Talking Turkey About Shiluach Hakein
I’m sorry if this article about shiluach hakein ruffles people’s feathers, but it’s meant to spark discussion, not to offer psak halacha.
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Mitzvos
Mitzvah Principles
How mitzvos work: intent, adding to the Torah (bal tosif), zrizus and doing a mitzvah through another.
Seizing the Spark: Preserving Inspiration in Halacha and Life
In Maseches Chullin (95a), the Gemara transitions into a discussion regarding the prohibition against nichush (forbidden divination).
Make Your Days Count
It was the second night of Pesach. The congregation had just finished their silent Shemoneh Esrei. The chazzan was about to continue the service. Suddenly, Boruch hurried across the shul toward Shimon.
Tumult Over Tadir
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 Tiff Over Two Tefillin
Many people wear two pairs of tefillin — Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam. The question arises whether one may wear both pairs at the same time. The Shulchan Aruch rules that one may.
Minutes Till Minchah
The very first paragraph in Shulchan Aruch expounding the laws of Minchah raises the following question: “What if there is barely any time left for Minchah?” How appropriate!
Doing the Right Thing
It seems that sitting in the left lane, engine idling while waiting for oncoming traffic to clear so you can make a left-hand turn is wasteful—not only of time and peace of mind but also of gas and therefore money.
The Candles Burning Bright
Last week’s daf article about Rosh Hashana was timed perfectly. This week’s article…not so much. Still, there’s a strong connection. The Kohen Gadol performed all of the Avodah on Yom Kippur, including lighting the…
A More Mehudar Mitzvah
Rav Mordechai Finkelman, mashgiach of Yeshivas Ohr Hachaim, received a generous offer from a friend. The friend offered to build Rav Finkelman a sukkah that would be part of his house.
Peyos Prohibitions
The Rambam uncharacteristically adds a reason to the prohibition against cutting peyos. He says it is because the idol worshippers used to cut off their peyos.
Raising the Steaks: Why the Nasi Bought the Cow
Mazal tov on this final countdown to a joyous simcha – the wedding of a beloved son! With excitement swirling like confetti and preparations in full swing, the ultimate wedding day checklist takes shape: clothing for…
Once in a Blue Moon
The photograph accompanying this text captures a moment in the life of Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt”l. Standing solemnly over the East River, he is not simply admiring the view but is engaged in a spiritual act.
The Bitter Truth
Does Romaine lettuce have anything to do with detergent, stoning, and putting on pants? Lettuce be clear: the Shulchan Aruch says they do.
Lessons Learned from Chur
Chur occupies a significant role in the Chumash. During the war with Amalek, he, along with his uncle Aharon HaKohen, helped hold up Moshe Rabbeinu’s hands, which inspired the B’nei Yisrael to pray.
The Simcha of a Siyum
A mishnah in Ta’anis declares that the most joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar are Yom Kippur and Tu B’Av. The Gemara says that Yom Kippur was joyous because the nation was forgiven for its sins.
Small Talk
Jay Shafer has been living in a house smaller than some people’s closets since 1997. His decision to inhabit just 89 square feet arose from his concerns about the impact a larger house would have on the environment.
Removing a House’s Mezuzos
A renter is obligated to affix a mezuzah just as a homeowner is. However, most Rishonim are of the opinion that a renter’s obligation is only rabbinic.
Of Giving and Receiving
Occasionally, it happens that a child may give someone mishloach manos and not receive anything in return. This may be because the intended recipient isn’t home, or they ran out of mishloach manos, or for some other…
Of Baptisms and Half-Slaves
Wichita Falls, Texas, is home to Sheppard Air Force Base. A Strategic Air Command Operational Wing of B-52 bombers was located there in the ‘60s. The 494th Bomb Wing was located there until 1965.
No Monkeying Around
A rav once complained to the Divrei Yoel, the Satmar Rebbe, zt”l, about an affront to his honor: a child dressed up as a monkey had delivered his mishloach manos.
Saying Amein to Birkas Kohanim
Rabbi Shragga Kallus delivered an enthralling and engaging lecture filled with Torah riddles. One such riddle was: “What are two scenarios where a person would answer ‘amein’ in the middle of his private Shemoneh…
Is Olam Haba for Sale?
A few years ago, a Jewish individual put his portion of Olam Haba, the World to Come, up for auction on eBay. The bidding started in the morning at 99 cents and had jumped to $100,000 by the afternoon.
Hiddur Miss
Daf Yomi learners just finished Masechta Nedarim and started Masechta Nazir. Those who learn Amud Yomi may feel bad that they didn’t cover as much ground and are not finishing yet another masechta.
An Exercise in Futility
The Bayside Canadian Railway is a 200 foot(!) railroad in Bayside, New Brunswick, Canada. The railway was designed to transport fish – frozen pollock, to be precise.
More Than Twenty Percent
The story is told of a man who approached a rabbi. He said to him, “Why are you always so machmir? Every time I ask you a question, the answer is always that it is forbidden.” The rabbi said, “I’m surprised to hear you…
Charity with Uncharitable Intentions
One time, when all of Bnei Yisrael came up on pilgrimage (oleh regel) to Jerusalem, there was no water available for drinking. Nakdimon ben Gurion approached a certain lord and said to him: “Loan me 12 wells of water…
Yibum and Tzitzis
Daf Yomi recently began learning Masechta Yevamos. The Zohar in Parshas Ki Seitzei discusses the paucity of Torah that will exist in the times of Moshiach.
The Simcha of a Siyum
The Mishna at the end of Taanis (26b) quotes Rabban Shimon Ben Gamliel who declares that the most joyous holidays on the Jewish calendar are Yom Kippur and Tu B’Av.
