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.
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Tefillah and Berachos
Shul
The sanctity of the beis knesses and beis midrash and how to behave in them.
Clearing the Air
The following was inspired by a true question posed to the Beis Shlomo. Boruch recently completed Daf Yomi and studied Shavuos 17, where the Gemara considers whether the airspace above the Beis HaMikdash shares its…
To Live By the Sword?
Over the course of more than a thousand years, four separate incidents emerged that all share one striking detail. Because of this common element, various poskim have discussed them together.
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.
Lost in the Shuffle
Roy Pearson, who had been out of work for about three years, was appointed to be an administrative law judge. He had gained weight, and he realized he needed to have his suit pants let out.
Fair and Square
In July 2001, Chief Justice Roy Moore of the Alabama Supreme Court had a massive granite monument – it weighed more than two tons – of the Ten Commandments placed in the Alabama state judicial building.
Walks of Life
Some things just never change. When someone joins a weight loss group, some people ask, “Can’t you just diet by yourself?” When someone sees a nutritionist, some people ask, “Can’t you just eat healthy?” The presumption…
A Kohen and His Colorful Socks
There are many complex halachos about interrupting one’s prayers for various responses. At some points in davening, it is forbidden to respond, “Boruch Hu u’baruch Shmo.” At other points, one cannot even respond amein.
Don’t Talk, Just Daven
After Shacharis in shul, some have the custom to put out “tikkun”: liquor, herring, and cake for breakfast, in memory of a loved one. It is always fascinating to watch people drinking a l’chaim on an empty stomach.
Obviously, Rosh Hashana Falls Out on Rosh Chodesh
A travel company is currently running a marketing campaign with “Captain Obvious” as their spokesman. He utters such phrases as “My enemy’s enemy is my enemy’s enemy.” A researcher was trying to uncover the origins of…
Back to Respect
Twenty-five years ago, there was an established shul that let it be known that they were looking for a new rav. There were many candidates for the one position.
Lots Of Land: Daf 119b in Zevachim
On daf 119b in Zevachim, the Gemara discusses the words “nachalah” and “menuchah” in the verse “For you have not yet come to the resting place (menuchah) or the inheritance (nachalah).” According to one opinion, both…
Getting A Handle On Shul Rules
When Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva was located in Forest Hills, the beis midrash was mostly underground. There were windows, but they were located near the ceiling and had to be opened using a ten-foot pole.
Something In The Air
The following was inspired by a true question posed to the Beis Shlomo. Boruch went to the daf yomi shiur and learned Zevachim 87b. The Gemara questions whether the airspace above the Mizbeiach has the same sanctity as…
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?
Win Or Lose
It seems to me that it was around 25 years ago that the Chinese-auction phenomenon hit the Jewish world. The first question one must ask is: why is it called a Chinese auction?
Yearn To Learn
Rebbe Yehuda HaNasi would temporarily shut down his yeshiva on Purim so that his students could go to a shul and listen to the Megillah.
Doing The Right Thing
It seems that sitting in the left lane, engine idling, 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.
Reaching New Heights
It was widely reported a number of months ago that One World Trade Center, which recently laid claim to the title of New York City’s tallest building, might not become America’s tallest building.
Gemara stories on Shul
Rav Moshe Sternbuch and the Rounded Luchos
A South African congregant objects to his shul's round-topped Luchos. Rav Moshe Sternbuch finds no real problem, but for peace has them squared off.
Rabbi Yochanan and the Widow Who Walked to a Far Shul
Rabbi Yochanan sees a widow davening in his neighborhood and asks why she doesn't use the shul near her home. She answers that there is reward for the extra steps.
Rav Ashi Rebuilds the Shul of Masa Machsya
Rav Ashi spots a crack in the shul of Masa Machsya, tears it down and sleeps in the ruins until a new shul is built taller than every house in town.
Rabbi Yochanan and the Widow's Footsteps
A widow walks past her local shul to daven in Rabbi Yochanan's beis midrash. When he asks why, she answers: is there not reward for each step?