The Positive Side of Pesach Preparations

The Significance of Completing the Mishkan

True Modesty

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

Disposing of Tea Light Leftovers

I read that one should not throw directly into the garbage mitzva-related objects. Should I wrap in plastic the leftover shell and wax residue from “tea light” Shabbat candles?

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

Why Couldn't Moshe Enter the Mishkan??

The Zohar brilliantly asks: "Why was Moshe able to stand before the Divine Presence on Mt. Sinai, but not down on earth?"

Whatever Happened to the Mishkan?

IDF Draft Age...In The Torah!

What Parshat Nasso has to say about the army draft age for men and the effects of applying the same line of thinking to the IDF today.

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.

Anointing Oil

Who may be anointed with the shemen hamish’cha? What are the ingredients of the shemen hamish’cha? Where is the shemen hamish’cha poured?

Departure of an Uncle to Eretz Yisrael

Igrot Hare’aya Vol. I, #1 , p. 1-2 – part I

Igrot Hare’aya Vol. I, #1 , p. 1-2 – part I

Igrot Hare’aya – Letters of Rav Kook

Introduction

Introduction

Heter Shopping

When does Mincha Start?

Zionism- The Gate to Altruism, Humility, Godliness & Geula

Many wonder why the redemption began with Zionism & nationalism rather than with "observing 1 Shabbat"? Rav Kook explain that humility is the most important trait, see Moshe Rabbenu and all the mussar classics. Similarly, altruism- selfless giving, is the reason for creation, that even God wants to be altruistic, although this doesn't infer that He lacks anything, for altruism is, by definition, giving without gain. The national framework of living in a Jewish State where everyone is Jewish, sacrificing 3 years in the army & even one's life if needed, obligated chessed to each & every person, saving water, giving "tremps" to eachother, etc. help us rise above our personal smallness to a life of ideals & constant giving, altruism= Godliness.

Good In-Tuition

When Rabbi Amman was left alone burying a man he never met in a cemetery in Staten Island, he never imagined how much divine intervention was really at play.

The Covenant and the Love

How Did Rav Kook Base His Decision that We Must Love Non-Religious Jews?

How can the Torah command us to love every single Jew? How can the Torah command us to feel an emotion? Apparently we're referring to a mindset that is achievable, but how? Rav Kook was famous for his love of each and every Jew, even those far from Torah. This approach was very controversial in his time, but has since been almost unanimously accepted, even within haredi circles. What is the halachic and philosophic explanation and basis, and how can we practically acquire this difficult trait?

The Origins of a Siyum?

When is it not Shatnez? Part II

Rav Kook on Why Are There So Many Wars in the Process of Geula

Appreciating the Altruism of the IDF

The young State of Israel has seen so many wars, and the question is: We would have thought that the redemptive process of Y'mot HaMashiach would include gradually having more and more peace! We shouldn't be surprised because the prophets teach us that Milchamot Gog u'Magog, where the nations try and take away the Land of Israel, is part of the plan, but why? Rav Kook relates to the Godly altruism and unity which inevitably are part of war, not only on the battle field but where all Jews especially help each other, more than usual. The class deals with the innocent and righteous who are killed in war, and the special status of the non-religious soldiers in their especially unique altruism.

Traveling for Pesach

Rav Kook on Independence, Pesach, Chametz & Korech

Rav Kook, in his innovative style, explains the necessity for modern man to clean his Chametz in order to achieve individual and national independence and freedom on Pesach. If it's so natural to want to improve, and this "evolution" is built-in to the essence of the world, what are the factors that hold us back from being free to be ourselves? The Rav analyzes the symbols of matzah, maror and their merger in the Korech sandwich, in conjunction with free will, as well as nationalism.

Drinking during Davening

I showed my surprise to a serious young man who was drinking coffee during Shacharit. He said it helps him daven and is permitted. Can that be correct?

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?

Crossing the Sea

Response Ability - Leadership 3

Mrs. Eva Neuman showed incredible inner strength on the death march in 1944 teaching us an invaluable lesson in leadership and responsibility.

A Special Bar Mitzvah Brocha

Understanding the Shalom Zachor

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

A Tefillin Shoppers Guide

Trips during the Nine Days

I run a camp for children under bar mitzva during a period that includes the Nine Days. We usually take them on trips off campus once a week. Is it permitted to do so during the Nine Days?

Three Versions of Shabbat

Emor 5779

Emor 5779

Do the Chatan and Kalla Need to Eat at Sheva Berachot?

