Ask the rabbi: can I use a hand-held fan on shabbat?

"My 4 Sons" Rav Kook on the Pesach Haggada

Much has been said on the 4 sons of the Haggada, but as always, Rav Kook has an innovative take on this. The class begins with a short chiddush on the Haggada of the ideologue Prof. Amnon Shapira of the religious kibbutz Tirat Tzvi, who's funeral was right before the class, where he explains that questions are so central to the Haggada, because a slave cannot ask questions. In fact, the Exodus which we celebrate was the turning point of mankind, in terms of freedom, free will, questioning, rational thought, and really all of modern thought.

What are the special prayers of Pesach?

Mechirat Chametz and Tevillat Keilim

The Pursuit of Joy

True Modesty

There is a heated debate about physical or financial modesty. But it overshadows a more important discussion—what is modesty?

The Bracha on Blossoming Trees

May I recite birkas ilanos when I see only one blossoming tree? Must it be a fruit-bearing tree? Must I recite this bracha in the month of Nissan? I live in Australia!

Violence and the Sacred

What is the reason for giving animal sacrifices? And what does this have to do with Noah, Kain & Abel?

Redemption From Egypt to Redemption Today

The prophets of Israel have clearly told us that our redemption is a certainty and will occur. How this will happen was never spelled out for us in detail.

What Is the Significance of the Number 40 in Jewish Tradition?

4. The Three Oaths

Chapter 4: Yom Ha-atzma’ut

The verse states: “I adjure you, O maidens of Jerusalem, by gazelles or by hinds of the field: Do not wake or rouse love until it please!” ). The Sages explain that God administered three oaths: two to Israel – not to ascend to their land forcefully all together and not to rebel against the nations – and one to the gentiles – not to subjugate the Jews excessively.

5. Weddings and Engagements during the Omer Period

Chapter 3: Customs of Mourning during the Omer Period

Now that we have discussed the duration of the mourning period, we will outline the laws of the various customs in detail

The Heter Mechirah Controversy

What is heter mechirah? Is this any different from selling one’s Chometz for Pesach?

Erev Pesach on Shabbos Guide

This year, the first day of Pesach falls on Sunday, which means that Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos. This changes many Pesach observances. Below is a simplified guide to the practices of Erev Pesach that falls on Shabbos.

The Important Lesson of Pesach

Our entire fulfillment of the commandment of eating matzoh on Pesach is to reinforce our innate sense of belief and faith in the future and in our ability to realize our individual and national potential. Belief eventually leads to action and action leads to redemption.

Be Thyself

The Seudah of a Bris

Interesting Chol Hamoed Questions

The Origins of a Siyum?

Traveling for Pesach

Siyum for Taanit Bechorot Via Live Streaming

On Erev Pesach, I will be in a small Jewish community that will not have a siyum. Is it permitted for me – a bechor – to break the ta’anit bechorot based on a siyum in which I “participate” via Skype?

Crossing the Sea

Tefillin Retzuos, Maintenance, and Purchasing Instructions

The Birth of Hope

Bechukotai 5779

Bechukotai 5779

What Is the Brocha?

Three Stages of Creation

Bereishit 5779

Bereishit 5779

What do we do when Pesach falls on Shabbat?

May I Enter the Room that I Sold to the Non-Jew?

Understanding the Prohibition of Avodah Zarah

Zera Yisrael

We have been dealing, over the last few weeks, with ideas to help integrate olim from the Former Soviet Union into Israeli society as full Jews. A group with a real obstacle is children of Jewish fathers and non-Jewish mothers. They are, of course, not Jewish unless they undergo conversion. Yet, it is our opinion that we should not look at them as if they have, in the meantime, no connection to the Jewish People. The great majority were treated as Jews in the Soviet Union, where a citizen’s nationality is determined by his father, not his mother. As a result, they suffered from anti-Semitism. How shocked were many, upon arriving in Israel, to find out that halacha does not view them as Jewish and that they cannot get married here?

Double Wrapping Food in a Treif Oven

I know that sometimes when warming something in a not kosher oven or a milchig food in a fleishig oven, he double wraps the food. When is this necessary and why?

Eating before Feeding your Animals

Non-Leather Footwear on Yom Kippur

Tefillin in Pre-Dawn Hours

work at a hospital and, some days, I am unable to wear tefillin during the day, but only pre-dawn. May I then put on tefillin before its regular time? [Our staff knows the querier.]

Halacha Review: When Pesach Begins on Shabbat

Roasted Foods on Pesach

Is it permissible to eat roasted food at the seder, and if not, what is included?

