Why Yaakov chose the beauty of Rachel

The beauty of Rachel Imeinu:[1] The verse states that when Yaakov Avinu saw Rachel he ran towards her and kissed her. The Midrash states that Yaakov intended to attach himself to her beauty. Knowing the great spiritual level of Yaakov Avinu, it seems strange that Yaakov would act in such […]

Benefiting from Yom Tov transgression

Maaseh Yom Tov: If one transgressed a prohibition on Yom Tov, may he benefit from that item?[1] A Biblical prohibition: If one transgressed a Biblical command on Yom Tov, some Poskim[2] rule it is forbidden for anyone to receive benefit from the item on Yom Tov, just as is the […]

Doing Melacha for a gentile or animal

Doing Melacha for a gentile or animal:[1] All the Melachos of Ochel Nefesh were only permitted to be performed for the need of the eating of a Jew. It is however [Biblically] forbidden to perform Melacha of Ochel Nefesh for the sake of feeding a gentile or animal.[2] This applies […]

Machshirei Ochel Nefesh

Machshirei Ochel Nefesh-Must directly be done for the sake of food:[1] Meleches Ochel Nefesh may only be done if it is not defined as Machshirei Ochel Nefesh, or is defined as Machshirei Ochel Nefesh but could not have been done before Yom Tov.[2] This means that food related Melacha may […]

Doing Melacha for after Yom Tov

Biblical and Rabbinical regulation-Food must be able to be benefited from on Yom Tov and is done for the sake of Yom Tov:[1] All the Melachos of Ochel Nefesh were only permitted to be performed on Yom Tov for the sake of benefiting from it on Yom Tov. It is […]

Why Hashem prohibited Melacha on Yom Tov

Why Hashem prohibited Melacha on Yom Tov?[1] The purpose of Yom Tov is for the Jewish people to remember the great miracles that Hashem performed for them and their forefathers, and for them to give over this history to their children and grandchildren. This is why the Torah prohibited one […]

How to Daven with emotion

How to Daven with emotion:[1] How does one Daven with emotion? With an arousal of love and fear of G-d? With fervor and concentration? Certainly, this cannot be accomplished if one grabs and quickly wears his Tallis and Tefillin without any prior preparation. One must first learn a chapter of […]

Stealing as a joke

Stealing as a joke:[1] It is forbidden to steal even if one plans to return it immediately afterwards.[2] It is forbidden to steal even if one has no intent at all to cause pain to the owner and is stealing the item [temporarily] merely out of jest [and plans to […]