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הערות לגליון כתרגומו פ׳ חיי שרה תשפ״ו: במה שכתבו בנוגע לתרגום אונקלוס שפי׳ ארם נהריים ״דעל נהר פרת״ - הנה, גם בפירש״י (המיוחס אליו) דה״א יט, ו כתב שיושבת על נהר פרת. והנה בל׳ ״בין שתי נהרות״ - בכלל,… הערות לגליון כתרגומו פ׳ חיי שרה תשפ״ו: במה שכתבו בנוגע לתרגום אונקלוס שפי׳ ארם נהריים ״דעל נהר פרת״ - הנה, גם בפירש״י (המיוחס אליו) דה״א יט, ו כתב שיושבת על נהר פרת. והנה בל׳ ״בין שתי נהרות״ - בכלל, בכ״מ בתורה הנהר מכוון לפרת, כבבלק כב, ה. יהושע כד, ב ובתרגום שם ושם. וראה אדרת אליהו בלק שם. ולשון בין הנהרות (עירובין יט, א. קדושין עב, א. ירושלמי יבמות א, ו, אם נאמר שהכוונה לארם נהריים. ואכ״מ) בה״א הידיעה משמע שהכוונה לנהרות הידועות מכבר. ולא אמנה ופרפר. כן להעיר מל׳ המדרש שוח״ט א: דוד קרע את הנהרות. ולהעיר, שבערוך…Show more
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There is a halachic requirement l’hashmiah l’aznav (to hear yourself speak) while performing certain mitzvos, such as davening or bentching (reciting an after-blessing). This means actually saying each word audibly. This practice can be difficult under very noisy circumstances—such… There is a halachic requirement l’hashmiah l’aznav (to hear yourself speak) while performing certain mitzvos, such as davening or bentching (reciting an after-blessing). This means actually saying each word audibly. This practice can be difficult under very noisy circumstances—such as attempting to recite birchas hamazon (Grace After Meals) at a wedding while music is blasting so loudly that it’s impossible to hear your friend even if he’s shouting! (Whether the extreme volume of the music at weddings is halachically acceptable is another discussion, since many scientific studies warn of the danger posed by repeated exposure to such high-decibel sound.)…Show more
Question: I heard you shouldn't recite Krias Shema in pajamas, and that it's better to say it while still in regular clothes. But what if I'm planning to change into pajamas and not go to bed right afterward? For… Question: I heard you shouldn't recite Krias Shema in pajamas, and that it's better to say it while still in regular clothes. But what if I'm planning to change into pajamas and not go to bed right afterward? For example, if I'm planning to work for a couple of hours afterward, is it better to say Shema and continue working, or wait until right before I go to bed, even though I'm in pajamas? Answer: Although you may recite Shema in pajamas, provided you are appropriately covered, the proper way is to recite the full Krias Shema while…Show more
The term kezayis is frequently found in Torah sources. A kezayis is the volume of an average-sized olive. However, there is a difference of opinion amongst early authorities as to the volume of an average-sized olive. Many Rishonim maintain… The term kezayis is frequently found in Torah sources. A kezayis is the volume of an average-sized olive. However, there is a difference of opinion amongst early authorities as to the volume of an average-sized olive. Many Rishonim maintain that a kezayis is approximately the equivalent of half an average-sized egg (without its shell). Another opinion is that a kezayis is slightly less than a third of an egg (with its shell). Regarding a Torah rule, such as eating a kezayis of matzah on the first night of Pesach, we must be stringent and go by the larger shiur…Show more
יש להקפיד באמצע קריאת שמע שעל המטה כמו בק״ש דאורייתא. ולא יפסיק בשיחה בטלה ובחנם. אבל אם שומע דבר שבקדושה חייב להפסיק, וכן לענות אמן על כל הברכות.
