May a gentile castrate an animal or human

Is a gentile prohibited from castrating a human/animal as part of the Nohadite laws? This matter is disputed in the Talmud[1] and Poskim. Some Poskim[2] rule that gentiles are not prohibited against castrating. Other Poskim[3] rule that gentiles are prohibited against castrating. Practically, one is to be stringent like the […]

Concentrating on the Amen of the answers

This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Donate Buy in Paperback or Kindle Purchase on our website Brachos Learning Course – Semicha WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Sponsor an Article Concentrating on the Amen of the answers: Some Poskim[1] rule […]

Personal prayers-Praying in distress:

Listen to Audio Personal prayers-Praying in distress: A. The Mitzvah:[1] [According to all Poskim[2]] it is a Biblical command to Daven to Hashem in a time of need, when one is in a state of distress and requires Divine assistance. [Furthermore, this is the main intent of prayer, to pray […]

The proper blessing when eating a lemon

Blessing on lemons:[1] Lemons that are only mildly sour and are thus edible receive the blessing of Shehakol.[2] Lemons that are very sour to the point of inedibility do not receive a blessing at all prior to consumption.[3] Lemon peel:[4] The peel of a lemon which is edible receives the […]

Rejoicing in repressing forbidden thoughts

Rejoicing in repressing forbidden thoughts:[1] In result of that which was explained above, one who suffers from forbidden thoughts entering his mind during times that he is not involved in service of Hashem is to rejoice over the fact that Hashem has given him the opportunity to fulfill the above […]

Esrog-The blessing, Shehechiyanu

Blessing on Esrog:[1] Esrogim that are only mildly sour and are thus edible receive the blessing of Shehakol.[2] Esrogim that are very sour to the point of inedibility do not receive a blessing at all prior to consumption.[3] Esrog peel: The raw peel of an Esrog which is edible receives […]

Three stages of lust

Three stages in intensity of lusts and its correspondence to the three partners of birth:Man’s years are split to three:[1] Man’s years are split to three periods in terms of his challenges in service of G-d due to forbidden lusts and pleasures. These three periods correspond to the three partners […]

Blessing over Breaded eggplant

Breaded eggplant: Breaded eggplant is typically made through coating a slice of eggplant with bread crumbs and then frying or baking. Its blessing follows the same law, as breaded Shnitzel which is under dispute amongst Poskim. Practically, the custom is to recite Shehakol over Schnitzel, and the same applies to […]

Blessing on coated peanuts

Coated peanuts: Flour coated peanuts:[1] Coated peanuts are typically made through coating a peanut in a flour based dip and then baking them. One recites the blessing of Mezonos upon eating coated peanuts.[2] Chocolate/caramel/honey coated peanuts:[3] Chocolate/honey/caramel coated peanuts receive the blessing of Hadama.[4] _______________________________________________________________________________ [1] Vezos Habracha Beirurim 42 […]

The blessing on Onion rings

Blessing on onion rings [i.e. rings of onion coated with breadcrumbs]:[1] Onion rings are typically made through coating a ring of an onion in a flour-based dip, and then deep frying it. In addition to the flour-based dip, some also coat the ring with dry bread crumbs, hence adding a […]

Asher Yatzar in middle of Davening

Asher Yatzar in middle of Davening: Pesukei Dezimra: When one goes to the bathroom [to urinate[1]] in middle of Davening, some Poskim[2] rule he may say Asher Yatzar in middle Pesukei Dezimra [even if one is in middle of a paragraph[3]].[4] Nonetheless, it is best to delay the Asher Yatzar […]

Shabbos Electric urn

May an electric water urn be used for Shabbos?[1] The water is heated based on a thermostat: Some Poskim[2] rule a thermostat based electric water urn may not be used on Shabbos as the amount of water that is in the pot effects when the heat will turn on and […]

How much is Yad Soledes?

* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer Shop Now *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Telegram Sign up for Daily Distribution Donatehttps://vimeo.com/manage/videos/348806107 How much is Yad Soledes?[1] Introduction: Throughout the laws of cooking on Shabbos[2], we find the term of Yad […]

Telling a joke

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

1. Shiur of Bracha Rishona

This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Donate Buy in Paperback or Kindle Purchase on our website Brachos Learning Course – Semicha WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Sponsor an Article 1. Shiur of Bracha Rishona:[1] [Unlike the law by an […]

False humility/Bittul

False humility/Bittul:[1] There exists a false type of humility which is called Reuma. The verse[2] states that Reuma was a Pilegesh. The term Reuma is made up of two words, Reu/see and Mah/what. It means to call attention to one’s level of Mah, Bittul, humility. One who has humility simply […]

Gam Zu Letova verses Letav Avdin

Gam Zu Letova verses Letav Avdin:[1] The Gemara[2] states that every person is to accustom himself to recite “Kol Mah Deavdin Min Shemaya Letav Avdin/Whatever is done from Heaven is done for the good”, as was seen with the story with Rebbe Akiva.  Elesewhere, the Gemara[3] states that Nachum Ish […]

Every sin has different purgatory

Every sin has different purgatory:[1] Every sin a person does blemishes a part of his connection with G-d. To repair this tear one must go through suffering either in this world or the next. Every sin makes a unique tear that requires a unique form of cleansing and punishment that […]

2. Personal prayers – Detailed laws

* This article is an excerpt from the above Sefer *As an Amazon Associate I earn from  qualifying purchases. Donate Buy in Paperback or Kindle Buy on Apple Books Purchase on our website WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Sponsor an Article Laws relating to personal prayers:[1] The Mitzvah:[2] [According to all […]

Not giving is the lowest Kelipa

Not giving is the lowest Kelipa:[1] The Yitush/Gnat is the lowest Kelipa that exists and is the most distanced from Kedusha than anything else. This is expressed in the fact that the Yitush does not defecate what it eats, and hence shows that it only intakes and does not give. […]

Severity of a sin

 Severity of a sin: Separates one from G-d:[1] Every sin is likened to idolatry and separates one’s soul from G-d for that moment. When one sins he is more distanced from Hashem then even the Kelipos and Sitra Achra. He is more distanced than idolatry, impure animals and creatures. Ruach […]

Severity of a sin

Severity of a sin: Separates one from G-d:[1] Every sin is likened to idolatry and separates one’s soul from G-d for that moment. When one sins he is more distanced from Hashem then even the Kelipos and Sitra Achra. He is more distanced than idolatry, impure animals and creatures. Ruach […]

Pelishtim

The Kelipa of the Pelishtim:[1] The term Pelishtim comes from the word Mefulash which is used in Halacha to refer to an alleyway, which is called a Mavuiy Mefulash. In Kelipa this refers to lightheadedness, a joking and frivol attitude towards all that is holy and important in life, taking […]

Tu Beshvat

The Laws and Customs of Tu Beshvat  Introduction: The day of Tu Beshvat is a Halachic date that affects the laws of Kashrus of fruits. Due to this, it has become known as Rosh Hashanah Leilanos.[1] Throughout the generations other customs have become attributed to this day, such as the […]

Cross-dressing by a skit or play

Cross-dressing by a skit or play  Cross-dressing out of jest and fun/Purim/Chasana:[1] It is accustomed on Purim [and by Chasunas[2]] to allow males to wear the clothing of females and vice versa.[3] [However many Poskim[4] challenge this custom[5] and thus practically one is not to do so. Some write it is to […]

Children cross-dressing

Children wearing clothing of the opposite gender: It is a Biblical prohibition for a man to wear the clothing of a woman or a woman to wear the clothing of a man.[1] It is disputed as to whether the prohibition of Lo Silbash only applies when one wears the opposite […]

Tzadikim nullifying decrees of Hashem

Hashem enjoys when a Tzadik nullifies his decrees: Tzaddikim were given the power to nullify the decrees Hashem makes. This power was given by Hashem graciously, and he actually receives pleasure when his children nullify his decrees.[1] This is simialr to a father who gave over a novelty in Halacha […]

