Question: [Sunday, 30th Nisan, 5782] If I counted Sefira by Bein Hashmashos, am I Yotzei? Answer: It depends on which Bein Hashmashos you are referring to, if you’re referring to the Bein Hashmashos which precedes that nights count or to the Bein Hashmashos at the end of that days count. […]

The law if the Olah was shown the wrong text by his Aliyah and it was only discovered after he said the blessing:[1]  The debate: If the Olah was shown the wrong text of the reading in the Sefer Torah and he already recited the blessing, then it is debated […]

Question: [Sunday, 21st Iyar, 5782] I know that by Oseh Shalom in Shemoneh Esrei we are to take the first step back using our left foot. Does the same apply also when taking three steps back when saying Oseh Shalom within Kaddish? Answer: Although I have not found anything explicit […]

The Rebbes opinion regarding moving to, and visiting, Eretz Yisrael:[1] In a public talk in the year 1955[2], the Rebbe discouraged the campaign of encouraging every Jew from leaving the Diaspora for the sake of fulfilling the Mitzvah of dwelling in Eretz Yisrael due to several factors. One of the […]

Question: [Thursday, 18th Iyar, 5782] This year, due to all the various government limitations, I am unable to make it to the gravesite of Rebbe Shimon in Meron as I do annually. My question is, is there any value in me traveling to the north to an area from which […]

Shehechiyanu during Sefira part 2: C. May one eat a Shehechiyanu fruit during Sefira? Those who are accustomed to avoiding saying Shehechiyanu during the period of Sefira, are to avoid eating new fruits during the weekdays of Sefira. One may, however, eat new fruits on Shabbos and Lag Baomer, as […]

Question: [Wednesday, 17th Iyar, 5782] Is there any issue with performing Tevilas Keilim [i.e. immersing new vessels] at night? I have heard many times that we don’t do so at night. Is this true? Answer: It is permitted even initially to immerse vessels at night. Nonetheless, one should only do […]

Reciting Shehechiyanu during Sefira-Part 1: A. The letter of the law & custom:[1] Letter of law:[2] From the letter of the law, it is permitted to recite the blessing of Shehechiyanu during Sefira.[3] The custom:[4] Nevertheless, despite the letter of the law, many are accustomed to abstaining from saying the […]

1. Historical background-What occurred on Lag BaOmer? It is accustomed to increase slightly in joy on Lag BaOmer.[1] Various reasons behind this celebration have been recorded.[2] The classical reason recorded in Poskim[3] is that on this day, Lag BaOmer, the last of the 24,000 students died. Others[4] however write that […]

Is there a Mitzvah and Halachic obligation to visit Eretz Yisrael-Part 1?[1] A. The law: Obligation: It is debated amongst the Poskim[2] as to whether there is a positive Biblical command and obligation to dwell in Eretz Yisrael even during times of exile. According to all opinions, however, there is […]