Poskim write that someone with a very loud voice should be appointed to lead Birchas Hamazon, as it is important for participants to hear the voice of the leader so he may be motzi them (help them fulfill their… Poskim write that someone with a very loud voice should be appointed to lead Birchas Hamazon, as it is important for participants to hear the voice of the leader so he may be motzi them (help them fulfill their obligation) in reciting the brachos. Yet today, it is quite common for a microphone to be used at large gatherings, particularly at weddings and Sheva Brachos meals. “Rabbosei mir vellen benchen …” the voice of the leader of the zimmun (lit., invitation, this is the call to a minimum of two additional participants for Birchas Hamazon) can be…Show more
Question: I have Maaser tzedakah money set aside in a separate account. Am I permitted to distribute this money over several months, or even a year, as needs and opportunities arise? Or is there a halachic requirement to give… Question: I have Maaser tzedakah money set aside in a separate account. Am I permitted to distribute this money over several months, or even a year, as needs and opportunities arise? Or is there a halachic requirement to give the Ma’aser out within a relatively short time of receiving the income or capital from which the Ma’aser was calculated? In other words, does Ma’aser need to be distributed soon after it is set aside, or can it remain in a separate account for me to distribute over time? Answer: You may distribute over time, but not wait too…Show more
Halacha does not require this, but halachic sources support the practice.
The issue of Orla, of not eating fruit during the first three years of a tree’s life -- and sometimes during the fourth year as well (Neta Revai) -- was not such an issue in previous… The issue of Orla, of not eating fruit during the first three years of a tree’s life -- and sometimes during the fourth year as well (Neta Revai) -- was not such an issue in previous years. In the past, many trees would not produce fruit for the first three years anyway. The issues of Orla that Poskim addressed in those times were regarding those trees which are questionable if Halachically they are considered fruit trees or vegetable shrubs. As today there are many modern agricultural techniques, one can buy a sapling from a nursery, which…Show more
Question: Someone gifted us a cutting board with our names engraved on it for our wedding. May we use it on Shabbos? Seemingly, every time we use it, we are cutting into the letters. Answer: You may.
In a meal of bread, one must bentch in the place of the meal, in the same place where they ate. If the person leaves the place where they ate, and it is before the Shiur called Shiur Ikkul,… In a meal of bread, one must bentch in the place of the meal, in the same place where they ate. If the person leaves the place where they ate, and it is before the Shiur called Shiur Ikkul, the time it takes for food to be digested, they may - and must - still bentch. One is required to go back to the place where they ate and bentch over there. According to some opinions, if one left the original Mokom Seuda deliberately and does not go back, they may not have fulfilled their Chiyuv of bentching if…Show more
שאלה: ביום שישי בצהרים אפיתי עוגות והכנסתי אותם ל10 שקיות קשורות בקשר ועניבה על גבי הקשר, והכנסתי את הכול למקפיא. ובשעת הקשירה החלטתי ש5 שקיות מה10 אשתמש מחר לשבת זו ו5 שקיות הנשארות אשמור במקפיא עד לשבת בעוד חודש.… שאלה: ביום שישי בצהרים אפיתי עוגות והכנסתי אותם ל10 שקיות קשורות בקשר ועניבה על גבי הקשר, והכנסתי את הכול למקפיא. ובשעת הקשירה החלטתי ש5 שקיות מה10 אשתמש מחר לשבת זו ו5 שקיות הנשארות אשמור במקפיא עד לשבת בעוד חודש. השאלה היא, האם מותר לי להתיר את הקשר ביום השבת? אולי יש בזה משום מלאכת מתיר כי בשעת הקשירה החלטתי בוודאי ש5 שקיות לא אשתמש בהם עד לחודש הבא, והוי קשר של קיימא דרבנן, רק שבשעת הקשירה לא נתברר לי איזה מהם הם של קיימא ויתברר מחר בשבת. ובסימן שיז בשו״ע אדה״ז יש לומר שאין זה כהציור שבסעי א׳ אלא…Show more
If a person has been eating and resolves [in their heart], gamar belibo, not to eat or drink any more, it is considered hesach ha-daas (a mental interruption in the meal), and the halachah is that if they change… If a person has been eating and resolves [in their heart], gamar belibo, not to eat or drink any more, it is considered hesach ha-daas (a mental interruption in the meal), and the halachah is that if they change their mind and decide to eat or drink further, they have to make a new brachah. However, if this happens during a seudah, a fixed meal (usually after washing for bread), the halachah is somewhat different: Since during a meal a person often decides to stop eating and then reconsiders, the hesach ha-daas is not absolute, and according to one…Show more
מטה היא כלי שמלאכתו להיתר, ומותר להזיזו אם יש צורך. אבל אין להתעסק בסידור רהיטים.