Knowing one’s deficiencies

Knowing one’s deficiencies:[1] The beginning of one’s journey in fixing his bad traits is to recognize them. Just the mere fact that one is aware of his character flaw and illness helps sweeten the evil and work on the problem. If however one does not recognize this flaws and does […]

Gava in service of G-d

Gava in service of G-d:[1] Although in general ego is a negative trait that must be worked on and is the source of all evil and lusts, nevertheless in the start of one’s Avodas Hashem, one must use his ego to battle the evil and serve G-d. One who serves […]

Verbal domestic abuse

Verbal abuse towards wife:[1] One must be very careful not to oppress his wife, not to cause her pain with words.[2] G-dly retribution for oppressing one’s wife is quick to come.[3] A person is to be very careful with his wife’s honor as the blessing of the home of a […]

Verbal abuse-Hurting another with words

Onas Devarim-Hurting another with words: A. The law:[1] Just as there is a prohibition against oppressing another in business [by cheating him] so too there is a prohibition against oppressing someone with words.[2] Oppressing another with words is even worse than oppressing him monetarily [through cheating him].[3] A victim of […]

Saying the name Tzeva-os

May one say the name Tzeva-os?[1] The name Tzevaos is one of the seven names of Hashem that may not be erased.[2] It is permitted to say the name Tzeva-os.[3] [Nevertheless, according to all, when writing the name on an area that may get thrown in the garbage, one is […]

Reshaim

Rasha: Loses control of mind over heart:[1] A true Rasha however does not have control of his thoughts, as their hearts are in control of their minds and not the opposite. This is a result of their great sin. In order to regain control of the mind over the ehart, […]

The throat in Avodas Hashem

Throat:[1] The throat is the most narrow area of the body. In Avodas Hashem it represents the constraints, restrictions, and barriers in bringing one’s intellectual knowledge into emotional fruition. The throat is therefore called the land of Mitzrayim. The back of the throat is the neck. This is the level […]

Women growing pubic hair

Women growing pubic hair: It used to be in Temple times that Jewish girls did not grow pubic hair, neither under the arm pit or pubic area. This was an advantage of beauty held by Jewish girls over the daughters of the other nations as the verse states “Vayeitzei Lach […]

Intelectual love

Intellectual love:[1] At times, as well as in certain souls, it is not possible to arouse a palpable love of G-d in one’s heart. Rather one arouses an intellectual pull towards attaching to G-d, with his heart remaining a distance from this desire. Although this love is not true love of […]

The power of thought on reality

The power of thought on reality:[1] We tend to think that our thoughts are meaningless and have no effect on reality. In truth however, our thoughts effect the outside world. This can be seen from the bird called the Rieh. The Rieh bird is called by this name as it […]

Tzadikim feel the Taanug in Mitzvos

Tzadikim feel the Taanug in Mitzvos:[1] Every Mitzvah contains an infinite amount of pleasure. In this world, a person who is attached to physicality is unable to feel the Divine pleasure found in a Mitzvah. However, Tzadikim are able to feel this Taanug, each on his level. The more distanced […]

Mercy to the irresponsible

Mercy to the irresponsible: Chazal[1] state that one who does not have “Deiah/Comprehension” it is forbidden to have mercy on him, as the verse[2] states “Ki Lo am Ninos Hu, Al Kein Lo Yerachchamenu Oseihu.” This verse means to say that Hashem will not have mercy on Bnei Yisrael if […]

Flour: Checking for insects

 Checking flour for insetcs: A. Flour insects: Worms and other insects that are found in flour are forbidden to be eaten.[1] This applies even if the flour was kept in a vessel.[2] This applies irrelevant of the size of the insect [so long as they can be seen by the […]

Wearing gloves during Davening

Wearing gloves:[1] One may not wear gloves while Davening [Shemoneh Esrei] as is done by travelers.[2] [If however, one is cold some Poskim[3] rule he may wear gloves to protect him from the cold. Other Poskim[4] however rule it is forbidden to wear gloves even in such a case, and […]