A Forced Tumah
The Gemara (Zevachim 100a; see also Moed Katan 23a) and its commentators discuss various details of the following account, and some aspects are subject to interpretation.
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Life and Society
Aveilus
Mourning, kevurah and honoring the dead.
A Winning Ticket
Chinese auctions are very popular fundraisers. The first question is why it is called a Chinese auction. Did this type of insanity really begin in China? Doubtful.
The Rights and Wrongs of Writing
In 2010, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin delivered a highly anticipated speech to around 1,100 supporters at a Tea Party Convention. However, she couldn’t get through it without a few notes scrawled on her hand.
Days of Teshuva
Yom Kippur and Purim may seem like two very different holidays, but there is actually a deep connection between them. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a solemn occasion on which we fast and seek forgiveness for our…
Can a Kohen Go to a Tzaddik’s Funeral?
The great Rishon Rabbeinu Chaim HaKohen once remarked that had he already been born when Rabbeinu Tam passed away, he would have become tamei and gone to his funeral.
Still Waters Run Deep
There are over 700 brands of bottled water currently on the market in the United States. Each brand claims to offer the perfect water taste. In ancient times, one would have assumed that there was no choice of water.
A Halacha That’s Clear-Cut
In the eighth volume of the Igros Moshe, there is a fascinating teshuvah written to Rav Efraim Greenblatt, zt”l. This teshuvah, which is the 20th one in the sefer, comprises many varied and disparate topics.
A Matter Of Great Interest
In Pozen, the hometown of the great and revered sage Rabbi Akiva Eiger, zt’l, lived a wealthy Jew. Unfortunately, this Jew had built his fortune largely by lending money to other Jews with interest.
Visitor Rewards
In Parashas Korach, Moshe Rabbeinu announced that the events that were about to unfold would establish clearly whether or not Korach was right in his challenge.
Spreading The News
Rabbi Chiya’s father had a son, Aivu, from a previous marriage of his. Rabbi Chiya’s mother had a daughter, Ima, from a previous marriage of hers.
The Great Leap Forward
As a sign that a leap year is badly needed for the Jewish calendar this year, people point to the fact that the first Chanukah candles will be lit the night before Thanksgiving.
Do Knot Disturb
I had a friend who purchased an air-line ticket using his frequent-flyer miles. Some issue arose and he needed to contact customer service while at the airport.
Gemara stories on Aveilus
Rabbi Chiya, Rabbi Yonasan and the Tzitzis in the Cemetery
Walking through a cemetery, Rabbi Chiya tells Rabbi Yonasan to lift his dragging tzitzis, lest the dead say the living are mocking them.
Rav Aryeh Levin and the Widow's Tears
A grieving widow asks Rav Aryeh Levin if all her tears and Tehillim for her husband were wasted. His answer turns her tears of sorrow into tears of hope.
The Alter of Slabodka Hides a Father's Death
The Alter of Slabodka kept news of young Rav Yaakov Yitzchak Ruderman's father's death from him so he could finish Shas, valuing it above the Kaddish.
Rav Meir Chodosh and the Withheld Telegram
In wartime Yerushalayim, Rav Yechezkel Sarna held back news of Rav Meir Chodosh's father's death for 30 days so the Chevron yeshiva would not lose him.