Introduction and Biography of the Noda B’Yehuda

After an extended period of presenting ideas of the Chatam Sofer on monetary disputes, we move on to a shorter series on the works of Rav Yechezkel Segal Landau, often called the Noda B’yehuda. (Although Rav Landau served as a dayan for many years, poskim do not usually publicize their rulings on cases in which they served as a dayan, but on questions asked by other rabbis. The Noda B’yehuda did not include many such cases in his reponsa.) Many view the Chatam Sofer and the Noda B’Yehuda as two of a kind. They were in the same basic time period (Rav Landau was around 50 years older), they were important rabbis of important communities at critical times, and the works of each are among the most respected and quoted by Acharonim.

Rav Tzvi Pesach Frank

Magid – Beginning the Hagada

Chapter Sixteen-Part Six

Chapter Sixteen-Part Six

The Wine Laws

Chapter Sixteen-Part Two

Chapter Sixteen-Part Two

Koshering the Kitchen-Part Two

Chapter Eleven-Part Two

Warming Trays (Shabbat “Plata”s) Microwave Ovens Dishwashers The Dining Table The Refrigerator and Kitchen Cabinets Pots, Skillets, Silverware, and (Non-Earthenware) Bowls Blenders and Mixers

Koshering the Kitchen-Part One

Chapter Eleven-Part One

Countertops The Sink Grates, Burners, and Stovetops Ovens

Hagala in Practice

Chapter Ten-Part Four

Chapter Ten-Part Four

The Principles of Hagalat Kelim

Chapter Ten-Part One

Chapter Ten-Part One

The Kitnyot Custom

Chapter Nine-Part One

Chapter Nine-Part One

Matza Ashira and Matza Sheruya

Chapter Eight-Part One

Chapter Eight-Part One

When the Prohibitions of Eating and Benefiting from Chametz Begin

Chapter Three-Part Three

Chapter Three-Part Three

This is the way we wash our hands

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Nefillat Apayim and the Prayers of Supplication

Chapter Twenty One-Part One

Chapter Twenty One-Part One

The Laws of Reciting Shema

Chapter Fifteen-Part Four

Chapter Fifteen-Part Four

The Nusach of the prayer

Chapter six-part one

Chapter six-part one

Preparations for Prayer

Chapter five-part one

Chapter five-part one

The chazan

Chapter four-part one

who should be a chazan? there is such a thing "proper chazan"?

The Why’s and Whey’s of Gevinas Akum

The Spectrum of Muktzah Utensils

Pesach, A Love Story

Soaps and Cosmetics Kosher for Passover? (And a review of Pesach laws)

How to manage the cosmetics and medicines issue on Passover.

Preparation for a Shabbat Evening Seder

Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Introduction)

The Desecration of God and the Torah

How Binding is Minhag?

Should a person continue praying in the traditional style of his fathers’, or can he change? Educate children about the importance of marriage, and don’t stress the problems.

Successful Marriage at a Young Age

There are cogent reasons for not putting off marriage past the early twenties.

At What Age Should One Marry in Our Times

Torah studies and acquiring a profession take longer, so how does this affect the obligation to get married by a certain age? What about postponing having a family after marriage?

Lighting a Candle When the Ner Tamid Is Out?

Rabbi Goren and the Temple Mount

The controversy with the Wakf is a nationalistic issue, but there is also an halakhic issue on which rabbis disagree. The late Chief Rabbi Goren tried to arrange a mass prayer on the Mount in 1967 and was stopped by the government.

Fasting and Feasting on a Yahrzeit

“My father’s yahrzeit falls during the week of sheva brachos for my grandson. May I attend the sheva brachos?” "My yahrzeit falls on Shabbos this year. Do I fast on Friday or Sunday instead?" "I usually fast on my father’s yahrzeit, but someone is honoring me with sandaka’us on that day. Do I fast, and do I need to be matir neder in the event that it is permitted to eat?"

Halakha on Abortion of Fetuses with Severe Abormalities

A fetus is considered a living entity in regards to certain laws, but there is no penalty of death for taking its life. What do the rabbinical decisors say?

The Special Mitzvah of Reciting Hallel

Prayer for Redemption and Blessings for Mashiach

Special prayer to hasten our final redemption attributed to the Ramchal. Which blessings will we say when the Messiah comes?

Keeping Kosher - Eating Out

Returning a Lost Item

Mizmor Lesodah and Pesach

Why is Mizmor Lesodah not recited on specific occasions? Must we stand while reciting it? Some background and halachos regarding Psalm 100.

The Splitting Of The Song

This Is the Way We Salt Our Meat

The laws of Kashering meat, why the chicken is split, and the connection to the Korbanos.