Must the chatan and kalla eat (bread) at Sheva Berachot (upper case for the week and the meal; lower case for the berachot recited) in order to recite the berachot? (Sometimes one does not feel well and eats little or nothing.)

10 trials of Avraham Avinu and 10 trials in the desert

Where Should I Pray?

The Halachos of Pidyon Haben

What do we do when Pesach falls on Shabbat?

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

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.)

The Matzoh Shoppers Guide – Part II

The Matzoh Shoppers Guide

Making Space

Understanding the Prohibition of Avodah Zarah

Could the Fruit on My Tree Be Orlah?

“Pesach Egypt” and “Pesach Lot”

Can we offer Korban Pesach today?

Can We Offer Korban Pesach Without the Beis HaMikdash?

Trapping on Shabbos

Would the Bnei Yisroel have been permitted to trap arov on Shabbos?

Exodus – Version II and III

Our parasha describes, on one hand, the troubles Moshe encountered on the way to the liberation of Bnei Yisrael and, on the other hand, the great miracles that accompanied that process. The prophet Micha coined the phrase about the hope for such recurring miracles, when he said: “Like the days that you left the Land of Egypt I will show you miracles” (Micha 7:15). We will concentrate now on parallel words of two other prophets. One received prophecy about a possible liberation that could have followed the prototype of the Exodus, but it was made conditional on the mending of the nation’s ways. The second prophet informed the people that the liberation was canceled because the nation did not succeed in repenting as necessary.

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?

How Many People Together to Start Shemoneh Esrei? – part I

I daven at a small minyan at which some people daven slower than the rest and others come late. We do not always have ten to start Shemoneh Esrei with the chazan. Should we wait for ten, or is six enough?

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

Color of the Inside of the Retzuot (Tefillin Straps)

Until recently, I had only seen tefillin retzuot blackened on one side, but when I went to buy tefillin for my son, the sofer suggested retzuot that are black on both sides. He says these are now common and preferable, and the price difference is modest. Which is better to buy?

Tzel, Tzelem, Tzela – A New Look on the Creation of Man

The Torah stresses the word tzelem (image) in its description of how man was created in “a divine image” (Bereishit 1:26-27). It also seems to connect this distinction to the fact that man was created as male and female. According to all explanations, the concept of “in the image of Hashem” relates mainly to man’s spiritual side; this is not related to man’s physical side, which is actually connected to sinning. In the second description of man’s creation (ibid. 2:7), the Torah does describe a physical creation (“earth from the ground”), into whom Hashem breathed, thereby providing him with a living spirit.

(For me, Closeness to Hashem is Good” (Tehillim 73:28

Practices of the Tochacha

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

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.]

Bishul Akum Problems in the Home

Roasted Foods on Pesach

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

Early Reading of Megillat Esther

I am working on a Megilla reading program to attract families with children (not consistent shul-goers) for Purim evening (the children attend public school in the morning). Due to daylight savings time and our geographic position, tzeit hakochavim will not be until around 8 PM, a time that would discourage families from coming. May we read the Megilla from plag hamincha (11/4 hours before sunset)?

Do Your Part

“The Mishkan was erected” (Shemot 40:17). What do we learn from the use of passive voice? “Moshe said before Hashem: ‘How will I have the power to erect it?’ Hashem answered: ‘You only have to place your hand there, and it will turn out that it is erected by itself’” (Rashi 39:33).

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)?

Automatic Payment on Shabbat or Yom Tov

The Measure Of Long Life

How can one annul a vow?

Tell Your Child"- the Hagada Laws"

Chapter Fifteen-Part One

Chapter Fifteen-Part One

Koshering the Kitchen-Part Three

Chapter Eleven-Part Three

Other Utensils Earthenware and Porcelain Utensils Glassware Enamel Utensils Plastic Utensils

The Principles of Hagala

Chapter Ten-Part Three

Chapter Ten-Part Three

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

This is the Way We Bake Our Bread!

Some Practical Questions about Hilchos Challah

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

The Laws of Reciting Shema

Chapter Fifteen-Part Four

Chapter Fifteen-Part Four

The Korbanot Passages

Chapter thirteen-part two

Chapter thirteen-part two

Laws Pertaining to Tzitzit and Tefillin for Shacharit

Chapter twelve-part three

Chapter twelve-part three

The Times of Keriat Shema and Shacharit

Chapter eleven-part one

Chapter eleven-part one

Birkot HaShachar – The Morning Blessings

Chapter nine-part one

Chapter nine-part one

The chazan

Chapter four-part one

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

Who Can Be Counted in a Minyan?

