Subscribe to Receive PDF Halachah 1 — Opening of the Morning Service In the morning, the congregation sits while the chazan descends before the ark and recites Kaddish. The congregation responds fully, including Yehei shemei rabba. The chazan then calls Barchu, and proceeds to recite Kri’at Shema and its blessings aloud. Those […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 8: Communal Prayer, the Laws of a Minyan, and the Role of the Chazan Halachah 1 — The Power of Communal Prayer Communal prayer is always accepted Above, even if sinners are among the congregation. God does not reject the prayer of the […]

Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 7: Daily Blessings, Morning Practices, and the Order of Prayer Halachah 1 — Blessings Before Sleep The Sages instituted a special blessing before sleep, asking God to bring sleep peacefully, protect from harm and evil thoughts, and awaken the person to life and peace. This blessing concludes […]

Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 6: Conduct Surrounding Prayer: Communal Sensitivity, Interruptions, and Pre‑Prayer Restriction Halachah 1 — Passing Behind a Synagogue During Prayer One may not walk behind a synagogue while the congregation is praying, since this appears as disdain for communal prayer. Exceptions apply if: one is carrying a burden, […]

Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 5: The Proper Manner of the Amidah: Posture, Orientation, Conduct, and Supplication Halachah 1 — Eight Required Elements of Prayer Ideally, prayer requires attention to eight matters: standing facing the Temple preparation of the body proper clothing a fitting place proper voice control bowing prostration If one […]

Hilchos Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 4: Preparation for Prayer: Cleanliness, Concentration, and Proper Conduct Halachah 1 — Five Prerequisites for Prayer Five factors can prevent a person from praying even when the time has arrived: Cleanliness of the hands Proper covering of nakedness Cleanliness of the place of prayer Freedom from […]

Hilchos Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 3: The Appointed Times of Prayer and the Laws of Compensation for Missed Prayers Halachah 1 — Time of the Morning Prayer The proper time for Shacharit begins at sunrise and extends until the end of the fourth hour of the day. One who prays after […]

Hilchos Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 2: The Structure of the Amidah: Variations for Seasons, Sabbaths, Festivals, and Special Days Halachah 1 — The Nineteenth Blessing In the time of Rabban Gamliel, heretics increased and sought to harm Israel and turn Jews away from God. Therefore, he and his court instituted an […]

Hilchos Tefilah and Birkat Kohanim – Chapter 1: The Obligation of Daily Prayer and the Institution of the Fixed Prayer Services Halachah 1 — The Biblical Obligation of Daily Prayer There is a positive Scriptural commandment to pray every day. Prayer is defined as “service of the heart.” The Torah does not prescribe: […]

Hilchos Kerias Shema – Chapters 4: Exemptions from Kri’at Shema and the Laws of Distraction, Mourning, and Ritual Impurity   Halachah 1 — Who Is Exempt from Kri’at Shema Women, slaves, and children are exempt from Kri’at Shema. Nevertheless, children should be educated to recite the Shema at its proper time with its blessings. Anyone […]

Kri’at Shema – Chapter 1 Halachah 1 — Obligation to Recite the Shema Twice Daily There is a positive commandment to recite the Shema twice each day—once at night and once in the morning. This obligation is derived from the verse: “when you lie down and when you rise”, referring to the times […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Hilchos Teshuvah – Chapter 10: Serving Hashem Out of Love and the Highest Ideal of Divine Service Halachah 1 — Serving Hashem Out of Fear A person should not serve Hashem for the sake of reward or to avoid punishment. Service motivated by fear—whether of suffering in this […]

Join Our Virtual Community – Receive Daily Learning PDF Hilchos Teshuvah –  Chapter 9: Reward and Punishment in This World and the World to Come Halachah 1 — Worldly Blessings Are a Means, Not the Ultimate Reward The Torah’s promises of material blessing (peace, prosperity, security, success) and warnings of worldly suffering […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Hilchos Teshuvah –  Chapter 8: The World to Come: The True Reward of the Righteous and the Nature of Eternal Life Halachah 1 — The Reward of the Righteous: Life of the World to Come The ultimate good reserved for the righteous is life in the World to […]

