Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 113

Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 112

Daf Yomi Sanhedrin Daf 111

Example of Shifting Gears to Build a Jewish Nation

Erev Pesach which Falls on Shabbat

This year's unique situation of "Erev Pesach which Falls on Shabbat", and especially during the war in Israel, is a classic example of the difference between Rav Kook and religious-Zionism, as opposed to Chabad and Haredi Judaism, and the need to shift gears to build a Jewish Nation. To care not just for our religiosity, but about EACH OTHER'S religiosity AND security. Our historic and fortunate period in Jewish history also involves rising and in fact returning to the authentic Torah outlook & realization, that we are not individuals in a tiny shtetl, but once again, we are the authentic Am Yisrael with the Living Torah and mutual love and responsibility.

A Little Comfort

9 Short But New Ideas on the Haggada for your Seder Table

Everyone needs chiddushim (new ideas) every year for their Seder, and this class supplies that need, including timely ideas for our present war with Hamas and relating to the non-religious.

Kiddush Levanah

Can I be mekadeish the levanah when there is just a slight cloud cover? Am I permitted to be mekadeish the levanah either before it gets fully dark or during the post-dawn, pre-sunrise morning hours? Did the Rif not write on this topic? Why not?

Why Do We Need an Acronym of the 10 Plagues? Why Do We Take Out Some Wine?

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?

Whatever Happened to the Mishkan?

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

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 Saga of Twelve Months

Is there any way to Kosher an expensive china set? is there any chance to eat during Pesach food that was cooked in a pot that was used once for Chametz?

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.

What Was the Mysterious "Tachash" Used in the Mishkan?

The Four “Exiles”

Chalav Akum – Non-Jewish Milk

Be Thyself

When does Mincha Start?

The Seudah of a Bris

Interesting Chol Hamoed Questions

Temple Sacrifices Today!

The Medrash says that the Olat Hatamid sacrifice drives the rebuilding of Jerusalem today. What is so special in this sacrifice.

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?

The Kosher Way to Collect a Loan

Although it is a very big mitzvah to lend money, some people are reluctant to do so because they know of loans that proved difficult to collect. Must you lend someone money if you are not sure it will ever be repaid? What do you do if you lent money to someone who seemed very honest and sincere, but now that it comes time to repay, he informs you that he is penniless? What may you do and what may you not do to collect your money? How can you guarantee that you get your money back?

Writing a Sefer Torah

Engagement Parties during the Three Weeks

Is it permitted to make an engagement party during the Three Weeks (i.e., before Rosh Chodesh Av)?

The Way to Make Charoset

Are there halachot of how to make charoset, or is the (approximate) final product the important thing?

The Logic Behind the Unusual Fast of the Firstborn

What type of fast is ta’anit bechorot on Erev Pesach? If it is a real fast, why do people use a loophole (taking part in a siyum) to get out of it?

Carrying in Public and the Use of an Eruv

Part 2

Part 2

Follow the Ladder

Since Yaakov Avinu witnessed the angels going up and down a ladder, it seems an appropriate week to discuss halachos germane to ladders. To begin, let us analyze a passage of Gemara that discusses ladders.

The Biblical Jericho

Can a Sheitel be Prohibited Because of Avodah Zarah?

A Background Discussion about the use of Indian Hair

A Background Discussion about the use of Indian Hair

What do we do when Pesach falls on Shabbat?

Keeping Foods Cooked in Chametzdik Pots

Sometimes I have foods that I cooked in chametzdik pots without any chametz ingredients that I fail to finish before Pesach. May I keep them in the corner of the freezer and mark them as chametzdik? (I try to not sell chametz, especially if it was already cooked.)

Understanding the Prohibition of Avodah Zarah

Akdamus Practices‏

Edited by Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

Prior to Shavuos in previous years, I published articles on the topics of producing and eating dairy bread, how to make kosher cheese, whether Shavuos is preceded by Parshas Bamidbar or Parshas Naso, and about the laws of making pareve foods. All of these articles can be accessed on RabbiKaganoff.com This year, I decided to distribute an article by my close friend, Rabbi Avraham Rosenthal, on the Ashkenazic custom of reciting Akdamus on Shavuos.

“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?

“Pesach Egypt” and “Pesach Lot”

Can we offer Korban Pesach today?

Can We Offer Korban Pesach Without the Beis HaMikdash?

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?

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

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.

Automatic Payment on Shabbat or Yom Tov

How can one annul a vow?

The Wine Laws

Chapter Sixteen-Part Two

Chapter Sixteen-Part Two

Tell Your Child"- the Hagada Laws"

Chapter Fifteen-Part One

Chapter Fifteen-Part One

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 Hagala

Chapter Ten-Part Three

Chapter Ten-Part Three

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

The History of the Heter Mechira

The heter mechira came about in the first shmitta year, 5649 (1888), after thousands of years in exile. Some opposing poskim changed their positions when they saw how urgent the situation was. Anti-Zionism caused more opposition.

Working in a Non-Kosher Establishment

How Early May One Begin to Pray?

Chapter eleven-part two

Chapter eleven-part two

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

How to manage the cosmetics and medicines issue on Passover.

Waking to the Call: Aliyah to Eretz Yisrael

If we had dedicated ourselves to redeveloping the Nation in Eretz Yisrael, then the resettlement of the Land, in accordance with the words of the Prophets, would have filled the hearts of our people with awe, and brought wanderers back to the fold.

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.

