This week’s article discusses the issue of using different languages for purposes of Keriyas Shema and for prayer in general. When can English, or other languages, be used? Is it preferable to use Hebrew without understanding, or a different language that one understands? Can foreign languages be used even in places where they are not the spoken tongue? These, and other questions, are discussed in this week’s article.
Category: Orach Chaim
Lag B’omer
Lag B’omer is a day of rejoicing (see Rama Orach Chaim 493:2). Depending on the various minhagim, the mourning customs of sefirah either conclude or are put on hold for a day, tachanun is omitted, and for those who can, being in Meiron – the burial place of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai – is an unforgettable experience. Let us now discuss some of the background and minhagim of this most interesting holiday.
Adar and Purim
“משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה” Purim is a festival of joy, of simcha, a holiday full of faith in Hashem. In Adar, we are commanded to rejoice even more than usual. for the upcoming Adar and Purim, We collected for you articles related to the… Read more »
Davening on the Go
For most people, when one has a routine, things are easy. He knows what he has to do, when he should do it and how to go about it. When… Read more »
Purchasing the Four Species
n the present days many we are all occupied, to varying degrees, with the search for the Four Species. However, finding kosher or mehudar Species is not the end of the story. The Torah requires us to gain a full ownership of the Species–a feat not necessarily as simple as it sounds. This week we discuss the possible pitfalls in buying and paying for the Four Species, and the methods by which the full transfer of ownership can be ensured. May checks be used as payment? What about credit cards? And why is it so important to pay on time? These questions, and more, are dealt with in this week’s article.
Yom Kippur: The Secret of our Viduy
This week’s article discusses the mitzvah of teshuvah, and in particular the recitation of viduy. In the halachic part of the article we will clarify how viduy is an integral and essential part of the teshuvah process. The second part of the article is dedicated to exploring why viduy is so central to teshuvah, and to finding an approach to the many (ten) orders of viduy recited over Yom Kippur.
Make it Last: The Importance of “Small Acceptances”
R’ Yisrael’s Small Acceptances Reading through the letters of R’ Yisrael Salanter, it is remarkable to note the importance their great author affords the matter of making a “small acceptance”… Read more »
Laws of Zimun: Who Joins and Who Leads?
In this week’s article we turn our attention to questions of “who joins?” and “who leads?” the zimun ceremony. Who should be the one chosen to perform the ceremony? Who is considered the ba’al ha-bayis, and what rights does he have in selecting the mezamen? Can women and children form part of a zimun group, and what is the halachah of women eating on their own? These questions, and more, are elucidated in this week’s article.
A Time to Cry, A Time to Laugh
Therefore I Laugh Maseches Makkos concludes (24b) with the famous anecdote of Rabbi Akiva and three of his peers as they beheld the destruction of Jerusalem. Upon reaching the Temple… Read more »
Zecher LeMachatzis HaShekel
Halachah Talk Zecher LeMachatzis HaShekel The minhag of giving coins in remembrance of the machatzis hashekel given during the time of the Beis Hamikdash is a very ancient and cherished… Read more »
Halachos of Making a Menorah
ParashasTerumah discusses making the vessels for the Mishkan – among them the Menorah.
The Gemara in three places (Rosh Hashanah 24a; Avodah 43a; Menachos 28b) establishes a prohibition of forming vessels that imitate the vessels of the Mikdash – including the Menorah. Specifically, the Gemara states that it is forbidden to form a Menorah of seven branches – but it is permitted to form a Menorah of five, six, or eight branches.
In the present article we will discuss this prohibition and its details. How is the prohibition defined and what is its severity? Is the prohibition restricted to making a seven-branched Menorah, or is it also forbidden to keep and use one? What changes can be made to permit the Menorah?
These questions, among others, are discussed below.
The Rosh Hashanah Partnership
Towards Rosh Hashanah, this week we will discuss the question of the name “Rosh Hashanah.” Unlike other festivals, the title “Rosh Hashanah”, which appears in the Mishnah and writings of Chazal, is not derived from Torah verses–in which we find the names “Yom Teru’ah” and “Yom Hazikaron.” What caused Chazal to “change the name” of this day? And how does this name change reflect on our avodah of the day, on the prayer service, and on the blowing of the shofar? These questions, and more, are discussed in the article.
The Prohibition of Kitniyos on Pesach
The most prominent aspect of the upcoming Pesach festival is without a doubt the dietary restrictions. Throughout Pesach we replace bread with matzah and avoid all leavened products, turning our kitchen into quite something else. The lettuce leaves, horseradish, saltwater dips, and fascinating sandwiches of Seder Night also deserve a mention.
Another important culinary aspect of Pesach is the issue of kitniyos, legumes. Although there is no mention of the issue in the Torah, in the Mishnah or in the Gemara, the custom for Jews of Ashkenazi descent is to refrain from eating legumes of all kinds during Pesach. The question of what constitutes a legume for the purpose of this halachah, and how far the restriction goes, is therefore of great importance for Pesach cooking.