Hilchos Teshuvah –  Chapter 7: The Greatness of Repentance and the Elevated Status of the Baal Teshuvah Halachah 1 — Lifelong Obligation to Repent Because free will is always present, a person should continually strive to do Teshuvah and confess his sins. One should seek to cleanse himself so that he may die […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Hilchos Teshuvah – Chapter 6: Withholding Repentance as Punishment and the Preservation of Free Will Halachah 1 — Divine Punishment and the Appearance of Coercion Certain verses appear to suggest that God removes a person’s free will. This is a misunderstanding. When a person or a nation sins […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Hilchos Teshuvah – Chapter 5: Free Will Halachah 1 — Human Free Will Every person is granted free will. If one desires to be righteous, the choice is his; if he desires to be wicked, the choice is his. No force compels a person toward good or evil. […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Halachah 1 — Severe Sins That Withhold the Opportunity for Teshuvah There are twenty‑four actions that impede Teshuvah. Four of them are exceptionally severe, to the extent that Heaven withholds the opportunity to repent: One who causes the many to sin, including preventing others from fulfilling mitzvot. […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Hilchos Teshuvah –  Chapter 3: Judgment According to Deeds, the Balance of Merit and Sin, and the World to Come Halachah 1 — Righteous, Wicked, and Beinoni Every person has merits and sins. One whose merits exceed his sins is righteous. One whose sins exceed his merits is […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Hilchos Teshuvah –  Chapter 2: The Nature of Teshuvah and the Ways by Which It Is Achieved Halachah 1 — Complete Teshuvah Complete Teshuvah is achieved when a person encounters the same situation in which he previously sinned, has the ability and desire to sin again, and nevertheless […]

Subscribe to Receive Daily PDF Hilchos Teshuvah – Chapter 1: The Mitzvah of Repentance and Confession Halachah 1 — The Mitzvah of Teshuvah and Verbal Confession When a person transgresses any mitzvah of the Torah—whether positive or negative, intentionally or unintentionally—repentance requires verbal confession before God. This confession is itself a positive […]

Hilchos Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 12: Prohibited Grooming, Bodily Markings, and Pagan Mourning Practices Halachah 1 — Shaving the Corners of the Head It is forbidden to shave the corners of the head (the temples) in the manner of idolaters. Each corner is a separate prohibition; shaving both incurs two sets […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Hilchos Avodat Kochavim –Chapter 11: Prohibited Imitation of Gentile Practices and the Rejection of Superstition and Occult Arts Halachah 1 — Not Imitating Gentile Statutes It is forbidden to follow gentile customs in dress, grooming, behavior, or architecture. Jews must remain distinct in appearance, conduct, ideals, and character. […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF Chapter 10: Covenants, Residence, and Social Relations with Idolaters Halachah 1 — No Covenant or Mercy Toward Idolaters It is forbidden to make a covenant with idolaters that allows them to continue idol worship. hey must renounce idolatry or be opposed. One may not show mercy by […]

Subscribe to Receive PDF  Hilchos Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 9: Commercial Relations with Idolaters and Prohibitions Related to Their Festivals and Worship Halachah 1 — Business Near Gentile Holidays It is forbidden to buy, sell, lend, borrow, repay loans, or accept payment from idolaters within three days before their festival (in […]

Hilchos Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 8: Objects Worshiped Without Human Modification, and the Laws of Nullification (Bitul) of Idolatry Halachah 1 — Natural Objects Worshiped: Generally Permitted; “Human Act” Creates Prohibition Anything not made or altered by human action remains permitted even if worshiped (e.g., mountains, hills, naturally existing trees, public […]

Hilchos Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 7: The Destruction of Idolatry and the Prohibition of Deriving Benefit from It Halachah 1 — Positive Command: Destroy Idolatry It is a positive commandment to destroy idols, their accessories, and all places of idolatrous worship. In Eretz Yisrael, one must actively pursue and eradicate idolatry; […]

Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 6: Forbidden Occult Practices, Molech Worship, and Pagan Ritual Structures Halachah 1 — The Practices of Ov One who knowingly performs the practices of an ov is liable to karet; if warned by witnesses, he is stoned. These practices include incense and incantations that create the illusion of voices […]

