Daf Yomi Shevuot Daf 3

What Were the Differences Between the 1st & 2nd Luchot?

The Torah's Understanding of Love

So much has been written over the course of history about the always-fascinating topic of Love. It encompasses many aspects of our lives, whether between parents and children, between G-d and mankind, between man and woman, or just simply various experiences in which we "love" to engage. The Torah tells us to "love your friend as yourself" and to "love Hashem your G-d." It also relates that Yitzchak loved his wife Rivka, and that the two of them loved each of their sons, respectively. Yet, there is still much room to clarify what precisely is the Torah's approach to this issue.

Separating Terumah and Maaser

I have been looking for a specialty shampoo that contains oat bran. Someone found it in a very expensive store, and it does exactly what I want. One day, after showering, I noticed the label says that it is made in Israel! Does this mean that it is prohibited as Tevel?

Pesach Sheini

Could you please review for me the order of pesach sheini night? I wanted to become Jewish before Passover, but it looks like it won’t happen. Is there any way for me to make up the korban Pesach that I will miss? I become bar mitzvah during the beginning of sefirah. Does this affect when I will bring korban pesach?

The Ultimate Proof of the Truth of Torah

In honor of the Torah's "Ten Commandments" Portion Rav Netanel Yosifun presents the Ultimate Proof of the truth of Torah

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.

10. Listening to Music on Electronic Devices

Chapter 3: Customs of Mourning during the Omer Period

Many poskim maintain that there is no difference between listening to live music and listening to music on the radio or any other electronic device.

What Are the Different Customs for Observing the "Sefira?"

Mitzvot Which Seem “Outdated” in General or Unfair to Women

All religious (or potentially religious) Jews have difficulty with mitzvot which seem to be outdated. How can a thinking Jew understand & identify with a Torah which allows slavery, bigamy or taking enemy women during war? This class also deals with many questions raised by women or feminists regarding the role of women in Judaism, laws of Aguna, divorce, the brachot of "Shelo Asani Isha" or "SheAsani KiRtzono", etc. Rav Kook, one of the most innovative & brave Gedolei HaDor, writes a lot on this issue of "updating", explaining & identifying with the Torah in a totally Orthodox way (on which no one can disagree), to bring the Torah closer to all. [It is the 1st part of the class on "Mitzvot Which Seem Immoral", also highly recommended!].

The Four “Exiles”

The Seudah of a Bris

How Hashem Relates to the Evil Person

condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 12:27-28

condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 12:27-28

What is going on?

Birkas Kohanim

The month of Iyar-"for I am the Lord, who heals you".

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

One in Ten Million

An inspiring story about the great power of answering "Amen".

Writing a Sefer Torah

Tefillin Retzuos, Maintenance, and Purchasing Instructions

A Tefillin Shoppers Guide

Must I Toivel This?

The Mourning Period of Sefirah

What Are the Guidelines for Aveilus Observed During the Sefirah Weeks?

What Are the Guidelines for Aveilus Observed During the Sefirah Weeks?

Selah

Walking in Israel

What are the parameters of the idea that every 4 amot one walks in Eretz Yisrael is a mitzva? Is it only to new places? Does one have to walk on foot?

Why is Hafrashat Challah So Important

The Halachos of Pidyon Haben

Forgetting a Day of Sefirat Ha'Omer

Understanding the Prohibition of Avodah Zarah

“Ba’omer” or “La’omer”?

Which is the correct version of counting the omer – “… yamim la’omer” or “… yamim ba’omer”? Is there a content difference or only a grammatical one between them?

The Power of Unity

The midrash (Bamidbar Rabba 15:18) connects the pasuk “Assemble for me seventy men” (Bamidbar 11:16) to the pasuk in Amos (9:6): “He builds upper chambers in the heavens, and His aguda (binding together) He founded on the earth.” The midrash takes this to mean that, kav’yachol, Hashem’s throne in the heavens is only firm if Israel is bound together in unity. Another powerful midrash along this line says that even when the Northern Kingdom of Israel was guilty of idol worship, Hashem left them intact because they were connected to each other (Bereishit Rabba 38:6). What is so positive about the unity between sinners?

Halachic Table Manners

By Rabbi Avraham Rosenthal

Seeing Eliezer act appropriately as a guest reminds us to discuss a practical topic, dealt with in this article by a guest writer

How Many Eggs Should be Boiled Together?