Without Delay
The Gemara (Sukkah 44a) relates an enigmatic episode: A wealthy man approached Rebbe Elazar Bar Tzadok and told him that he owns villages, vineyards, and olive orchards.
Shaking Shailos
Shimshon picks up his lulav and esrog on the first day of Sukkos. However, the pitum is facing the floor. Boruch: Shimshon, your esrog is upside down!
A Sukkah Made Out of Elephants
Commercial sukkos used to be generic and “one size fits all.” Sukkah manufacturers have come a long way. You can now purchase ready-to-assemble designer sukkos.
A Snow-Covered Sukkah
Is this sukkah kosher? The snow is severely weighing down the schach (sukkah ceiling) in the center. One potential issue: Has the sukkah become too cramped?
What Came First?
Boruch: I learned the Daf very well this week, and I can’t really see how it has relevance to practical halacha. Shimon: The Daf doesn’t have to have any practical relevance.
Multiple Mezuzos?
Boruch and Shimon take a day trip to visit some of the quaint bungalow colonies located in the scenic Catskill Mountains. Of course, when newly built, they were a pristine vacation destination.
Mincha Motivation
The Mishna in Yoma (28a) tells of a story that once in the Beis Hamikdash they assumed that it was already considered halachicly daytime. Therefore, they slaughtered the animal designated for the Korban Tamid.
Charoses: Bricks, Straws, and Blood
I always marvel at the plethora of new Pesach products that come out every year. Canned charoses is one that I haven’t seen until this year.
Sensitive Situations
The survival of the donkey would be too great a blow to Bilam’s dignity. The Gemara is replete with examples of the sensitivity we must have even to individuals who may have sinned.
Pesachim 16a: Fueling the Flames of Chanukah
Those who studied the daf this week were forced to challenge their long-rooted understanding of the finer points of the Chanukah miracle.
Mitzvah Mission
R’ Pinchas ben Yair was on his way to fulfill the mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim; he came to the Gina’i River and asked it to split for him so that he could continue traveling.
Lighting the Menorah
In the stores these days, there are myriad varieties of candles and oils to use for Chanukah lights. However, it is clear that the choicest way to fulfill the mitzvah of lighting the menorah is to use olive oil.
A Burning Question
When Chanukah time comes around, I am always reminded of the Beis Yosef’s famous question: Why did the Sages institute eight days of Chanukah to commemorate the miracle that the oil lasted for eight days?
A Mitzvah for Each Footstep
A vexing question that plagues many is how to choose a shul. Some say that the most important aspect of a shul is available parking. After all, if you can’t park there, how can you daven there?
Reach Out and Grab a Mitzvah
The floor of the Beis HaMikdash was composed of beautiful tiles. The Gemara discusses the halachah if one of the tiles became dislodged. May the kohen stand on the wobbly tile and perform the avodah?
Waxing About Oil
It is well-known that there is a hiddur mitzvah to light a Chanukah menorah using olive oil. After all, the miracle of the menorah occurred with olive oil.
Holy Cows
There have been several instances over the past few years of cows running loose through the streets of New York. In fact, a few years ago a cow actually walked past Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah in Queens.
App-ortioned Learning
A frum businessman was returning home from a busy day at work. The seat next to him on the train was empty. A young man who presumably spent the entire day learning at a yeshiva in Manhattan boarded the train at one of…
When The Sky Is Not The Limit
A year ago, I was asked to keep a group of 40 or so youngsters of varying ages busy on yom tov so that their parents could daven. I elected to tell them a story.
Nod If You’re Awake
Is it possible for someone to enjoy his meal in a perfectly kosher sukkah while simultaneously violating the injunction against eating a bread meal outside the sukkah on Sukkos?
Match But Don’t Mix
The Gemara (Yevamos 4a) discusses the Biblical prohibition against wearing a garment that contains a mixture of wool and linen. The Torah states, “Do not wear sha‘atnez” (Devarim 22:11).
Double Trouble
An acquaintance remarked that this year in Judaism is “the year of the cow.” I did not have the faintest idea of what he was talking about until he explained: “This is the year of two udders (Adars).” Since Purim is…
Sowing The Seeds For Mitzvos
The mishnah in the beginning of the seventh perek of Pesachim instructs one who is roasting his Paschal lamb to employ a spit made of pomegranate wood.
Lettuce Discuss Marror
It’s tough to get some kids to eat their veggies. Kids come up with all sorts of excuses. In the Jewish household, kids have an added reason not to eat their salad. “Ma, we eat this as marror!
The Test Of A Nest
A number of years ago, as Pesach approached, my daughter Sara Hindy noticed that there was a bird sitting on a nest in the tree right outside our front window.
Gemara stories on Mitzvah Principles
Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair Splits the Ginai River
On his way to redeem captives, Rabbi Pinchas ben Yair orders the Ginai River to split. The river argues it too does Hashem's will, but finally gives way.
Rav Mordechai Finkelman Wants to Schlepp the Boards
Offered a ready-made sukkah built into his house, Rav Mordechai Finkelman said no: he wanted to build his own sukkah every year, out of love for mitzvos.
Dovid HaMelech Prepares the Beis HaMikdash
Told by Nosson HaNavi that his son would build the Beis HaMikdash, Dovid HaMelech buys the site, gathers materials and even sanctifies the floor.
Moshe Designates the Cities of Refuge
Barred from Eretz Yisrael, Moshe Rabbeinu still sets aside the three cities of refuge east of the Jordan, though they would not take effect in his lifetime.