Tefillah and Berachos
Sanctifying Shabbos and Yom Tov over wine, and separating them from the week.
A bochur sat down for his festive Yom Tov night meal in the sukkah. He enjoyed a hearty seudah, sang some zemiros, and then bensched. Immediately afterward, he spoke with his rebbi.
Shehechiyanu and kiddush on Yom Tov are a beautiful pair. However, we must remember that the second days of Pesach present a unique exception: they are the only nights of yom tov on which Kiddush is recited without…
Shimon and Boruch had just closed their Gemaras after finishing the daf. Boruch leaned back with a grin. “Wow,” he said. “Today’s daf was incredible. We just learned tadir v’she’eino tadir, tadir kodem in Zevachim 89.
The Daf this week touched on the practice of covering the challah before the Shabbos meal (Pesachim 100a-b). Three reasons are offered for this practice. Tosfos cites two of them. The first is from Rav Achai Gaon.
The common practice, particularly in Litvishe communities, is to recite kiddush exclusively over wine or grape juice. However, a differing custom is observed among many Chassidic circles, where kiddush is recited over…
A kosher bottle of wine was sold with a label that stated in Hebrew “Lo Mevushal” (not cooked). However, in English, it stated “Mevushal” (cooked). How can wine be both mevushal and non-mevushal simultaneously?
In 1848, a cholera epidemic swept through Eastern Europe, including the Jewish communities of Lithuania. The disease was swift and deadly, and its effects were especially devastating in crowded and impoverished areas.
As the days become longer, the time for havdala comes later and later. This is a problem for young children. The Mishna Berura says that once a child understands what Shabbos is, he should be trained to hear havdala.
The pasuk says (Bereishis 18:3), “And he [Avraham Avinu] said: ‘My master, if I found favor in your eyes, please pass not away from your servant.’” Rashi on Shavuos says that the simple explanation of “My master” is…
Boruch: Shimshon, do you want to study the daf with me? Shimshon: I’m sorry, I’m studying for a test on the laws of Shehechiyanu on Sukkos. Boruch: A test on the bracha of Shehechiyanu on Sukkos?!? What’s there to study?
A nice Chanukah present might be the FlashTorch. It’s billed as the world’s brightest flashlight, sporting 4,100 lumens of power. Interestingly, it comes with a safety switch.
This article is in the zechus of a refuah sheleimah for Minna Chana bas Sara Feigeh. The Daf (Menachos 58a) discusses the prohibition of mixing honey into offerings that were brought in the Beis HaMikdash.
Being of Litvish stock, I always insist on making Kiddush on grape juice or wine. However, occasionally I attend a Kiddush where wine and grape juice are hard to come by.
A kosher bottle of wine is being sold with a label that states in Hebrew “Lo Mevushal.” However, in English it states “Mevushal” (see accompanying photo). How can wine be both mevushal and non-mevushal simultaneously?
There is a widespread custom mentioned by the Rema (296:1) to spill some wine by Havdalah as a good omen for blessing. However, this custom has many poskim seeing red.
There is a widespread custom that men stay up the entire Shavuos night and learn Torah. Of course the entire night really isn’t that long.
To publicize that turning on a lightbulb on Shabbos is lighting a fire, Rav Chaim Ozer Grodzinski ruled that an incandescent bulb may be used for Havdalah.
