Not getting fooled by a spiritual high:[1] The Sages state that one is to view himself like a Rasha. This means that even a person who is on a high spiritual level, and does not succumb to sin, is to nevertheless know that in potential, he still contains all of […]
Final Galus is preparation for receiving Pnimiyus Hatorah
Final Galus is preparation for receiving Pnimiyus Hatorah:[1] The exile in Egypt had to be experienced by the Jewish people in order to merit receiving the Torah. The reason for this is because just as a seed needs plowed earth in order to grow, so too the Jewish ego had […]
How to make correct decisions
How to make correct decisions:[1] The Baal Shem Tov stated in the name of the Ramban that whenever one is in question over what to do, whether a certain action is an act of holiness of Kelipa, one should try to imagine himself removed from the situation. He is to […]
Fear of Hashem quashes all lusts
Fear of Hashem quashes all lusts:[1] One who truly fears Hashem does not feel any lusts for the worldly pleasures. This is similar to one who is standing before the king, in which case even if the greatest pleasure passes before his eyes, due to his great trepidation and awe […]
Chazan Davening a different Nussach than the congregation
A Chazan Davening a different Nussach than the congregation:[1] From the letter of the law, it is permitted for a Chazan to Daven for the Amud in his Nusach even if it is a different Nussach than the Shul and congregation.[2] Nevertheless, if this matter will lead to strife or […]
Saying Nakdishach by a congregation who says Nikadesh
Is one to recite Nakdishach if he is Davening by a congregation that says Nikadesh?[1] If one is Davening by an Ashkenazi Minyan who recites Nekadesh instead of Nakdishach, he is to recite the Nussach of the congregation, which is Nikadesh.[2] The same applies during Musaf, that he is to […]
Talking between the silent prayer and Chazaras Hashatz
Talking between the silent prayer and Chazaras Hashatz:[1] There is no prohibition at all for the Chazan to make an interval (of matters relating to the prayer and its needs) between the silent Shemoneh Esrei and repetition. (However, it is forbidden to deal with other matters until after Nefilas Apayim, […]
Standing up for a parent
Standing up for a parent:[1] One is obligated to stand for his father [or mother[2]].[3] [The Rebbe was accustomed to stand for his mother whenever his mother would enter the room.[4]] When: Some Poskim[5] rule that one is obligated to stand for a parent when he hears the parent enter, […]
Shomer Shabbos cemetery or plot
This article is an excerpt from our Sefer What is a Shomer Shabbos cemetery or plot and must one bury there?[1] Shomer Shabbos cemeteries or plots refer to a cemetery, or section of a cemetery, that is designated only for people who were Shabbos observant. While the earlier Poskim do […]
Burying a Gentile in a Jewish cemetery or vice versa
This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Burying a Jew in a gentile cemetery/Burying a gentile in a Jewish cemetery:[1] Although the Poskim[2] make no specific mention against burying a Jew in a gentile cemetery, or against burying a gentile in a Jewish cemetery, nevertheless, it is included in […]
