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).
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Emunah and Hashkafah
Segulos
Segulos and protective practices in Chazal, and what to make of them.
The Question of Omens
Some people go to great lengths to find every siman listed in the machzor. One year, my wife asked me to buy black-eyed peas. The supermarket was sold out of the raw beans, but I managed to find canned ones.
Rebbe Meir and the Power of “Eloka d’Meir Aneini”
Rebbe Meir’s wife, Bruriah, had a sister who was kidnapped and held captive. At Bruriah’s urging, Rebbe Meir resolved to rescue her. He reasoned that the captive sister’s righteousness would bring about a miracle to…
Happy Birthday
At the end of elementary school, one young student resolutely decided to stop celebrating birthdays, feeling it was a frivolous custom reserved for little kids, like tagging along with the family to the zoo on Chol…
What’s in a Name?
The Gemara in Bava Basra 91a provides material for some good trivia questions. What was the name of Avraham Avinu’s mother? What was the name of Dovid HaMelech’s mother?
Breaking Point
The Chasam Sofer says that studying Seder Nezikin can save a person from coming to harm, both physical and financial. If someone, chas v’shalom, has a harsh heavenly decree against him, that decree can be fulfilled by…
Sar HaTorah: Rav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l
Klal Yisrael is in a deep state of mourning for the Sar HaTorah, HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, zt”l. HaRav Binyomin Forst, shlit”a, remarked that we are no longer living in the same world.
Glimpse of a Gadol: Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt’l
Klal Yisrael suffered a tremendous loss last week with the passing of Moreinu Rav Dovid Feinstein, zt’l. There will be much written, be’H, about the gadol ha’dor.
Vital Signs
Some people go all out trying to find every last siman listed in the Machzor. One year my wife told me to purchase black-eyed peas. My local supermarket was sold out of the raw beans, but I found the canned ones.
Light Up The Night
If a woman is lighting more than one light for Shabbos, why does she recite “L’hadlik ner shel Shabbos”? Ner is the singular form. Shouldn’t the correct text be l’hadlik neiros?
Chapter And Verse
The best defense students have against being forced to learn is to try to use halacha against their teachers. For example, there is a dispute whether all parts of Torah may be learned on erev Tishah B’Av afternoon or…
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Wine
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.
Cautionary Customs
There are many mysteries surrounding Rebbi Yehuda HaChassid. Questions about his life abound. Even his will has raised many difficulties.
Gemara stories on Segulos
Rabbi Meir Rescues Bruriah's Sister
Rabbi Meir bribes a guard to free his wife Bruriah's captive sister and teaches him to call out "G-d of Meir, answer me," which stops vicious dogs and later saves the guard.
Elisha and King Yoash's Arrows
Elisha has King Yoash shoot arrows and strike the ground as signs of victory over Aram, and is upset when the king strikes the ground only three times.
The Steipler and the Wife Who Changed Her Name
A sick kollel yungerman asks the Steipler for a bracha; learning his wife shares his mother's name, the Steipler has her change it, and he recovers.
The Hat and Jacket That Closed a Deal
Rav Chaim Kanievsky told a businessman to keep wearing a hat and jacket for bentching. At his next restaurant meeting, reaching for his hat won him a fifteen-million-shekel deal.