Hilchos Avodas Kochavim Chapter 5: The Laws of the Enticer, the False Prophet, and Speech Relating to Idolatry Six Core Mitzvot Highlighted in This Chapter (from Deuteronomy 13:2–12) This Chapter yields six key prohibitions concerning a mesit: Not to entice a single individual to idolatry Not to love the mesit […]

Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 4: The Laws of the Apostate City (Ir HaNidachas) Halachah 1 — The Crime of Leading a City Astray Those who lead a Jewish city to idolatry are executed by stoning, even if they themselves did not worship. The inhabitants who were led astray are executed by decapitation if they […]

Avodat Kochavim – Chapter 3: Liability for Idolatrous Worship and Its Forms of Service Halachah 1 — Punishment for Idolatrous Worship One who worships false gods intentionally and defiantly is liable to karet; if witnesses warned him, he is stoned to death. If the worship was unintentional, he must bring a fixed […]

Hilchos Avodas Kochavim Chapter 2: The Prohibition of Idolatry, Heretical Thought, and Blasphemy   Halachah 1 — The Core Prohibition of Idolatry The prohibition of idolatry forbids serving any created being—angels, celestial bodies, elements, or anything derived from them. Even one who acknowledges God as the true Creator but serves […]

Avodas Kochavim – Introduction The Laws of Avoda Zara and Their Statutes These laws comprise fifty‑one commandments, including two positive commandments and forty‑nine negative commandments, as detailed below: The Commandments Not to show interest in, inquire into, or investigate the worship of false gods. Not to stray after the thoughts […]

Hilchos Talmud Torah – Chapter 7: The Laws of Placing a Ban Halachah 1 — Caution in Ostracizing Torah Leaders A sage, the Nasi, or the Av Beit Din should not be publicly ostracized, even if they behave improperly, unless their conduct resembles that of severe heretics. Other sins should […]

Hilchos Talmud Torah – Chapter 6: The Honor and Awe Due to a Torah Scholar The Obligation to Honor All Torah Scholars It is a mitzvah to honor every Torah scholar, even if he is not one’s teacher. One must stand when the scholar comes within four cubits and remain […]

Hilchos Talmud Torah – Chapter 5: The Honor and Awe Due to a Teacher The Obligation to Honor and Fear One’s Teacher A person is obligated to honor and fear his Torah teacher even more than his father. While a father brings a child into this world, a teacher brings […]

Hilchos Talmud Torah – Chapter 4: Who May Teach, Who May Learn, and How Torah Is Taught   Worthiness of Teacher and Student (Halachic Gatekeeping) Proper students Torah should ideally be taught only to students of good conduct, or at least those whose behavior is unknown. A person with bad […]

Talmud Torah – Chapter 3: The Path to Acquiring the Crown of Torah Halachah 1 — The Crown of Torah Israel received three crowns: Torah, priesthood, and kingship. The crown of Torah is open to every Jew who desires it. It surpasses the other crowns, for Torah grants authority even […]

Hilchos Talmud Torah – Chapter 2: The Organization and Standards of Torah Education Halachah 1 — Communal Obligation to Provide Torah Education Every land, region, and village must have teachers for young children. If a community fails to appoint teachers, its residents are placed under ostracism until they do so. […]

Hilchos Talmud Torah – Chapter 1: The Commandment of Torah Study and How It Is Fulfilled Halachah 1 — Who Is Obligated to Learn and Teach Women, slaves, and minors are exempt from the mitzvah of Torah study. Nevertheless, a father is obligated to teach his son Torah while he […]

De’ot – Chapter 7: Lashon Hora, Revenge, and Social Integrity Halachah 1 — The Prohibition of Gossip Speaking gossip about another person violates a Torah prohibition. Although there is no corporal punishment for this sin, it is extremely severe, as it can lead to the loss of life. The Torah […]

Hilchos De’ot Chapter 6: Influence, Love of Others, Rebuke, and Protection of the Vulnerable Halacha 1 – The Power of Social Influence A person’s character and actions are shaped by friends and environment. One must associate with the righteous and wise and distance oneself from the wicked. If one lives […]

