Chapter 20: Miscellaneous laws

Chapter 20: Miscellaneous laws 1. An egg laid on Shabbos:[1] An egg which has been laid on Shabbos is forbidden to be eaten[2] and is therefore Muktzah.[3] It is even forbidden to merely touch the egg.[4] Placing a vessel over the egg: Although the egg is Muktzah, nevertheless, it is […]

Chapter 18: Home cleanliness

Chapter 18: Home cleanliness 1. Washing dishes on Shabbos:[1] All dishes/cutlery needed to be used on Shabbos may be washed anytime on Shabbos, even much time prior to the meal.[2] Thus one may wash the Friday night dishes immediately after the meal on Friday night and does not need to […]

Chapter 17: Lash-The laws of Kneading

Chapter 17: Lash-The laws of Kneading Introduction: Kneading is one of the Biblically forbidden Shabbos labors. There is a dispute dating back to the Talmud, which is likewise disputed in the codifiers, as to what constitutes kneading and as to which materials are forbidden to be kneaded. The rule is […]

The reign of Yehoachaz

Melachim 2/Kings 2-Chapter 23 1.      The reign of Yehoachaz His age at the time of his reign: Yehoachaz was twenty-three years old when he became king. His time of reign: Yehoachaz reigned in Jerusalem for [only] three months. His mothers name: His mother’s name was Chamutal the daughter of Yeremiah […]

Feeding animals on Shabbos

Feeding animals:[1] It is permitted for one to feed home and farm animals, food and drink, if they are dependent on him for their food. It is however forbidden to feed home and farm creatures if they are not dependent on him for their food, such as bees, or pigeons.[2] […]

Chapter 15: Salting foods on Shabbos

Chapter 15: Salting foods on Shabbos Introduction: Miabeid, which is the act of tanning skins, which is the act of tanning skins is one of the principal Shabbos prohibitions. The tanning of skins is accomplished through the use of salt. As an offshoot of this prohibition, or as an offshoot […]

Chapter 14: Dyeing and scenting foods on Shabbos

Chapter 14: Dyeing and scenting foods on Shabbos   Introduction: One of the 39 principal Melachos is a prohibition against dyeing on Shabbos. Below we will discuss if this prohibition applies likewise to food. Practically, while in general the dyeing prohibition does not apply towards foods, the Achronim differentiate in […]

Chuldah the prophetess

Melachim 2 Chapter 22 1.      Chuldah the prophetess and her prophecy of doom: The servants go to Chuldah the prophetess to consult with her: Chilkiyah the priest and Achikam and Achbor and Shafan and Asayah went to Chuldah the prophetess to consult with her about the above message of God. […]

The reign of Yoshiyahu

Melachim 2-Chapter 22 1.      The reign of Yoshiyahu: His age at the time of his reign: Yoshiyahu was eight years old when he became king. The years of his reign: Yoshiyahu reigned in Jerusalem for thirty-one years. The name of his mother: His mother’s name was Yedidah the daughter of […]

The reign and evil deeds of Manashe

Melachim 2 Chapter 21       The reign of Manasheh: The age at which he became king: Manasheh was twelve years old when he became king. The years of his reign: Manasheh reigned in Jerusalem for a period of fifty-five years. His mother’s name: His mother’s name was Cheftzibah. 2.      […]

Gezel Hagoiy-Stealing from a Gentile

Gezel Hagoiy-Stealing from a Gentile:[1] A. The general law: It is Biblically forbidden to steal anything even from a Gentile.[2] It is forbidden to steal even less than a Peruta’s worth.[3] This applies whether the Gentile is a child or an adult.[4] This applies even if the Gentile has caused […]

The kingdom of Israel is exiled by Ashur

Melachim 2 Chapter 17 Shalmaneser conquers the kingdom of Israel and exiles the 10 tribes: Shalmaneser makes Hosheia pay him a tribute: Shalmaneser, the king of Ashur, went up against him, and Hoshea became his servant, and had to pay him tribute. Shalmaneser imprisons Hosheia: Shalmaneser the king of Ashur […]

The reign of Achaz

1.      The reign of Achaz: The year of his reign: Achaz the son of Yosam the king of Yehuda became king in the seventeenth year of Pekach the son of Remaliah. His age at the time of his reign: Achaz was twenty years old when he became king. The years […]

The reign of Yoash king of Yehuda

Chapter 12: The reign of Yoash king of Yehuda The reign of King Yehoash: The age that he became king: Yehoash was seven years old when he became king. His year of reign: Yehoash became king in Yeihu’s the seventh year of reign [which was the sixth year of the […]

Touching the parchment of a Sefer Torah

Touching the parchment of a Sefer Torah:[1] It is forbidden to hold [or even touch[2]] the parchment of the Sefer Torah without a cloth.[3] This applies even if one washed his hands.[4] [This applies whether to the interior side of the parchment where the words are written, or to the […]

Queen Atalyah and the revolt against her

Melcahim 2 Chapter 11 1.      Ataliah kills all of the descendants of Achaziah, except for one who manages to escape: Ataliah kills all of the descendants of Achaziah: Ataliah, who was the mother of Achaziah, saw that her son was dead [and desired to lead the monarchy herself], so she […]

Elisha cures Naaman of Tzaras-Leprosy

Melachim 2 Chapter 5 1.      Naaman and his illness of leprosy: Who was Naaman? Naaman was the general of the king of Aram. He was a prominent man before the king and was well respected, as through him Hashem had given victory to Aram [over the king of Israel, as […]

Hiding the thumb-When and why

Hiding the thumb-When and why: In Halacha, we find recorded in the following areas that the thumb is to be hidden: During prayer: There are certain regulations and restrictions of hand positions during the prayer of Shemoneh Esrei, such as not to stand with one’s hands on one’s thighs.[1] As […]

Hiding the thumb-When and why

Hiding the thumb-When and why: In Halacha, we find recorded in the following areas that the thumb is to be hidden: During prayer: There are certain regulations and restrictions of hand positions during the prayer of Shemoneh Esrei, such as not to stand with one’s hands on one’s thighs.[1] As […]

The Prohibition of Orlah

The Prohibition of Orlah: A fruit tree which is planted is to have three years counted from the time of its planting. All the fruits which it grows throughout those three years is prohibited forever[2] not only in eating but in deriving any form of pleasure from them.[3] ______________________________________________________________ [2] […]

Throwing out the garbage on Shabbos

Garbage-Moving a garbage bag or garbage bin:[1] The moving of a garbage bag or a garbage bin on Shabbos enters into the question of whether it has the status of Muktzah, and if so, under which circumstances it is permitted to be moved under the rule of Geraf Shel Reiy, […]

The status of a Kohen who is a Challal

The status of a Kohen who is a Challal [born from forbidden relations]:[1] A Challal is a Kohen who is desecrated from his priesthood position, and is hence not considered like a non-Kohen regarding all matters, as we will explain below. A. Who is defined as a Challal?[2] Biblical-Issureiy Kehuna: […]

Placing a tablecloth on the Shabbos table

Placing a tablecloth on the table: It is customary for there to be a tablecloth spread over one’s [dining[1]] table throughout the entire Shabbos. One may not swerve from this custom.[2] There are those who have the custom to spread two tablecloths over the [dining] table [and so is the […]