Chapter Two-part three

Can every ten men be a Minyan or are there other conditions?

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

How to manage the cosmetics and medicines issue on Passover.

Methods of Receiving Pay for Work on Shabbat

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.

Paro, Providence & The Paris 4

Raising Charitable Funds on Shabbat

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.

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.

Rav Yehudah Hachassid and his Shidduchin

“My husband’s name is Chayim Shelomoh, and an excellent shidduch possibility was just suggested for my daughter. However, the bachur’s name was originally Shelomoh, but as a child, he was ill and they added the name Chayim before Shelomoh. May we proceed with this shidduch?”

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?"

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?

Women in Synagogue

Keeping Kosher - Eating Out

Providing Non-Kosher Food

Returning Food to an Oven on Shabbat

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?

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.

Rav Lazer Shach – the Transmitter of Mesorah

Washing One’s Face on Yom Kippur

Statute of Limitation on Hagomel After Birth

Finding Money in One’s Pocket on Shabbat

Tasting Non-Kosher Wine

Separating Challah when the Owner is not Observant

Tefilat HaShlah

The Shlah's prayer for children education

The Shelah's Prayer (Tefilat HaShlah), is a prayer for education of children. Many say this beautiful prayer on Erev Rosh Chodesh Sivan, as the Shelah wrote in the introduction to prayer.

Short Pants for Davening on Shabbat

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?

Hamapil for Those Who Take a Long Time to Fall Asleep

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

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.

seudat hodaya

Crock pot use on Shabbat

The Significance of Tachanun

Although the importance of the tefillah of Tachanun is underappreciated by many, it should not be; it is actually based on Moshe Rabbeinu’s successful entreating of Hashem on Har Sinai to spare Klal Yisrael from punishment after their grievous sins: “Va’esnapel lifnai Hashem (Devarim 9:18, 25) - And I threw myself down in prayer before G-d,” (Tur, Orach Chayim 131).

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.

Some Shatnez Basics

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

Why Do Children Start With Vayikra?

Knotty Situations II

Practical cases of tieing knots on Shabbat

Flavor and Fragrance - The Bracha on Fragrant Fruits

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

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

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

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...

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.

It’s About Time - The Bracha of Shehechiyanu

The laws of Birkat Shehechiyanu, which comes first Shehechiyanu or the blessing on the food? reciting the Shehechiyanu on house renovations and on similar fruits, reciting the Shehechiyanu on a Mitzva, the first time lighting candles.

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...

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...

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.

Yitzchak as the continuation of his mother Sarah's life

“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.

The Great Crock Pot Controversy

Cooking on Shabbat is forbidden. How then can one slow-cook? What is a slow cooker and is it allowed?

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.

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.

As Though You Yourself Came Out of Egypt

Stages of the Geulah

Parashat VaYigash

Parashat VaYigash

The First Month and Renewal

Parashat Hachodesh

We are responsible for providing new, novel understandings of the Torah every day in accordance with the changing times. “Each day they shall be as new in your eyes,” and by virtue of this innovation “God renews the act of creation on a daily basis.”

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.

Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook - A Biographical Overview

Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook served as Head of the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva for thirty years. During these years, an entire generation of students was nurtured upon a philosophy which combined the Torah of Israel, the nation of Israel, and the land of Israel.

Mishkan-Mashkon

Parashat Pekudey

Parashat Pekudey

An Angel (of a Person?)

Parashat Vayezte

Parashat Vayezte

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.

Husband and Wife

If a husband and wife are worthy, the Divine Presence dwells between them. They merit greater spiritual perfection than when they are separate, and their entire Divine service, both prayer and practice, achieves greater perfection.

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.

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.”

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.

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 Laws of Passover

Part 2

What did the Jews gain from their subjugation in the land of Egypt? What is the significance of the prohibition against Chametz during Passover? Rabbi Eliezer Melamed addresses these and other questions in his classic and acclaimed style.

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.

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

1. The Quality of "Zehirut" - that Man Contemplate His Actions

Part One of "Pathways in Personality Development" When man lacks awareness of his behavior, he is like a blind man walking on the edge of the river, whose danger is no doubt great and whose demise is certainly closer than his deliverance.

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.