Hilchos De’ot – Chapter 5: The Conduct of the Torah Sage in Personal, Social, and Financial Life Halacha 1 – The Sage Is Recognized by Refined Conduct A Torah Sage is distinguished not only by wisdom and character but by dignified behavior in every aspect of life—eating, drinking, intimacy, speech, […]

Hilchos Deios – Chapter 4: A list of health directives Halacha 1: The obligation to lead a healthy lifestyle Being that maintaining a healthy body is part of one’s service of God as and cannot properly comprehend God and his wisdom if he is sick and weak, therefore one is […]

Hilchos Deios –  Chapter 3: not to be an ascetic and for all one’s deeds to be for the sake of heaven Halacha 1: Not to live an ascetic life and practice eccentric abstinence A person should not be radical and say that since jealousy lust and honor is evil […]

Hilchos Deios – Chapter 2: Mending one’s character and learning a proper balance Halacha 1: The illness of desiring bad character and the doctors who treat it Bodily illnesses: Just as there are people with physical illnesses and health problems, in which the sweet taste bitter and the bitter taste […]

Chapter 1:  Character Development and Moral Balance – The Middle Path: Halachah 1 — The Range of Human Character Traits Every person possesses many character traits, and these traits differ greatly from one another. People vary widely: some are quick‑tempered while others are calm; some are proud while others are […]

Chapter 10: The miracles a prophet must perform to prove his validity Halacha 1: The qualification of doing miracles-Predicting the future Nature breaking miracles: A prophet which claims to have been sent by G-d, does Not need to perform a nature breaking miracle on the level of Moshe or Eliyahu […]

Yesodei haTorah – Chapter 9 Halachah 1 — The Torah Is Eternal and Cannot Be Changed The Torah explicitly states that its commandments are forever, with no possibility of change, addition, or subtraction. Verses such as “Do not add and do not subtract,” “For us and our children forever,” and […]

Chapter 8: Why We Believe in Moses and Why Miracles Are Not Proof Halachah 1 — Why We Believe in Moses and Why Miracles Are Not Proof The Jewish people did not believe in Moses because of the miracles he performed. Belief based on miracles is unstable, because wonders can […]

 Hilchos Yesodei Hatorah Chapter 7: Prophecy Halacha 1: The fundament of prophecy in Judaism and who is eligible for it It is a fundament of the Jewish faith that G-d provides prophecy to humans. Who is eligible for prophecy: Prophecy is only given to a person with the following characteristics: […]

Chapter 6: The names of G-d Halacha 1: The prohibition against destroying the name of G-d Anyone who destroys [i.e. erases] one of the holy names of G-d receives biblical lashes. Halacha 2: The seven names There are total of seven names of G-d under the above transgression: Yud Kei […]

Chapter 5: Laws of Kiddush Hashem versus Chilul Hashem Halacha 1: The mitzvah to sanctify G-d’s name and to which commands it does not apply Kiddush Hashem: All the Jewish people are commanded to sanctify G-d’s great name. Chillul Hashem: Likewise, they are commanded against desecrating his name. Transgressing a […]

Chapter 4: Maaseh Bereishis-The wisdom & science behind creation   Halacha 1: All creations are made up of the four elements The four elements: There are four fundamental elements of creation which are: fire, wind, water, and earth All earthly creations are made up of these four elements. This includes […]

Hilchos Yesodei haTorah – Chapter 3: The Structure of the Heavens and the Foundations of Creation A systematic outline of the structure of the heavens, the spheres, the elements, and their spiritual nature The Nine Spheres (Heavens) The Sages taught that the heavens (also called “firmament,” “habitation,” “skies”) consist of […]

Hilchos Yesodei haTorah – Chapter 2 The Commandments to Love and Fear G-d There is a positive commandment to love G-d. There is a positive commandment to fear (awe) G-d. These are derived from “You shall love G-d…” and “Fear G-d…” How to Attain Love and Fear of G-d The […]

