Telling a joke:[1] The Talmud[2] states that Raba was accustomed to tell a joke prior to learning Torah with his students. Telling a joke prior to learning helps take a person from Katnus to Gadlus, from being intellectually constricted and uninterested to having a desire to learn and attach to […]
Kiddush Levana prior to Zayin Sheleimim & Zayin Adar
The Molad of this past month of Adar was on Sunday, the 30th of Shevat at 6:20 AM. Accordingly, this past Motzei Shabbos was not yet seven complete days past the Molad and the question is asked regarding if one may have recited Kiddush Levana last night. Must one […]
Recited Kaddish/Kedusha, Davar Shebekedusha without a Minyan and then a Minyan arrived:
Recited Kaddish/Kedusha, Davar Shebekedusha without a Minyan and then a Minyan arrived: If one recited Kaddish/Kedusha or any other Davar Shebekidusha [i.e. Kerias Hatorah/Sheva Brachos] without a Minyan of ten adult men some Poskim[1] rule that one has nevertheless fulfilled his obligation and the Kaddish/Kedusha is not to be repeated.[2] […]
Expelling fear and why we experience it
Expelling fear and why we experience it:[1] The Baal Shem Tov stated: One who is overcome by sudden external fear is receiving from the right hand of Hashem. Hashem sends him this fear in order so he come to an inner fear of Hashem. Furthermore, when one recognizes that the […]
Sefeikos in Emuna
Sefeikos in Emuna:[1] It is natural for the animal soul to challenge a person with Sfeikos in Emuna. These seemingly innocent inetlectual questions are in truth the working of Sitra Achra, as the soul of a Jew remains constantly truthful to Hashem and never has any doubts. The Siotra Acchra […]
The laws of reading Megillah
Summary of the laws of reading Megillah: Who is obligated in the Megillah reading? Every Jew is obligated in the Megillah reading. This obligation includes women. Children [boys and girls, who have reached the age of Chinuch], are educated to hear the Megillah once by night and once by […]
Missed a word during the reading of Megillah
One who missed a word or part of the reading?[1] The reader must read every word of the Megillah.[2] If he skipped a verse[3], or even one word[4], or even one letter[5], he and the congregation do not fulfill their obligation. The same applies for the listener; if he […]
Marbim Besimcha
Marbim Besimcha:[1] One is to increase in joy throughout the month of Adar.[2] [Hence one is to rejoice himself, his wife and children during this month, similar to the Mitzvah of rejoicing them on Yom Tov.[3] Included in this Mitzvah is increasing in all matters that give one joy.[4] However […]
Blessing on gum
Blessing on gum:[1] One recites a blessing of Shehakol over flavored gum.[2] _______________________________________________________________ [1] Beir Moshe 2/12; Kinyan Torah 5/17; Yabia Omer 7/33; Piskeiy Teshuvos 202/34 Other opinions: Some Poskim rule a blessing is not recited upon chewing gum. [Yaskil Avdi 8/7] [2] The reason: As one benefits from its […]
Shiur of Bracha Rishona
Shiur of Bracha Rishona:[1] There is no required measurement of food that must be consumed for the recital of a before blessing prior to eating or drinking, and thus even a mere taste of a minute amount of food requires a blessing to be said beforehand.[2] [This however only applies […]
