Question: [Tuesday, 14th Adar 1, 5782] On Shabbos, someone told me that the size of the Choshen was actually really small, as small as the palm of one’s hand, and that the pictures which depict it as being very large are all inaccurate. Is this true? Answer: This is […]
Where is Mordechai and Esther buried?
This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me on Amazon.com Where is Mordechai and Esther buried? Mordechai is buried in the city of Shushan.[1] The tomb of Mordechai can be found in the city of Hamadan, Iran. Esther is buried in a Northern Galilean town called Baram.[2] She was buried […]
Hearing at least 10 Kaddeishim daily
Hearing at least 10 Kaddeishim daily: A. The law and custom:[1] The obligatory seven daily Kadeishim upon the Minyan:[2] The Sages instituted to recite at least seven Kadeishim per day, corresponding to the verse[3], “Sheva Bayom Hilalticha/seven in a day I will praise you.” These seven Kadeishim are an actual […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Saying Shehakol on drinks after Kiddush in Shul
Question: [Sunday, 5th Adar 1, 5782] After kiddush is said in Shul by Shabbos day, most people, myself included, do not usually drink from the kiddush wine and simply begin eating afterwards. I understand that drinking from the kiddush wine is not an obligation so that is not my question. […]
Parshas Tetzaveh-Summary of the Parsha
This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy now on Amazon.com Parshas Tetzaveh Pesukim: 101 [Siman: מיכאל] Haftorah: Yechezkal 43:10-27 Number of Mitzvos: There are Seven Mitzvos in Parshas Tetzaveh. Four positive commands and three negative command. A. Positive commands: 1. Mitzvah 98/Positive 40: To have candles […]
Likkutei Sichos-Parshas Tetzaveh: When running away from sin there is no place for political correctness
Parshas Tetzaveh When running away from sin there is no place for political correctness (Likkutei Sichos Vol. 16 Sicha 2) In Parshas Tetzaveh, we learn of the garments of the priests. A regular priest had four priestly garments which he would wear during his temple service while the high priest […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Giving counseling sessions on Erev Shabbos in afternoon
Question: [Thursday, 9th Adar 1, 5782] I work as a therapist, and I would like to know if I may schedule counseling sessions for Friday afternoon. I am asking because I understood that ideally you are not supposed to work on Friday afternoon. Is this type of work also included […]
Calling up someone for Maftir if he does not know how to read the Haftorah
Calling up someone for Maftir if he does not know how to read the Haftorah:[1] The dispute in Poskim: Some Poskim[2] rule that it is permitted to call up for Maftir an individual who does not know to read the Haftorah, and then have another individual read the Haftorah [with […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Must one pay for the elevator condo fee [i.e. Vaad Bayit] if he always uses the stairs or lives by the ground floor
Question: [Wednesday, 8th Adar 1, 5782] We have a year’s long dispute in our apartment building with the building management regarding if those who live by the entrance or who only use the stairs need to contribute towards payment for the elevator maintenance and monthly electricity bill. He of course […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Source and meaning behind child being taught Torah in his mother’s womb
Question: [Tuesday, 7th Adar 1, 5782] There is a known saying that while in the mother’s womb, the baby is taught the entire Torah, and prior to birth he is flicked under the nose by his angelic teacher which causes him to forget all the Torah and causes him to […]