 Hilchos Yesodei Hatorah – Chapter 1: The Foundations of Divine Existence and Unity   Halacha 1 – G-d as the Primary Being Everything begins with the knowledge that there exists a Primary Being who brings all existence into being. All created beings depend entirely on His existence. Halacha 2 – […]

The Fourteen Books of the Mishneh Torah – Part 2   Book 10-The book of Taharah: Number of subjects in book: Eight. The laws of impurity of a corpse. The laws of the red-Heifer. The laws of leprosy. The laws of impurity imparted on a bed and seat. The laws […]

The Fourteen Books of the Mishneh Torah – Part 2 Book 5 — Sefer Kedushah (The Book of Holiness) Contains three halachot: Laws of Forbidden Intimate Relations 37 mitzvot total • 1 positive commandment • 36 negative commandments Positive Commandment The High Priest must marry a virgin maiden. Negative Commandments […]

The Fourteen Books of the Mishneh Torah – Part 1 This title has been divided into 14 books. The first book-Mada: Includes all of the commands relating to the fundamentals of Judaism, which a person must know before anything else such as G-d’s unity, and the prohibition of idolatry and […]

Negative Commandments – Part 3 Theft, Property, and Economic Integrity (Mitzvot 245–255) Do not rob. Do not move boundary markers to steal land. Do not oppress another person financially. Do not deny your financial obligations. Do not swear falsely regarding money owed. Do not cheat in business transactions. Do not […]

  Negative Commandments — Part 2   I. Korban Pesach & Kodashim (Mitzvot 123–147) 123. Do not remove the meat of the Korban Pesach from its designated group. 124. Do not bake leftover Minchah portions as chametz. 125. Do not eat the Korban Pesach raw or boiled. 126. Do not […]

Negative Commandments — Part 1 (Lo Ta’aseh 1–122) Avodah Zarah — Idolatry & Forbidden Beliefs Do not allow into your thoughts the idea that any G-d exists besides Hashem. Do not make an idol or image — neither by your hand nor by commissioning others. Do not make an idol […]

The Positive Commandments — Part 3 Moed — Sukkot & Shemini Atzeret Rest on the eighth day of the festival (Shemini Atzeret). Sit in the sukkah for seven days. Take the lulav and the Four Species. Rosh Hashanah & Half‑Shekel Hear the sound of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. Give […]

Rambam’s List of Commands – Part 2   The positive commands: Korbanot & Kodashim Offer all korbanot only in the Beit HaBechirah. Bring all sanctified offerings from outside Israel to the Beit HaBechirah. Redeem blemished consecrated animals so they may be eaten. Declare the temurah animal holy if one attempts […]

Rambam’s List of Commands – Part 1 The positive commands: The first of the positive commands is to know that there is a G-d. To unify Him. To love Him. To fear Him. To pray to Him. To attach to Him. To swear using Him name. To act like Him […]

Hakdama-Rambam’s introduction to Mishnah Torah – Part 3 The chronological order of the teaching of Torah from Moshe on Sinai until today The laws in the Talmud are binding upon all Israel: The above ability for a later court to reject the decrees of a previous court only applies regarding […]

Hakdama-Rambam’s introduction to Mishnah Torah – Part 2 The chronological order of the teaching of Torah from Moshe on Sinai until today The writing of the Mishna, and the history of Jewish literature: It’s author: Rabbeinu Hakadosh wrote the Mishnah. The history of Jewish literature until the writing of the […]

Hakdama-Rambam’s introduction to Mishnah Torah The chronological order of the teaching of Torah from Moshe on Sinai until today   From Sinai until Yehoshua-The giving over of the written and oral Torah: The oral Torah was also given on Sinai: All the mitzvahs that were given to Moshe on Sinai […]

Chapter 12: The times of the Messiah Halacha 1: No change in nature A person should not believe that there will be a change in the nature of the world in the future ever. Rather, the world will act in his natural order. Those verses in Scripture which depict a […]

Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 11: The King Messiah Halacha 1: The actions to be performed by the Messiah Re-instilling the Davidic dynasty: The Messiah will re-instill the monarchy of David to its original state of power. Building the temple: The Messiah will rebuild the Temple. Gathering the dispersed of Israel: […]

Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 10: Noahide laws-Cont Halacha 1: A Gentile who inadvertently transgressed [i.e. Shogeg] General rule: A Gentile who transgressed inadvertently, due to error, is exempt from liability. Example by adultery: For example, if he had relations with a married woman thinking it was his wife, or a […]

Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 9: The Seven Noahide Laws and Their Legal Framework Halacha 1 – The Seven Noahide Laws and Their Origins Adam was commanded six laws: Prohibition of idolatry Prohibition of blasphemy Prohibition of murder Prohibition of forbidden sexual relations Prohibition of theft Obligation to establish courts For […]

Chapter 8: Laws of the Yefat To’ar and Conduct in Captive Territory Halacha 1 – Permitted Foods in Enemy Territory When Israel’s army enters enemy territory and captures it, soldiers may eat non‑kosher meat—including neveilot, tereifot, and even pork—if no other food is available. They may also drink wine used […]

Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 7: The Meshuach Milchamah and Rules of Military Exemption Halacha 1 – Appointing the Meshuach Milchamah In both obligatory and optional wars, a special priest—the meshuach milchamah—is appointed and anointed with the anointing oil to address the soldiers before battle. Halacha 2 – Two Speeches of […]

Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 6: Laws of Offering Peace, Conducting War, and Maintaining Holiness in the Camp Halacha 1 – Requirement to Offer Peace Before War A king may not wage war—neither optional nor obligatory—until he first offers peace. If the enemy accepts peace and agrees to keep the Seven […]

Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 5: Laws of War and Dwelling in the Land Halacha 1 – Priority of Wars A king must first wage a milchemet mitzvah (obligatory war) before any other war. These include: War against the seven nations of Canaan. War against Amalek. War to defend Israel from […]

Join Our Virtual Community – Receive Daily Learning PDF Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 4: The King’s Rights and Authority Halacha 1 – Power to Levy Taxes The king may levy taxes on the nation for his needs or for war. He may impose duties on merchandise, and it is forbidden […]

Join Our Virtual Community – Receive Daily Learning PDF Chapter 3: The King’s Conduct and Authority Halacha 1 – Writing a Torah Scroll The king must write a Torah scroll for himself in addition to the one inherited from his ancestors. If no scroll was left, he writes two: one […]

Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 2: The Honor and Conduct of Kings Halacha 1 – Obligation to Honor the King The king must be treated with great honor, and awe of him must be instilled in everyone’s heart. We may not ride his horse, sit on his throne, use his scepter, […]

Join Our Virtual Torah Study Community & Receive Daily Learning Content Melachim uMilchamot – Chapter 1: The Laws of Kings and Their Appointment Halacha 1 – Three Mitzvot Upon Entering the Land Israel was commanded to fulfill three mitzvot upon entering the Land: Appoint a king (Deuteronomy 17:15). Erase Amalek’s […]

Chapter 14: Acts of Kindness, Visiting the Sick, and Burial Laws Rabbinic Commandments of Kindness It is a positive Rabbinic commandment to visit the sick, comfort mourners, prepare for funerals, assist a bride, accompany guests, attend to all burial needs, carry a corpse on one’s shoulders, walk before the bier, […]

Chapter 13: Comforting Mourners and Limits of Grief 1. How Mourners Are Comforted After the burial, the mourners gather at the side of the cemetery. Those who attended the funeral form lines around them, with each line consisting of at least ten people, not counting the mourners themselves. 2. Words […]

Obligation of Eulogy and Burial A eulogy is considered an honor for the deceased. Therefore, heirs are compelled to pay the wages of men and women who recite laments and eulogize the deceased. If the deceased instructed that no eulogy be given, we respect that wish. However, if the deceased […]

Chapter 11: Mourning During Festivals and Wedding Celebrations Rending Garments and Bread of Comfort on Festivals Although mourning rites are not observed during a festival, one should tear his garments for the deceased and uncover his shoulder during Chol HaMoed. Similarly, mourners should receive the bread of comfort during Chol […]