Folding Over a Page in a Book

Is It Time For Maariv?

When is the correct time to daven maariv? Why is there no repetition of shmoneh esrei for maariv? Must women daven maariv? The chiyuv to daven, Plag HaMincha, and the dispute regarding the correct time to daven maariv.

Losing Tinok Shenishba Status

It’s About Time - Bein Hashemashos

About Bein Hashmashot, the impact on important mitzvot, how will it affect the time of the bris? Dovening Minha, Shabbat, Rosh Hashana, the Gra and Rabbeinu Tam.

Milk Spoon in a Meat Sink or Dishwasher

Kashrut in a Nutshell

The Halacha of meaty, dairy and parve cutlery washed together in the sink or dish washer, with hot or cold water.

Birkat Hamazon

Bnei Noach and Korbanos

Can a Gentile bring a sacrifice to Hashem

Can a Gentile bring a sacrifice to Hashem? Is it considered idolatry? What about burning incense or Islam?

Laws of the Etrog

How to choose an Etrog

How to choose a Kosher Etrog? A few Halachot brought in a short and clear way.

Washing One’s Face on Yom Kippur

The Laws of Yom Tov

A summary of the general laws of Yom Tov: Cooking, preparing food, showering and Eruv Tavshilin.

Showering on Shabbat

May someone soak an infected toe in hot water on Shabbos? May I take a quick dip in the pool on a Shabbos when it is 105 degrees in the shade? Is bathing on Shabbos permitted to alleviate a minor skin condition?

Sheva Brachos at the Seder

What happens when there is a Sheva Brachot at the Seder? On which cup do we say the Brachot?

Preparing Food on Yom Tov

Although most melachos are forbidden on Yom Tov, cooking and most other food preparation are permitted. Nevertheless, some types of food preparation are prohibited on Yom Tov. What is allowed, what is forbidden and what is the difference between these actions?

Writing on Shabbat

May I write my initials on a frosty window on Shabbos?, May I communicate with someone on Shabbos by making the motions of writing the letters?

Double Parashiyot

When is it a good idea to have doubles?

In most calendar years, our policy is to have several weeks when we read a double parsha so that we are able to complete the Torah every year and make a Siyum HaTorah on Simchas Torah. Why and when does this happen?

Using a Hand Masher for Cooked Vegetables

Playing Scrabble on Shabbos

Writing is counted among the melachos prohibited on Shabbos. Permanent writing is prohibited min haTorah, while temporary writing is prohibited only miderabbanan. Bringing together two complete letters does not constitute writing.

Hamapil for Those Who Take a Long Time to Fall Asleep

Frequent Questions about Mitzvat Yishuv Eretz Yisrael

The issue of whether Mitzvat Yishuv Eretz Yisrael is one of the 613 mitzvot is just about the most irrelevent of all the so important aspects of Eretz Yisrael. This shiur explains the shotot of the Megilat Esther, R. Chaim in Tosafot, and R. Moshe Feinstein.

Shemoneh Esrei With the Chazan?

A Layman's Guide to some Halachic Aspects

What do I need to bring to a wedding? Who escorts the bride and groom down the isle? Finally, a short step by step birds eye view of the Jewish wedding.

Covering for Food on the Hot Plate

Can We Offer the Korban Pesach Without the Beis HaMikdash?

Rav Tzvi Hersh Kalisher, the rav of Thorn, Germany, who had studied as a youth in the yeshivos of Rabbi Akiva Eiger and the Nesivos HaMishpat (Rav Yaakov of Lisa), published a sefer advocating bringing korbanos in the location where the Beis HaMikdash once stood in Yerushalayim. Rav Kalisher considered it not only permissible to offer korbanos before the Beis HaMikdash is rebuilt, but even obligatory.

Does a Shofar need a Hechsher?

An in-depth review of what makes a Shofar kosher and how to buy the right one.

seudat hodaya

The Great Cottage Cheese Controversy

My friend Yaakov* often travels in places where there are no kosher products available, and he has amassed a list of items that he can eat and drink wherever he finds himself. He told me that someone once told him that when traveling he may eat cottage cheese without any hechsher. What is the rationale for this psak?

Vayikra Question

How Do We Make Kosher Wine?

The laws of Kosher wine, Yayin Nesech, Stam Yeynam and wine made or touched by a non Jew.

Crock pot use on Shabbat

Grave Issues about Graven Images

Is it prohibited to look at articles that merely represent the actual idol, even though they are not themselves worshipped (icons), or is the prohibition limited to idols that are themselves worshipped?

Does Mrs. Cohen Go to the Head of the Line?