In the present article we will discuss the halachos pertaining to the issue of kitniyos, and seek to understand the reasons behind the custom, its halachic severity, and the extent of its application. Is quinoa included in the prohibition? Why is it permitted to eat potatoes on Pesach (Imagine life without them!)? Must separate dishes be used for those who must eat kitniyos on Pesach?
Part I: “We Were Slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt”
הרב יגן How Did We Get Into Egypt? Avraham’s Question On Pesach, everyone speaks about being taken out of Egypt. But my question is: What got us into Egypt in… Read more »
Purim: Days of Feasting and Joy
In this article we will discuss the mitzvah of the Purim feast, and the general joy of Purim: When during the day of Purim should the feast be held? Is there an obligation of eating meat during the meal, and should it begin with bread? How does the mitzvah of the feast integrate with the day’s general obligation of joy? These, and other topical questions, are discussed in the present article.
Drinking on Purim
As the days of Purim approach, we will this week discuss a mitzvah act that on the one hand gives Purim much of its unique festival character, and on the other is liable to cause us – both as performers of the mitzvah, and as parents of children who wish to perform it – no small headache.
The primary Talmudic source related to drinking on Purim is a Gemara in Megillah (7b): “Rava said: a person must get drunk on Purim until he cannot distinguish between ‘cursed be Haman’ and ‘blessed be Mordechai’.”
The basic idea of drinking on Purim emerges moreover from the Megillah itself, which states that the days of Purim were enacted for mishteh – a word that specifically implies (by contrast with a regular se’udah) a wine-feast (as the original misheh of Achashverosh with which the tale of Esther begins).
The mitzvah of drinking to the point of inebriation raises a number of questions. What is the level of drunkenness that must be reached? Is it really possible that a Jew will be unable to distinguish between the curse of Haman and the blessing of Mordechai? When is there an obligation to drink – should one be drinking during the entire day? Must one drink wine, or can one drink any alcoholic beverage?
These questions, and more, are discussed below
Lechem Mishneh: The Double Bread of Shabbos
This article discusses the issue of lechem mishneh, the double-portion of bread that opens our Shabbos meals (commemorating the manna of the wilderness). Is lechem mishneh a full obligation? Are women obligated? Are complete loaves of bread required? Is lechem mishneh required even for cakes and pastries? These questions, and others, are discussed below.
The True Esrog: The Halachic Matter of Grafted Esrogim
The Torah teaches us: “And on the first day you shall take for yourselves the fruit of a beautiful tree… and you shall rejoice with it before Hashem your G-d seven… Read more »
Rabbi Reisman – Shemini Atzeres – 5770
Which Parsha is Lained in Eretz Yisrael like any other Parsha on Shabbos, however, in Chutz La’aretz it is not? V’zois Hab’racha. This year since Shmini Atzeres falls on Shabbos… Read more »
Rabbi Reisman – Sukkos 5772
Rabbi Reisman – Sukkos 5772 Chag Simchaseinu is not a time just to be happy but it is a time to be Misameiach with the Mitzvas Hashem. To perform… Read more »
Laws of Asking Forgiveness on Yom Kippur Eve
It is absolutely imperative that one receive forgiveness for sins committed against other people. Even if one is full of remorse, the day of Yom Kippur will not bring atonement for such si
Community Service the Torah Way
The following anecdote was recently related by a guest at my Shabbos table.
A young man was driving on a moto
The Halachic Principles of Tircha De-Tzibura
This week’s article addresses the issue of tircha de-tzibura, burdening the public. What is the halachic definition of this concept? Does it involve an actual prohibition, or is it only a virtue and a worthy practice? When it is forbidden to burden the public, and when might it be permitted? These questions, and more, are addressed in this week’s article.
Shavuos – The Dairy – Meat Combination
The present article addresses the custom of eating dairy foods on Shavuos, a custom that is. What is the relationship between the two obligations? What are the requirements of the respective mitzvos? Which parts of Torah take precedence? These, and more questions, are discussed in the article below.
Pesach Sheini
Pesach is already a distant memory. Lag Ba’omer and the beginning of the post-sefirah wedding season are almost upon us. However, before we get to that, we first have an almost unnoticed date on the Jewish calendar – the fourteenth of Iyar, otherwise known as Pesach Sheini. Let us examine this holiday and some of its unique minhagim.
The Minhag of Gebrokts
Probably the most often-asked Pesach related question is: “Do you eat gebrokts?” “Gebrokts” is the German or Yiddish term referring to something “broken apart” – in this case, matzah. (In… Read more »
Children and the Mitzvos of Purim
Halacha Talk Children and the Mitzvos of Purim In general, the halacha is that although girls below the age of twelve and boys below the age of thirteen are exempt… Read more »
Washing Hands for Tefillah
Halacha Talk Washing Hands for Tefillah In this week’s parsha, we finally come to the culmination of the Bnei Yisroel’s efforts in providing a residence for the Shechinah in this… Read more »
Shabbos Shirah
Shabbos Parshas Beshalach is called Shabbos Shirah – the Shabbos of the Song. This refers to the Shiras HaYam, the song of thanks that the Jewish nation sang to Hashem after crossing through the Red Sea on dry land and seeing their enemies drown. The name Shabbos Shirah appears in the Rishonim (Sefer HaMinhagim [Tyrnau], s.v., Shevat; Sefer Maharil, Hilchos Teves-Shevat-Adar, #7).