Chapter 10: Mourning on Shabbat and Festivals Mourning on the Sabbath The Sabbath is counted as one of the seven days of mourning. However, mourning laws are not observed publicly on the Sabbath. Private practices such as veiling one’s head, refraining from marital relations, and avoiding washing with hot water […]

Chapter 9: Rending Garments and Mourning Honors   1. Sewing and Mending Garments After Mourning When a person tears his garments for the death of a relative other than a parent, he may sew the tear after seven days and mend it after thirty days. For the death of a […]

Chapter 8: The laws of Keriah Halacha 1: The obligation It is an obligation for an Avel to tear his clothing at the event of the passing of a relative [for which he needs to keep Aveilus]. Standing: One is obligated to perform the Keriah in a standing position. Halacha […]

Chapter 7: Shemua Kerova, Rechoka, Kohen Gadol, King Shemua Kerova vs. Shemua Rechoka Shemua Kerova: If a person hears that a close relative has died within thirty days of the death—even on the thirtieth day—the report is considered proximate. The mourner must observe seven days of mourning starting from the […]

Chapter 6: Restrictions during Shloshim and 12 months Duration of Extended Mourning Rabbinic law requires some mourning practices for 30 days. Source: Deuteronomy 21:13 – “She shall cry for her father and mother for a month.” Five Prohibitions for 30 Days Cutting hair Wearing freshly ironed white clothes Marrying Entering […]

Chapter 5: The Matters forbidden for an Avel During Shiva Overview A mourner is forbidden 11 activities: Cutting hair Laundering clothes Washing or anointing Sexual relations Wearing shoes Performing work Studying Torah Standing bed upright (must overturn) Leaving head uncovered Greeting others Engaging in frivolity or celebrations On the first […]

Chapter 4: Minhagei Taharah Customs for Preparing the Deceased Close the eyes and tie the jaw if open. Wash the body, seal orifices, anoint with fragrances, trim hair, and dress in simple white linen shrouds. Shrouds should be inexpensive; Sages used a cloak worth a zuz to avoid embarrassing the […]

Chapter 3: The prohibition for a Kohen to defile himself to the dead Halacha 1: The prohibition and liability for lashes Any Kohen which defiles himself to any corpse other than the six relatives mentioned in the Torah, or his wife, is liable for the penalty of lashes. Witnesses and […]

Chapter 2: The relatives that one must mourn for and that a priest must defile himself on behalf of Halacha 1: The relatives that one must mourn for Biblical: A person is biblically obligated to mourn after the death of the following relatives: Mother Father Son Daughter One’s paternal brother […]

Chapter 1: The Mitzvah to mourn Halacha 1: The Mitzvah to mourn It is a positive command for one to mourn the death of a relative. The biblical obligation-The first day: Biblically, one is only required to mourn on the day of the death and burial. The Rabbinical obligation-The remaining […]

Chapter 7: Ben Sorer Umoreh-The rebellious child                                                                                       Halacha 1: The scriptural source for the punishment The punishment: Scripture explicitly states that a rebellious child receives capital punishment through stoning. The source: The actual scriptural warning is found in a different verse which states that one may not eat over […]

Chapter 6: Honoring and fearing one’s parents                                                                                       Halacha 1: Its greatness Great positive command: Honoring and fearing one’s father and mother is a great positive command in the Torah. Weighed equal to the Mitzvah to honor and fear God: This command to honor and fear one’s parents is weighed […]

Chapter 5: Cursing and hitting one’s parent                    Halacha 1: Cursing and hitting one’s parent Cursing parent: One who curses his father or mother is liable for Sekila [i.e. death by stoning]. After death: This liability for Sekila for cursing one’s parent applies even after the death of the parents. […]

Chapter 4: By what disputes is a person deemed a Zakein Mamrei Halacha 1: The manner of dispute which deems one a Zakein Mamrei If he is lenient while the Supreme Court is stringent: A person is deemed a Zakein Mamrei whether he argues for leniency or stringency regarding a […]

Chapter 3: The law of a Heretic and Zakein Marei Halacha 1: A person who denies the old tradition A person who denies the oral tradition is considered a heretic and is liable for death by all people. Such an individual is not considered a rebellious Sage known as a […]