Whom do we need to give kavod?

You are waiting patiently in the checkout line at “The Kosher Grocer,” together with three other women -- the Rebbitzen of your shul, the widowed Rebbitzen of a famous Rosh Yeshiva, and Mrs. Cohen, who is the wife of a kohen at your shul. Do you have a mitzvah or a requirement to step aside and allow either of the Rebbitzens or the kohen’s wife to go first?

How Do We Sell our Chometz?

Did you take into account your time-zone when you sold tour chametz? Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff takes us through the ropes of Mechirat Chametz from a to z.

What Bracha Do I Make Before Smelling the Shavuos Flowers?

My husband brought me beautiful roses for Shavuos. Should I make a bracha before smelling them? I have noticed that sometimes there is no noticeable fragrance.

Why Do Children Start With Vayikra?

Flavor and Fragrance - The Bracha on Fragrant Fruits

Do you know what Halacha says about smelling fruit? An indepth Halachic look.

A FAMILY FIGHT

The Torah’s Instructions to Non-Jews—The Laws of Bnei Noach

The 7 Noahide Laws, Non-Jews and everything in between.

Does an Elevator Require a Mezuzah?

An 'elevating' Halachic debate on the laws of Mezuza

Redeeming a Firstborn Donkey!

The Mitzvah of redeeming the first born Donkey - a long lost Halacha or a practical law for Donkey owners and riders in today's times ??

How Does a Heter Iska Work?

What is the prohibition of "Ribbit"? who does it apply on? How does the "Heter Iska" bypass the prohibition? and more...

The Death of a Tzaddik

Shir Hashirim

Deeper meaning of Shir Hashirim, The Song Of Songs.

Clean For Pesach And Enjoy The Seder

Relationships during the Time of Engagement

A young engaged man and his fiancée naturally have very strong feelings for each other. It goes without saying that these will be expressed after the wedding, but what expression, if any, is permitted in the meantime? And while we're on the subject, is the attraction of men and women to each other really a good thing to begin with?

Some Halachic Ramifications of Wills

Some Halachic Ramifications of Wills. Should a Jew write a will? Is a typical will valid in Halacha? and more...

May I take a Nice Hot Shower on Yom Tov?

May I take a Nice Hot Shower on Yom Tov?

The Halachot of Pidyon Haben

Halachot of Pidyon Haben. The time of the Pidyon, Cesarean births, can you give the Cohen a check? can a Cohen return the money? and more...

Pirkei Avot between Pesach and Shavuot

Special Laws for Pesach

Secular Zionism in the Eyes of Rav Kook.

How can we understand the rebellion against religion over the past century? What does the world gain spiritually from this rebellion which was foreseen in the mishna 1,800 years ago as part of the period preceding the mashiach? Only after we understand the rebellion can we glean the benefit and relate to our brothers properly.

That a Cohen May Not Marry a Divorcee

A few days later, a royal emissary of the Empress Maria Teresa appeared at the rabbi’s home. The surprised rabbi realized that the wealthy Jew had broken the convention by which Jews did not involve non-Jews in their inner disputes. He had no choice.

"Ushemartem et HaMatzot" - The Laws of Baking Matzot

Reciting Brachos in the Presence of Unpleasant Odors

Reciting Brachot, Benching and learning Torah in the Presence of Unpleasant Odors. May one wash for bread in a public restroom? Can one discuss Torah while walking through city streets where there are dumpsters or dog droppings? What if one cannot smell? and more.

When Moshiach Comes

A summary of the different Brachot we will bless when the Moshiach will walk through the door.

Some Kitniyos Curiosities

An overall explanation what Kitniyos is all about.

Erev Pesach on Shabbat Guide

The Laws of Matza

A – The Mitzva of Eating Matza; B - Matza Shemura (Protected/Guarded Matza); C – Does the Protection have to be done with the Intention of Fulfilling a Mitzva?; D – The Fitness of Hand-made vs. Machine-made Matzot for the Mitzva of Eating Matza; E – Is there a Special Value in Eating Hand-made Matzot throughout Pesach?; F – Water that has Stayed Overnight; G – Preventing Fermentation during Kneading; H – More Laws about the Matzot;

Practical Halachos of Civil Litigation

Can I go to a civil or secular court? What about with a non-Jew or non-Jewish court? What if I am sued? An essential article about going to Jewish court of law.

The Ten Tribes Beyond the Sambatyon

The road from Babylon to the Land of Israel passes through Syria, and many of the returning exiles got stuck there, beyond the Sambatyon River. Though largely unobservant, they were protected from assimilation by the observance of the Sabbath.

