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
A Practical Guide to Selecting the Arba Minim
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I see many individuals who are completely lost when shopping for their Arba Minim. To aid and facilitate your purchase of the Lulav and Esrog etc, I am posting general guidelines. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask … Continue reading
Simanim of Rosh HaShana
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After mentioning a number of methods one can employ on the night of Rosh HaShana to determine if one is destined to survive the year, Abaye declares in the Gemara Kerisus 6a “Now that we have determined that Simana Milsa (symbolism is significant), … Continue reading
Rosh HaShana
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There is a long standing Minhag not to eat nuts on Rosh HaShana due to the fact that the Hebrew word for nuts, Egoz, shares the same numerical value as the Hebrew word for Sin, Chet. The symbolic parallel of having … Continue reading
Waiting 6 Hours after Challa?
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The Sefer Maadanei HaShulchan writes that if one warms Challa on top of the Cholent pot, it becomes Fleishig to the point where if one would eat a slice of the Challa, he would be required to refrain from Milchigs for … Continue reading
Hilchos Selichos
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The Minhag of Ashkenazim is to commence Selichos this coming Motzei Shabbos. Consequently, I would like to present a summary of its relevant Halachos. It has been observed that the common expression of “Saying Selichos” is a misnomer. The term “Selichos” … Continue reading
Pas Yisroel
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QUESTION: I understand there is a Halacha of Pas Yisrael (Jewish bread). Is the issue of Pas Yisrael only relevant in Elul or between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? I believe I heard a Rabbi say that during the 10 Days of Penitence we must … Continue reading
The Bracha for Schnitzel
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Generally speaking, a food only has a single Beracha. This means that an item classified a single food will not usually require more than one Beracha, despite the components of the food entailing distinct Berachos when eaten separately. Sometimes, it … Continue reading
Lechem Mishneh
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I was recently asked an interesting question. We strive to use two complete loaves of bread for each of the three Seudos on Shabbos. It is not uncommon, especially for those fortunate enough to have homemade Challa, that the loaves may … Continue reading
Parshas Shoftim-A Question regarding Divination
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An interesting question occurred to me during Kriyas HaTorah, and I don’t have a good answer off-hand. If anyone has any suggestions, I would very much enjoy hearing them. In Devarim 18:10-11 we are enjoined to avoid various methods of divination, and … Continue reading