Mitzvah of Kavod and Simcha on Rosh Chodesh

The Mitzvah of Kavod and Simcha: Some Poskim[1] rule that one is obligated in the Mitzvah of Kavod [and Simcha[2]] on Rosh Chodesh, just as one is obligated on Yom Tov. _____________________________ [1] Machazik Bracha 419/2; Ashel Avraham Butchach Tinyana 419; See Rameh Mipuno 79 The reason: As Rosh Chodesh […]

Kiddush Levana on Motzei Yom Kippur

Kiddush Levana: One does not recite Kiddush Levana prior to Yom Kippur.[1] It is rather to be recited on Motzei Yom Kippur.[2] Eating and changing clothing before Kiddush Levana on Motzei Yom Kippur:[3] When reciting Kiddush Levana on Motzei Yom Kippur, one does not need to eat prior to saying […]

The pessimist versus the optimist

The pessimist versus the optimist:[1] Some people have a natural tendency towards pessimism, while others towards optimism. Interestingly, often those who have a good life with many blessings and no true suffering, have a pessimistic outlook at life in general and to their own predicament, in particular. They expose all […]

Washing hands if wearing nail polish

Is nail polish considered a Chatzitza for washing hands for bread and in the morning?[1] Women who are accustomed to dye their hands for beauty purposes, and the like, the dye is not considered an interval [between the water and the hand] and the washing is valid. This applies even […]

The spiritual children of Avraham and Sarah

The spiritual children of Avraham and Sarah:[1] The Zohar explains that although Sarah was physically barren, she merited to have many spiritual children. This is learned from the verse which states “Vethi Sarah Akarah, Ein Lah Velad/And Sarah was barren, she had no children.”  This means that although she did […]

Parshas Lech Lecha- Summary of the Parsha

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer    Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Lech Lecha Pesukim: 126 [Siman: נמל”ו] Haftorah: Yeshayahu 40:27-41:16   Number of Mitzvos: There is a total of One Mitzvah in Parshas Lech Licha. There is One positive command and Zero negative commands. The following are […]

100 blessings on Yom Kippur

How does one accumulate 100 blessings on Yom Kippur?[1] Every Jew is obligated to recite one hundred blessings each day.[2] On Yom Kippur, due to the loss of several blessings from Shemoneh Esrei, and from lack of food and drink, one needs to accumulate these blessings from other sources. Aside […]

Paying owed bus fares in Israel

Paying owed bus fares: It is forbidden to enter a person’s property without their permission.[1] This applies whether the property is owned by a Jew or a gentile.[2] It goes without saying that one may not make use of facilities within another’s property without their permission.[3] [Accordingly, it is forbidden […]

Davening Mincha after sunset

Davening Mincha past sunset:[1] The prayer of Mincha may be recited until evening.[2] It is disputed amongst Poskim as to the definition of “evening.” Some Poskim[3] rule it is permitted [even initially[4]] to Daven Mincha past sunset, up until Tzeis Hakochavim.[5] Other Poskim[6] rule one may not Daven Mincha past […]

Using Maaser money to pay tuition

Using Maaser money to pay tuition for school/Yeshiva/seminary/Camp or another Torah education:[1] The letter of the law:[2] If one cannot afford[3] to pay the tuition for Torah education from non-Maaser or non-Chomesh funds, it is permitted for him to use his Maaser or Chomesh money [which he separated], for the […]

Is a blessing recited upon seeing an eclipse?

Is a blessing recited upon seeing a solar or lunar eclipse?[1] No.[2] One is not to say any blessing, including the blessing of Oseh Maaseh Bereishis. __________________________________________ [1] Igros Kodesh 15:260 [printed in Shulchan Menachem 1:355]; Orchos Rabbeinu p. 95 [2] The reason: The Sages never established a blessing for […]

Borrowing a Sefer from a Shul

Borrowing a Shul’s Sefer:[1] An old edict that was founded in ancient congregations is that one may not remove a Tallis or Sefer from the Shul without asking permission from the owners. [This applies even if one can assume that the owner is not particular, nevertheless one must ask permission. […]

Davening Mincha after accepting Tosefes Shabbos

Davening Mincha after accepting Tosefes Shabbos:[1] One may Daven Mincha even after accepting Tosefes Shabbos, and so is the widespread custom.[2] However, once one has accepted Itzumo Shel Yom [such as Davening Maariv] he may no longer Daven Mincha.[3] _____________________________________________________ [1] Implication of Admur Seder Hachnasas Shabbos who allows Davening […]

Stepping on egg shells

Stepping on egg shells: Many are accustomed to abstain from stepping on egg shells due to danger.[1] Accordingly, egg shells are not to be thrown in areas that people walk. There is a story dating back to the Rebbe Maharash regarding this matter.[2] _________________________________________________________________ [1] There is no known source […]

Davening Mincha after sunset

Davening Mincha past sunset:[1] The prayer of Mincha may be recited until evening.[2] It is disputed amongst Poskim as to the definition of “evening.” Some Poskim[3] rule it is permitted [even initially[4]] to Daven Mincha past sunset, up until Tzeis Hakochavim.[5] Other Poskim[6] rule one may not Daven Mincha past […]

Entering pots into a Sukkah

Entering pots into a Sukkah:[1] [It is permitted to enter pots and pans of food into a Sukkah.[2]] Nonetheless, once the meal has been completed, one is to remove the pots, pans, and plates from the Sukkah, being that after their use they are considered repulsive [and it is belittling […]

Taking medicine on Yom Kippur

May one take medicine on Yom Kippur?[1] One who is currently sick: If one is bedridden, or feels ill/weak in his entire body, then he may swallow a tasteless or bitter pill [without water, as will be explained].[2] If the pill has a non-bitter taste, then he is to wrap […]

Women shaking Lulav

Are women obligated in shaking Lulav? Women are exempt from the Mitzvah of shaking Lulav.[1] Nevertheless, if they desire to shake Lulav, they may do so.[2] Practically, women have accepted upon themselves the Mitzvah shaking of Lulav as an obligation.[3] [Accordingly, women are to be particular to shake Lulav each […]

Mamar 2-Teshuvah only works in this world

“Tzav Es Bnei Yisrael Veamarta Aleihem…” [Likkutei Torah p. 150] Teshuvah can only be performed in this world: It states that, Hayom Lasosam Ulemachar Lekabel Sechara, that today we are commanded to do the Mitzvos and tomorrow we will receive their reward. It is only in this world below that […]

One who forgot to say Hamelech Hamishpat

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com One who forgot to say Hamelech Hamishpat:[1] In Shemoneh Esrei of Aseres Yimei Teshuvah the tenth blessing of Hashiva Shofteinu concludes with the words “Hamelech Hamishpat” in place of “Melech Ohave Tzedaka Umishpat”.[2] [This emphasizes that […]

Taking a shower on Yom Tov

This Halacha is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy here or on amazon.com Taking a shower on Yom Tov?[1] Hot water: Water heated on Yom Tov:[2] It is forbidden to bathe [or shower[3]] one’s entire body with water that was heated on Yom Tov.[4] This applies even out of a […]

Sitting for an After Blessing

  Sitting during the recital of an after blessing: The general rule Birchas Hamazon:[1] One is required to sit while reciting Birchas Hamazon.[2] He may not stand or lay down.[3] This applies irrelevant of the position in which one ate, whether he was walking in his home when he ate […]

Saying the name of one’s parent

Saying the name of one’s parent:[1] Calling them, or referring to them, by their name:[2] It is forbidden to call one’s parent [father or mother[3]] by their name.[4] This applies whether they are alive, and even after their death. [This applies even not in their presence, and even if they […]