From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A [Tuesday 28th Sivan 5785]

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*8. Making Kugel for Shabbos:[1]

Some communities have the custom of eating a Knish[2] on Friday night.[3] There is no need however to be particular in this matter.[4] [However, it is an old Jewish custom to eat Kugel on Shabbos, and some write that this takes the place of the Knish custom.[5]]

The Pashtida of the Baal Shem Tov:[6]

Once when the Rebbetzin of Rav Yaakov Yosef of Polnoa returned from the house of the Baal Shem Tov, he asked her, ‘What did the Baal Shem Tov’s wife teach you?’ She replied simply, ‘The rabbanit taught me the Kavanos of the Ketores that one should have upon cooking the Knish for Shabbos.”

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[1] See Rama 242:1; Piskeiy Teshuvos 242:12

[2] A knish is a beloved staple of Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine—a savory pastry filled with mashed potatoes, kasha (buckwheat), onions, or sometimes meat or cheese. The dough is typically soft and pillowy, and the whole thing can be either baked or fried, depending on the style.

[3] Rama 242:1 “Some wrote that in certain communities it is accustomed to eat Mulyasa, which is called Pashtida on Friday night in commemoration of the Mun which was covered on top and on bottom.”; Maharil Hilchos Shabbos p. 204; Siddur Yaavetz that the Medakdikin are particular in this, and that so did his father the Chacham Tzevi

[4] Rama ibid; The entire minhag is omitted from Admur ibid; Toras Chaim Sofer 242:6; See Biur Halacha 242:1 “Zecher” who questions this entire Minhag on the basis that the Mun did not fall on Shabbos

[5] Nimukei Orach Chaim 271:2; Piskeiy Teshuvos 242:12

[6] Migdal Oz p. 246; Haparsha Hachassidit [Chazak] Vol. 1 p. 348

Nurturing Potential skills of a child:

Many children possess unique talents and abilities waiting to be discovered and nurtured. Recognizing and utilizing your child’s skills not only builds their confidence, but also fosters a sense of purpose and accomplishment. When parents actively encourage the development of these natural talents, children are more likely to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. By helping children harness their skills, families lay the foundation for lifelong resilience, adaptability, and fulfillment, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and to face future challenges with creativity and self-assurance. The following is a story of a special wood carving skill that was held by the Rebbe Maharash:[1]

Already from when the Rebbe Maharash was five years old he had revealed a special talent in word carving. He would use small knives to carve beautiful pictures and designs into pieces of wood. An elderly Chassid once offered the child his own special carving knife as a gift if the child would be able to tell him as to where G-d is found. The child responded by taking out his own knife and offering it to the elderly Chassid as a gift if he can tell him as to where G-d is not found. The Chassid smiled and said that with his response he has rightfully earned his carving knife as a gift.

[1] Reshimos Devarim 1:143; Haparsha Hachassidit 1 p. 349

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From the Ravs Desk: Latest articles and Q&A [Sunday 24th Tamuz 5785]

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About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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