When making hardboiled eggs, may one cook one or two eggs or must there be at least three? Also, does it make a difference if there is an even or odd number

Maariv Around the Time of Chatzot

When I have the chance to daven Maariv only close to chatzot (astronomical midnight), dilemmas arise. Sometimes I have time to either recite Kri’at Shema or Shemoneh Esrei before chatzot, but not both; which has precedence? Other times, I can daven all of Maariv before chatzot at home, but if I go to our local “minyan factory,” the minyan misses chatzot; which is better?

“And you shall count” – The process of counting the Omer

Timtum Halev – Part I

Is there timtum halev [approximately, spiritual pollution of the heart] when one ingests non-kosher food in a halachically valid manner, e.g., based on bitul (nullification)?

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.

The Jewish Escort Service

Far More than 13 Million

How you count the Jews makes all the difference

How can one annul a vow?

Of Umbrellas and Eruvs

Hagala in Practice

Chapter Ten-Part Four

Chapter Ten-Part Four

Principles of Kosher Supervision on Pesah

Chapter Eight-Part Two

Chapter Eight-Part Two

The Mitzva of Settling the Land of Israel (Yishuv HaAretz), in Our Day

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

The Role of the Kohanim

Chapter Twenty-Part Four

Chapter Twenty-Part Four

The Order of Amidah

Chapter Seventeen-Part Four

Chapter Seventeen-Part Four

?How we should dress for Prayer

Chapter five-part two

Chapter five-part two

Historical View of Rav Mordechai Yaakov Breish (Chelkat Yaakov)

Beracha on Pureed Vegetable Soup

The Order of the Study of Torah Disciplines

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?

Inheriting the Land of Israel on the Temple Mount

Rabbi Melamed writes what late Religious Zionist leader Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook would have decided about the halakhic question of ascending the Temple Mount had he seen the political situation today.

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?"

The Special Mitzvah of Reciting Hallel

Individual Atonement is Rooted in Communal Atonement

Atonement on Yom Kippur emanates from the brit (covenant) of love which God made with our forefathers. Fasting on Yom Kippur releases the soul from its material bondage and desires, revealing its true, good aspirations.

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

Children Waiting Between Meat and Milk

Blood is the Soul

Hirsch At Your Table

A brief Dvar Torah on the Parsha, based on R. Samson Raphael Hirsch’s Torah Commentary

Parsha Summary: Acharei Mot

An Overview of the Torah Portion

An Overview of the Torah Portion

Explaining the Mitzvah of Pidyon Shevuyim

The Commandment of Redeeming Captives

Is savining a child from being raised non-Jewish considered Pidyon shevuyim? Is there a mitzvah of pidyon shevuyim when someone was captured because he was doing something irresponsible or illegal?

The Prohibition of Chanufah

When is it permitted to honor a person and when is there the prohibition of flattery?

The Twentieth of Sivan

"I noticed that the back of my siddur contains a large section devoted to selichos for the 20th of Sivan, yet I have never davened in a shul that observed this day. What does this date commemorate?"

Memories and regrets

The Six Day War brought to the Jewish world a sense of unity and solidarity that since then has never been matched. The stark divisions in the Jewish world have since then been magnified and intensified

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?

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?

Adar - the month of laughter

The month of Adar is known to be the month of happiness and laughter. Laughter appears when a person feels full identification with a particular content. The month of Adar is a month of a great effort to compare our will with the will of God.

Hamapil for Those Who Take a Long Time to Fall Asleep

Soften it Up

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (6) - Va'era

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (6) - Va'era

Prayer and Torah Learning

Chaim in the Garden (10)

Chaim in the Garden (10)

Don't Be Afraid of Responsibility

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (2)

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (2)

Explaining the Customs of Bris Milah

The mitzvah of Bris Milah has been enhanced by many beautiful customs. We will explain the background of these minhagim in the course of a guide to the honors bestowed during a bris and the steps of a bris procedure.

Shir Hyichud on Yom Kippur

Who wrote Shirei Yichud and What is it all about? An analysis on this Yom Kippur song.

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?

The Literary Legacy

of Horav Shlomoh Wolbe

The seventh yahrzeit of Rav Shlomoh Wolbe, the most published mussar and hashkafah author of our generation, falls on the 17th of Nissan. I would like to share with our readers what I wrote at the time: Rav Shlomoh Wolbe passed on to the yeshiva shel maalah during Chol HaMoed Pesach, leaving the following tzavaah:

Parashat Vayechi - Questions

Parsha and Rashi Q & A for the Shabbos Table.

Weddings

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.

Who Knows Thirteen?

A complete rundown of the Selichos and the 13 Attributes of Mercy

Why Parshas Naso Sometimes Introduces Shavuos

Understand the science behind the Parsha of the week and its place in a ever versatile calendar

Some Shatnez Basics

Background on the issue of Shatnez. In what situations is there reallyproblem?