Cleaning Up Your Act on Shabbos
The Shabbos meal is over and now it is time to get to work. The table has to be cleared and the dishes washed. What is permissible to do on Shabbos and what is not? Let us review some of the relevant halachos.
Shabbos – She’hiya – Leaving Food on a Fire from before Shabbos
Introduction One of the Rabbinic prohibitions connected to the melacha of bishul (cooking) is the prohibition of Shehiya, leaving uncooked or partially cooked food on an open flame from before… Read more »
Kiddush on Beverages Other Than Wine
This week’s article we discuss the issue of Kiddush, and in particular the question of which beverages can be used for Kiddush. When is it permitted to make Kiddush on beer, and other beverages? Can whisky be used for Kiddush, and how much needs to be drunk? Can one make Kiddush on bread? These questions, and more, are discussed below.
Pikuach Nefesh on Shabbos
Halacha Talk Pikuach Nefesh on Shabbos One of the basic foundations of halacha is that saving a life supercedes every mitzvah in the Torah, with the exception of forbidden relationships,… Read more »
Articles for Sukkos
just before the holiday, we’ve gathered some articles for you about Sukkot: Rabbi Reisman – Parshas B’reishis 5769 – Is the fact that the sun rises make it day (a… Read more »
Articles on Elul Rosh-Hashanah and Yom-Kippur
Elul Elul Rosh-Hashanah The-Rosh-Hashanah-Partnership The-Importance-Of-Small-Acceptances Yom-Kippur Yom-Kippur
Eating on the Go
With the start of the summer season, I found it apropos in my last article to discuss the halachos of tefilas haderech. Keeping with that theme, it is worthwhile to… Read more »
The Exotic Traveler
In my last article (“Davening on the Go,” Parshas Baha’aloscha), I discussed many halachos of davening that are relevant for one who is traveling. At the end of that article,… Read more »
Tefilas Haderech
On Shabbos Parshas Baha’aloscha we read how the Bnei Yisrael set up their camp and how they traveled in the desert. The intention was that in this formation, they would… Read more »
When Yom Tov Occurs on Motzai Shabbos
Question #1: Is it permitted to do any Yom Tov preparations on Shabbos? Question #2: How does one fulfill the obligation of Seudah Shlishis on Shabbos which is also Erev… Read more »
Shavuos Musings
The prevalent custom in most Jewish communities is to remain awake the entire night of Shavuos learning Torah, eagerly anticipating the upcoming acceptance of Torah on Shavuos morning. Magen Avrohom,… Read more »
Laws and Customs of Shavuos
PDF view/download Food and Drink on Shavuos 1. Just as it is a mitzvah to honor Shabbos, so one must honor all festivals with culinary delights and treats. This is… Read more »
Emor – (There Ain’t Nothin’) Holier Than Thou
וספרתם לכם ממחרת השבת מיום הביאכם את עמר התנופה שבע שבתות תמימות תהיינה You shall count for yourselves from the morrow of the rest day, from the day you bring… Read more »
Why Don’t We Bless on the Story of Yetzias Mitzrayim?
As we prepare for Shabbos Pesach for the Kedusha of Pesach and with the hope that we will have the sense of Pesach. Let me share with you a few… Read more »
The Prohibition of Chodosh
Halacha Talk The Prohibition of Chodosh The Zohar says, “Everything is dependent on mazal, even a sefer Torah in the Sanctuary” (Idra Rabbah, Naso, pg. 134a). In other words, just… Read more »
The Korban Pesach
Halacha Talk The Korban Pesach “Good evening, Rabbi. Sorry to bother you during this busy season. Can I discuss something with you?” “By all means, Reb Chaim. How can I… Read more »
Customs (minhagey) of the Month of Nissan
Halacha Talk Minhagei Nissan Nissan – the month of redemption. Pesach, searching for chometz, leil haseder, matzah, maror, the four cups of wine. So much going on in one month!… Read more »
Purim – Matanos La’Evyonim – Gifts to the Poor
“ומשלוח מנות איש לרעהו ומתנות לאביונים” The Jewish people is known as a people who makes a point of helping others, charity, money and food to the poor. We have Two special mitzvot on Purim, mishloach manos and gifts to the poor. Before… Read more »
Tu Bishvat – More Than a Matter of Fruit
Unlike Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot, Tu Bishvat is not a Torah festival. And unlike Hanukkah and Purim, it is not even a rabbinic festival. However, as will be explained below,… Read more »