Abraham’s 10 tests and consequences

The parallelism between the ten trials of Avraham Avinu and other important tens.

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?

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.

Pure and Impure

Hirsch At Your Table

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

Women's level in serving Hashem

Throughout the centuries, the Jewish women had a strong faith in God, a faith which brought the redemption of the nation.

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.

May I Daven in English?

People, who cannot read Hebrew at all, have no choice but to pray in the language that they can read and understand. However, anyone who can should accept the challenge of studying the prayers a bit at a time, gradually thereby developing both fluency and comprehension

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?

Pumping Air from a Wine Bottle on Shabbat

Sheva Brachos at the Seder

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

Dress Appropriately!

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (16) - Tzav

The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (16) - Tzav

Some Kitniyos Curiosities

The laws of "kitnyot" (legumes) on Pesach - kitnyot mixed in food, cooked in pots and Sefaradi and Askenazi families.

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?

Hamapil for Those Who Take a Long Time to Fall Asleep

To rely on leniencies

Is one allowed to research and decide halachic questions oneself? Can one search out lenient opinions? Can one do so constantly for every question?

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.

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.

netilat yadayim

seudat hodaya

Derech Cheirus

I have acid reflux, and as a result I never drink any alcohol, since it gives me severe heartburn. I also have difficulty tolerating grape juice, which does not agree with me. Am I required to drink either wine or grape juice for the four cups at the Seder?

Do I Have to Tell the Truth?

A person must maintain total integrity in all his dealings – after all, we are commanded to act like Hashem in all our deeds, and Hashem’s seal is truth (Shabbos 55a). Furthermore, someone who is meticulously honest and truthful will merit receiving the Presence of the Shechinah.

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

What does papaya have to do with the beginning of Elul?

What does papaya have to do with the beginning of Elul?

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.

Dealing with Tzara’at

The Tenth of Av

An interesting Halachic account of the 10th day of Av, focussing on eating meat, fasting, mourning and more.

Matanos La’evyonim

Q&A on the laws of Giving gifts to the poor on Purim

Use of Harchaka D’Rabbeinu Tam

Performing a Proper Hesped

The Halachot of a 'Eulogy'

Tzeniut in the light of the Maharal

Adapted from Netivot Olam

Tzniut - Restrictions or Protection?

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

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

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...

Animal Sacrifices in the Third Temple?

Shir Hashirim

Deeper meaning of Shir Hashirim, The Song Of Songs.

B'dikat Chametz

Clean For Pesach And Enjoy The Seder

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.

Parshat Zachor

Daf Yomi - Yevamot 70

Rosh Shana

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...

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?

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...

A Kohen’s Glory

Or Charles’ Saga

The "Gifts" which the Kohanim will be receiving in the time of the Geula. Various Halachot of being a Kohen in our days and in the times of Bait Hamikdash.

Pirkei Avot between Pesach and Shavuot

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

Mishpatim - the Jewish law

“Hatov Vehametiv”

Wine is unique in that it not only satiates, it also gladdens the heart. Each type of wine has its own unique character, and when additional types of wine are consumed in company there is greater joy - and therefore a special blessing is recited.

When May I Ask a Gentile For Help on Shabbos?

A short summary of the Halachot of asking a Gentile for help on Shabbat.

When Moshiach Comes

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

Grave Issues about Graven Images

Where do we find nowadays the Isur of Avoda Zara? What are the relevant Isurim of Avoda Zara? Decorative statues are Asur?

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;

Teachers

Should I Limit How Much Tzedakah I Give?

Who should I give Tzedaka to? How much? What are critical cases? How do we help them?

Preparing Food on Yom Tov

What food can be prepared on Yom Tov? What Melachot are allowed, What are not? All in detail.

The Laws of Tumat Met

What is Tumat Met all about? Who, when and how?

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.

Nikanor, His Doors, and the Sea Creature

“All the gates in the Sanctuary were changed for golden ones with the exception of the Nikanor's because of the miracles wrought with them.” Nikanor provides the gate through which the redemption will come, and his two doors together are opened.

Exact Timing

Parshat Bo

Parshat Bo

As Though You Yourself Came Out of Egypt

Stages of the Geulah

Parashat VaYigash

Parashat VaYigash

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.

When Sabbath Precedes Passover

Ordinarily, after burning the chametz, there is no more chametz in the house. However, when the day before Passover falls on Sabbath, we must observe the commandment to eat three Sabbath meals, and the first two of these meals must consist of bread.

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.

The Minor Fasts and Their Laws

Did Jews fast over the destruction of the First Temple when the Second Temple stood? Must pregnant and nursing women abstain from eating and drinking on minor fasts? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed addresses these and other important questions.

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.

Aaron, Moses, and the High Priesthood

Parashat Shmini

“Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and they came out and blessed the people, and God’s glory appeared before the entire nation.” Moses had the power to channel the blessing earthward and Aaron had the capacity to receive it for the entire Nation of Israel

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.

Hashem's Presence

Parashat Tetzaveh

Parashat Tetzaveh

Ester and the Dawn

Purim serves as an example of what things will be like in the Messianic Age, for, in the time of Purim, the Jews merited seeing the light amidst the darkness, a situation which recalls the verse, “Though I sit in darkness, God is a light for me.”

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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

Principles in Learning Gemmarah

Learning Methods and Basic Teaching Techniques; Preparation for the Lesson; Anything Added Only Detracts; Self Learning and Actively Involving the Students;

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.