The Milky Whey - The Cholov Yisrael controversy

The full (cream) story of Chalav Yisrael and non-kosher milk.

Why Do Children Start With Vayikra?

Rabbi Nachum Zev Dessler

Flavor and Fragrance - The Bracha on Fragrant Fruits

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

The Blessing for Rain for those travelling to the Land of Israel

Praying for a Rainy Day When Traveling to or from Eretz Yisroel in November

Tzeniut in the light of the Maharal

Adapted from Netivot Olam

Tzniut - Restrictions or Protection?

The Spurned Shadchan

Insights into the Financial and Halachic world of the Shadchan.

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 Do We Serve God?

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

Paying Workers on Time - The Mitzvah of “bal talin”

Halachot of paying workers on time in various situations in our days.

Acharei - Kedoshim

Shir Hashirim

Deeper meaning of Shir Hashirim, The Song Of Songs.

B'dikat Chametz

The Mitzvah to Halt from Work

The marriage of a young adherent of Rabbi Yaakov Yosef of Polonne is threatened by opposition to Hassidism. Until an elderly Count tells an incredible story...

Assembling Portable Cribs and Adjusting Shtenders on Shabbos

Milechet Boneh with movable items, removing leaves from the table, Assembling Portable Cribs, adjusting Shtenders on Shabbat and more.

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?

A Swarm of Locusts ... and People

Firing Teachers

part II

part II

Dayanim With Authentic Semicha

The Mitzvah of “Duchening” - Birchas Kohanim

The basic Halachot of Duchening, taking off shoes and washing hands, Why Is This Mitzvah Called Duchening? The connection between Duchening and dreams...

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...

Of Umbrellas, Trees and Other Kohen Concerns

Various laws of Tumah. Can a Kohen walk by a non-Jewish cemetery? Does Tumah spread under umbrellas? What about thin branches, twigs, and leaves? Why is it prohibited for a Kohen to come in contact with a Met?

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

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.

Sifting the Makom HaMikdash

The Waqf have been constructing at Makom Hamikdash - our Holy of Holies, what are the Halachic implications of the finds? How does one regard the finds?

Hatzalah and Shabbos Emergencies

A summary of PIKUACH NEFESH Halachot on Shabbat. What if I do not now if it is a life threatening emergency? Who should drive? A man or a woman? A Jew or a Non-Jew? and more....

Anyone for a Giraffe Burger?

Which are the "Kosher Animals"? Are Giraffes and Baffalos Kosher? Can one rely on the Kosher Simanim even when there is no Mesorah?

The Seder Avodah of Yom Kippur

What is the meaning of the Seder Avoda that we recite on Yom Kipur? Why do we say it and what are we to learn from it?

Days of the Omer and Refining Character Traits

Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students died during the Omer counting period. Why did they die precisely during these days? Is there any connection between the Torah commandments applying to the Omer period and the deaths of Rabbi Akiva’s students at this time?

Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes

Iyar 14 is the Hilulah (death anniversary) of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes. Tradition has it that Rabbi Meir asked to be buried in an upright position so that, when the Messiah comes and the dead are resurrected, he be able to run to greet him with no delay.

The Rights of a Copyright Holder

What is the halachic background to copyright law? Does the Torah have a concept of intellectual property rights, meaning that someone who creates or invents an item is owner of his invention? May a rav prevent people from taping his shiur? May one copy computer software or music disks?

Climate Change

What I Borrow, I Must Surely Return

The Halachot, definitions and differences between Shaila and Pikadon. Loaning and borrowing.

Are We Permitted to Enjoy this World?

I recline in an armchair in the lobby of the hotel and look over the menu. After the crazy day I've had, I deserve to relax and enjoy a good meal. Suddenly, I am menaced by a disturbing thought: Am I really permitted to enjoy myself in this world?

The Three Keys

"R' Yochanan said: Three keys the Holy One blessed be He has retained in His own hands and not entrusted to the hand of any messenger, namely, the Key of Rain, the Key of Childbirth, and the Key of the Revival of the Dead"

The Laws of Blowing the Shofar

The Jerusalem Talmud relates that the enemies once heard Jews blowing the shofar during morning prayers. They thought it was a war cry and attacked the worshipers. Therefore, the sages instituted that the shofar be blown during the Mussaf prayers.

Remembering the Temple's Destruction

The sages ruled that when a person builds a house for himself and arrives at its final stage, the whitewashing of the walls, he must remember that the Holy Temple still lies in ruins. He must therefore leave a square cubit of wall without whitewash.

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.

