A commonly asked question relates to an onion cut with a Fleishig knife and then placed in the food processor. Does it render the appliance Fleishig itself that one could no longer chop an onion in it to place in … Continue reading
Chanuka and Learning Torah
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In the Al HaNissim insertion to Shmona Esrei and Birkas HaMazon, we mention that the Greeks attempted to cause us to forget the Torah. How can a person cause someone else to forget? Could they induce amnesia, and how? If this attempt to make … Continue reading
Parshas Va’Yishlach
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In this week’s Parsha, we read about the fateful meeting between Ya’akov Avinu and his estranged brother, Eisav. In the course of Ya’akov’s preparations, Pasuk 32:23 describes how he assisted his two wives, two maidservants and eleven children cross the Yabok River. … Continue reading
The Beracha on Doughnuts and Sufganiyot
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The traditional Sufganiya, and all doughnuts, present an interesting conundrum in Hilchos Berachos for G-d fearing Jews. The Shulchan Aruch in Orach Chaim 168:13 states that any boiled or deep-fried dough is automatically Mezonos and not HaMotzi. However, he subsequently quotes a … Continue reading
Parshas Toldos-Appreciating Rashi
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When I first came to learn in Eretz Yisroel as a young bachur, I learned in the Brisker Yeshiva of HaRav Dovid Soloveitzik shlita. One of the highlights of Yeshiva is Reb Dovid’s Friday night Chumash Shiur, where he would frequently instruct us … Continue reading
Frying Schnitzels
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The following is a very stimulating question I was recently asked: I was frying schnitzels on the stovetop in three different frying pans, and realized afterwards that one of the pans was Milchig. Not only was that pan Milchig, it had been … Continue reading
Dividing Challa
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It is well known that there is a minimum quantity of dough that must be mixed to obligate the separation of Challa, especially with a Beracha. It is somewhat less publicized that if one created a sufficient amount but with the … Continue reading
An Urgent Hurricane Notice Regarding the Kesuba
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Among the many things on the minds of those attempting to recover in Sandy’s wake, I would like to mention a Halachic point that I suspect few people have considered. Halacha dictates that a married couple must be in constant … Continue reading
Kiddush Levana
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Question: “It is possible to recite birkat halevana from indoors if one can see the moon through a window (open or closed) or is it necessary to be outdoors? Are there any dispensations if one is ill..?” Answer: The Rema in OC … Continue reading
Parshas Noach – Birkas HaGomel
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As a guest in Shul, I heard a Rav ask an interesting question. He inquired why Noach at the conclusion of the Mabul brought a Korban Olah and not a Todah, which would more appropriately parallel the Birkas HaGomel required of one who completed a sea … Continue reading