is not physically...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011/Tashri 27, 5772
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We commonly see people, after they have finished their silent 'Amidah, while waiting for the Hazzan to finish his...
Monday, October 24, 2011/Tashri 26, 5772
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When the Kohanim (priests) go up to the Dukhan (platform) in order to bless the people with the Birkath Kohanim...
Sunday, October 16, 2011/Tashri 18, 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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There is a custom to read the book of Tehillim over the two days of Rosh Hashanah. Hakham Yosef Hayim, 'a"h,...
Monday, September 26, 2011/Elul 27, 5771
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G-d commanded the prophet Jeremiah (Yirmiyahu 18:1-4) to go to a potter's house, where he observed the potter...
Friday, September 23, 2011/Elul 24, 5771
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כי קרוב אליך הדבר מאד בפיך ובלבבך לעשתו "For the word is very near to you,...
Thursday, September 22, 2011/Elul 23, 5771
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The Rama states that it is forbidden to wash one's hands with soap on Shabbath (soap used to be made from animal...
Friday, September 16, 2011/Elul 17, 5771
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This past Monday, the thirteenth of Elul, people across the globe commemorated the 102nd passing of Hakham Yoseph...
Friday, September 16, 2011/Elul 17, 5771
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When a person is going through some kind of suffering, he is permitted to make a Neder (vow). We see this from...
Tuesday, September 6, 2011/Elul 7, 5771
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We mentioned that one should avoid making vows (Nedarim). If someone made a vow in an optional matter (where there...
Monday, September 5, 2011/Elul 6, 5771
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"For it is a sign between Me and you, for your generations"... (Exodus, 31,13). The word "for your generations" in...
Friday, September 2, 2011/Elul 3, 5771
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לא תטה משפט לא תכיר פנים "You shall not pervert judgement" (Debarim 16:19). One of the...
Thursday, September 1, 2011/Elul 2, 5771
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Even though the Torah permits squeezing liquid out of hair on Shabbath, because hair is not an absorbent material,...
Friday, August 26, 2011/Ab 26, 5771
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How does a matron greet a king? She beautifies herself and adorns herself with her royal attire and crown. What...
Friday, August 26, 2011/Ab 26, 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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Any permitted Shabbath labor (Melakha) may be forbidden if it is done as a preparation for after Shabbath....
Friday, August 19, 2011/Ab 19, 5771
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Why is it that a mother teaches her child to say the words "Abba" and "Imma" (Mum and Dad) as her child's first...
Thursday, August 18, 2011/Ab 18, 5771
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Rabban Shim'on Ben Gamliel said there were no happier days in Israel (among the Jewish people) than the fifteenth...
Sunday, August 14, 2011/Ab 14, 5771
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If one's clothes became wet on Shabbath one may walk in them and not be concerned that one may come to wring them...
Friday, August 12, 2011/Ab 12, 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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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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Somehow, when women and speech are mentioned, many people associate these words with a wide selection of jokes....
Friday, August 5, 2011/Ab 5, 5771
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ראה נתתי לפניכם את הארץ באו ורשו את הארץ... לתת להם ולזרעם...
Thursday, August 4, 2011/Ab 4, 5771
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As is well known, from Rosh Hodesh Ab till after Tish'ah BeAb, the custom amongst all Jews is not to eat meat and...
Sunday, July 31, 2011/Tammuz 29, 5771
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Opening Pistachios on Shabbath
Borer (separating something that one does not want from items that one...
Friday, July 22, 2011/Tammuz 20, 5771
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Umbrellas and parasols are very much part of everyday life to protect us from the rain as well as the sun. Their...
Friday, July 15, 2011/Tammuz 13, 5771
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One of the most well known phrases in Parashath Balaq is "How goodly are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places...
Friday, July 8, 2011/Tammuz 6, 5771
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One may not eat a large meal or banquet during the day on Friday, of the type that one does not ordinarily eat on...
Friday, July 8, 2011/Tammuz 6, 5771
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The Qaddish that is said just before 'Aleinu Leshabbeyah (or right after 'Aleinu in the Askhenazi Nusah) is...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011/Tammuz 4, 5771
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One is forbidden from stealing even the smallest amount from anyone, Jew or non Jew. If, however, the amount of...
Tuesday, July 5, 2011/Tammuz 3, 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 are many who say that since the Zohar is difficult to understand they do not learn it. Rabbenu the Hida,...
Sunday, June 26, 2011/Siwan 24, 5771
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ויקח קרח "And Qorah took" (Bamidbar 16:1). What did Qorah take? In the Gemara of Sanhedrin (109b) it states...
Thursday, June 23, 2011/Siwan 21, 5771
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Looking further at the laws of Ribbith (interest/usury), let us consider the following scenario. A Jewish...
Wednesday, June 22, 2011/Siwan 20, 5771
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The laws of Ribbith (interest/usury) are numerous and complicated. These Halakhoth are being provided to make us...
Tuesday, June 21, 2011/Siwan 19, 5771
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Let us look at a case of a Jewish individual who sells an item to another Jew but does not require immediate...
Monday, June 20, 2011/Siwan 18, 5771
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The Shulhan 'Arukh states that women are obligated in Habdalah in the same way that they are obligated in Qiddush,...
Friday, June 17, 2011/Siwan 15, 5771
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שלח לך אנשים ויתרו את ארץ כנען אשר אני נתן לבני ישראל "Send men to spy...
Thursday, June 16, 2011/Siwan 14, 5771
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The Rama states in his gloss on the Shulhan 'Arukh that from when one recites the Shema' before going to sleep at...
Sunday, June 12, 2011/Siwan 10, 5771
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וכל תרומה לכל קדשי בני ישראל אשר יקריבו לכהן לו יהיה, "And all Terumah...
Thursday, June 2, 2011/Iyyar 29, 5771
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We mentioned on a previous occasion that there is a difference of opinion whether a woman should say the Berakha...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011/Iyyar 27, 5771
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