21. The Dangers of Pride

Just as “cleanliness” must reside in deeds, so must it reside in traits. The work involved in changing one's traits is more difficult than that involved in changing one's deeds. This is because changing traits means doing battle with one's own nature.

Tree Planting - the Redemption Revealed

Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai said, “If while holding a sapling in your hand you are told that the Messiah is about to arrive, first plant the sapling and then go out to receive the Messiah.” Settling the land complements the advent of the Messiah.

A Woman's Obligation to Pray

According to most authorities, women are no less obligated to pray than men. Therefore, they must pray “Amida” in the morning and the afternoon (“Shacharit” and “Mincha”). The evening Amida prayer (“Maariv”), on the other hand, is voluntary.

Morning Prayer Times

How early may one begin praying in the morning? When is it too early to recite the Shema? When is it too late? Should mountains be taken into account when calculating the sunrise? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed addresses these and other pertinent issues.

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.

From Zion to Jerusalem and Back Again

Jerusalem Day

Jerusalem Day

Behind the Mishkan’s Measurements

Parashat Terumah

Parashat Terumah

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.

Choosing a Place of Prayer

Abraham used to establish a fixed place for prayer. A fixed place of prayer creates a firm bond between the worshiper and his prayer. It transforms the supplicant's worship into a firm foundation and unchanging element in the structure of his life.

The “Pur” Behind Purim

All of the books of the Prophets and the entire body of the Sacred Writings are to be annulled in the Messianic Age - with the exception of the Book of Ester. It, like the Five Books of Moses and the laws of the Oral Tradition, will never be annulled.

The War of the Kings and its Significance

Parashat Lech Lecha

This week’s Torah portion describes at great length the war between the four and five kings, detailing their names and lands. Yet, what is so important about this particular battle that caused the Torah to describe it in such detail?

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.

The Laws of Torah Study

Part 3

How many hours a day should a person study? What is the goal in studying Torah, understanding or remembering? What does it take to become a Torah scholar? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed provides answers to these and other interesting questions.

The Twilight of Rabbi Kook

Part One

Not only was he versed, sharp, and innovative in the arenas of Talmud and Halakha, he was at home in all areas of Jewish thought – Bible, Midrash, philosophy, and mysticism. On top of all this he was unmatched in piety and righteousness.

A Red Cow and a Golden Calf

Parashat Chukat

The Almighty says, "Let the Red Cow come and expiate the sin of the Golden Calf." Yet, this calls for an explanation - What does the statute of the Red Cow have to do with the sin of the Golden Calf? What logical connection is there between the two?

Concerning the "Revadim" Approach

What is known as the "Revadim" approach to Talmud study developed and was nurtured via methods of reasoning which originate in the academic world. The university, though, is a place for the development of empirical, human wisdom, not Torah wisdom.

Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk: The Pioneering Rebbe

It would appear that his thirst for closeness to God, and his great longing for the Holy Land - the land wherein the Divine Presence rests - shook his inner being so strongly that no worldly enjoyment could compare to living in the land of Israel.

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

"Each According to his Camp"

We cannot be satisfied with strengthening only one portion of the people, no matter how important its task be. We must designate persons for each of our national goals, whether the strengthening of the Torah or the building of the nation.

Who is Entitled to be Called "Rav"?

A necessary requirement of every person who receives rabbinic ordination is to faithfully and selflessly continue the traditions that Moshe Rabbeinu started when he laid his hands upon his pupil Yehoshua Bin Nun.

Shmittat Kesafim

Debt Cancellation in the Shmitta Year: A Question of Terminology; The Mechanism of Prozbul; How Is It Possible?; A Proposal; Compelling the Debtor to Pay

The Mitzvah of Mezuzah for Renters

Two Views, Avnei Nezer's Proof, How a Renter Today is an "Owner”, Another Angle, The Ohr Samayach-Shach "Right of Usage”, A House with No Door, Summary

A Jewish Approach to Discipline in the Classroom

1. A Hands-On Approach 2. The Role of Trust and Love 3. Factoring In Personality 4. Student Character Types 5. Identifying the Causes

The Commandment to Settle the Land of Israel

Part 1

Part 1

Lag BaOmer

The accepted way of marking the death of a righteous person is by fasting. How then is it that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai's expiration has become occasion for joy and festivity?

Adding, Uprooting, and Rabbinical Authority

What gives the Rabbis the right to add laws to those which the Torah commanded us? From where do they derive the authority to enact preventative safeguards that result in the uprooting of Torah law?

Striking a Balance

Parshat Achrei mot - Kdoshim

The Zeal of Youth Torah Channeling, not Suppressing