The Laws Relating to Converts

The laws relating to Jewish converts are most astounding. Despite the criticism directed at the Jewish people on the grounds that Judaism is racist, the Torah teaches us that any non-Jew who earnestly seeks to join the Jewish people may do so.

As Though You Yourself Came Out of Egypt

Passover...and Foreign Workers

The people of Bombay inquire of Ben Ish Chai as to whether or not there is a possible violation of Jewish law in the fact that non-Jewish servants bring chametz into the homes of their Jewish employees and eat there in the privacy of their own rooms.

The Service that Blazes

People have a tendency to assume that a person who possesses a fiery spirit infuses his divine service with his own personal heat. Yet, in truth, each of us is called upon to extract spiritual strength from our service of God.

Mourning Customs During the Omer

The days between Passover and Shavuot are marked by pain; twenty-four thousand of Rabbi Akiva’s students died therein. Consequently, it is customary to observe mourning practices during this period - weddings, haircuts, and dancing are all forbidden.

Jerusalem at the Seder

Pesach

Pesach

Seder Night

The story of the Exodus must be told in a spontaneous manner, bursting out of the depths of the heart. One should attain a renewed sense of that feeling experienced by the Children of Israel, as if it were happening here and now.

The Laws of “Brit Mila”

Through Brit Mila we declare to the entire world that we, the Jewish people, continue to be firm in our faith and ready to sacrifice ourselves until we have reached the materialization of all of our upright and just aspirations.

The Laws of Modesty

The trait of modesty, so imbedded in the Nation of Israel, has served as the foundation for all the giant spiritual advances achieved by the Jews throughout history. This is why the Torah laid so strong an emphasis on maintaining modesty and sanctity.

Miracles and Magic in Parshat VaEra

Moses, who dared to request that God change His "Attribute of Judgement" to the "Attribute of Mercy," merited having God change the ways of nature in response to his prayers, and the decree of exile was thus nullified before the appointed time.

A Mighty Hand and an Outstretched Arm

Parashat Bo

God's taking the Jewish people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm made it clear that they had been chosen as the God's nation. When Israel suffers, God's name is desecrated. This fact guarantees the eternal existence of Israel.

The Prohibition Against Smoking

Many people ask, “What does Jewish law have to say about smoking? Is it permissible or forbidden? Is it permissible for a non-smoker to demand that a smoker refrain from smoking in his presence on the grounds that the smoke bothers him?”

The Laws of Torah Study

part 1

Why is Torah study the most important commandment in the Torah? How does one fulfill this Mitzvah? Just how much Torah must one know? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed addresses these and other questions in his distinctly clear style.

Sefer Devarim

Moshe rabeinu's final speech to Bnei Yisrael.

Moshe Rabeinu's Sacrifice to Enter Erets Yisrael

Parashat Vaetchanan

Moshe rabeinu prayes to enter Erets Yisrael; Two reasons for Hashem's refusal; Moshe's will to sacrifice to enter Eretz Yisrael.

The Crowns of Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s eminence stems from its being the city of the Holy Temple, the home of the kingdom of Israel, and the Torah center of the world. In liberating Jerusalem we merited advancing toward the full revelation of the greatness of the Holy City.

Joseph and the Four Cups of Wine

The Structure of the Passover Haggadah

“Had not the Almighty taken our fathers out from Egypt, then we... would have remained enslaved to Pharaoh.” Were it not for the Exodus, history would have simply come to a halt, and we, the Jewish people, would still be enslaved to the same Pharaoh.

The Maharal of Prague: An Introduction

We might very well credit Rabbi Yehudah Liva, the legendary "Maharal of Prague," with being the first to "open the gate" and provide us with a truly penetrating look at the essence of the Sages' homiletical teachings on the Torah - the "Midrash."

The Path to Purity

Parshat Parah

1. Opposite the Tent 2. Communal vs. Individual Prayer 3. Communal vs. Individual Torah

Parshat Nitzavim - Shedding Light on "Teshuva"

The Torah promises that the People of Israel will repent, in addition the Torah commands us to return to God through Teshuva.

The Prohibition of Relinquishing Land to Enemies

Part 3

Part 3

Insights into the Haggadah's Four Sons

Ours is a Haggadah of destruction and exile. In exile it is not possible to place appropriate emphasis on the national goal. Thus, it becomes necessary to emphasize the centrality of personal, individual worship of God.

The Month of Nissan - A Unique Possession

The month of Nissan resembles the heart. The heart sustains everything, sending blood to all of the body's organs. Regarding Nissan it is written, "Safeguard the month of spring," for it symbolizes the return of life to the trees after their long winter dormancy.