The Prayers of Rosh Hashanah & Aseres Yimei Teshuvah-Part 1 Introduction to the prayers of Rosh Hashanah The form of prayer required on Rosh Hashanah One should pray with profound bitterness, having recognition that one is approaching the King with “torn garments”, and thus begging G-d to have mercy and […]

Question: [Thursday, 4th Elul, 5781] I am in the process of recovering from covid, and my doctor instructed me to inflate balloons several times a day for the sake of exercising my lungs. I will inflate them and then deflate them and then reinflate them for this purpose. Is there […]

Sharpening knives on Erev Shabbos:[1] One is to beware to sharpen the [kitchen and eating] knives every Erev Shabbos, as preparing oneself for eating is included within the honor of Shabbos.[2] In addition, [at times] one needs to sharpen the knives for the sake of Shalom Bayis [marital harmony], such […]

The reason behind the Mitzvah of Shemita:[1] Within the Talmud, and Rishonim, we find several reasons recorded regarding the purpose of the Mitzvah of Shemita. To emphasize that everything belongs to Hashem:[2] The Mitzvah of Shemita publicizes to the Jewish people that everything belongs to Hashem and in the end […]

Question: [Wednesday, 27th Menachem Av, 5781] I live in Eretz Yisrael and would like to plant a non-fruit bearing tree in my garden before the Shemita year, and would like to know until which date I may do so.   Answer: In the Halachic borders of Eretz Yisrael, a non-fruit […]

Putting on Tefillin past sunset-Until when during the day may one put on Tefillin? *This Halacha discusses specifically the law of one who wants to initially begin putting on the Tefillin after sunset. However, regarding one who already put on Tefillin before sunset and desires to continue wearing them after […]

Question: [Monday, 2nd Elul 5781] I need to take out a loan from a bank for about $50,000 although I cannot do so [for a normal interest fee] due to my credit line and asked a relative of mine who has greater credit if he would be willing to take […]

When is the Torah scroll to be returned to the ark on Rosh Chodesh? Sephardic custom:[1] The Sefer Torah is returned to the Ark only after Uva Letziyon, prior to the half Kaddish recited before Musaf.[2] Ashkenazi custom:[3] The Sefer Torah is returned to the Ark immediately after the Torah […]

Question: [Monday, 1st Elul 5781] During Hallel on Rosh Chodesh I absentmindedly forgot to skip the paragraphs of Lo Lanu and Ahavti, and remembered only after I finished saying the paragraph of Ahavti. What am I supposed to do now? Answer: In such a case you should skip the paragraph […]

Question: [Sunday 30th Menachem Av 5781] During the blessing of Shema Koleinu, I am accustomed to Daven for my personal needs and I would like to know if I’m allowed to also use this time during the blessing to give thanks to Hashem, such as if for example something I […]