Birchos Hashachar are found in the Gemara, and it says that each brachah should be recited after the activity it alludes to was performed or took place. For example, upon opening our eyes, the brachah of Pokeach Ivrim (Blessed… Birchos Hashachar are found in the Gemara, and it says that each brachah should be recited after the activity it alludes to was performed or took place. For example, upon opening our eyes, the brachah of Pokeach Ivrim (Blessed are You … Who opens the eyes of the blind) should be said, upon arising from bed, the brachah of Zokeif Kefufim (Blessed are You … Who straightens the bent) should be said, and so on. It has become the custom, however, to say all of these brachos one after another right after the ritual washing of our hands upon…Show more
Question: If a woman sings a recording and then puts it into AI and changes the voice to a male voice, is there any issue of kol Isha? Answer: AI-generated music generally follows the same Halachic guidelines as… Question: If a woman sings a recording and then puts it into AI and changes the voice to a male voice, is there any issue of kol Isha? Answer: AI-generated music generally follows the same Halachic guidelines as regular music. If the final product fully resembles Jewish music in its lyrics, rhythm, message, style, and overall character, then it is treated as Jewish music, regardless of the fact that AI generated it. Non-Jewish tunes, listening during Sefira or the Three Weeks, or issues of Kol Isha* - those same concerns would generally apply to AI music as well.…Show more
When choosing a mohel to perform a bris milah, it is vital to ascertain that he is a trained professional, experienced and expert, as well as an observant, G-d-fearing Jew who does not change one iota of our… When choosing a mohel to perform a bris milah, it is vital to ascertain that he is a trained professional, experienced and expert, as well as an observant, G-d-fearing Jew who does not change one iota of our mesorah, tradition, as it has been practiced throughout the generations. The mohel should not numb the area with a local anesthetic and should not use gloves, as that can be considered a bizui mitzvah, a disgrace for the mitzvah (See Article #842). Moreover, the gloves get in the way of performing priah with the nail, as described…Show more
שאלה: איך מודדים הקיבורת אצל בחור בר מצוה? כשהשריר מתוח או סגור? האם גם המעברתא צריך להיות בחצי התחתון? האם כדאי לקנות של יד קטן יותר (אם כי בגובה ׳הרגיל׳ (אצבעיים) כי בתים קטנים לא יכילו גובה הפרשיות הנפוצות… שאלה: איך מודדים הקיבורת אצל בחור בר מצוה? כשהשריר מתוח או סגור? האם גם המעברתא צריך להיות בחצי התחתון? האם כדאי לקנות של יד קטן יותר (אם כי בגובה ׳הרגיל׳ (אצבעיים) כי בתים קטנים לא יכילו גובה הפרשיות הנפוצות אצלינו בכתב אדה״ז)? תשובה: מודדים כשהזרוע פשוטה וישרה ומבחוץ. יש מחלוקת האם גם המעברתא צריך להיות בחצי התחתון. ולכתחילה יש להחמיר. לקנות לקטנים של יד קטן ביותר - בדרך כלל אין צורך. במקרה שמדובר בנער קטן ביותר, יש לקנות בתים קטנים. Show more
Some are particular to have it set up in another room and bring it only afterwards. Others bring it before, but have them all covered. Strictly speaking, you don't need to wait until after kiddush to bring it. And… Some are particular to have it set up in another room and bring it only afterwards. Others bring it before, but have them all covered. Strictly speaking, you don't need to wait until after kiddush to bring it. And it is even advantageous to have it all on the table before. Show more
Traveling on a cruise ship brings with it a host of halachic concerns regarding shmiras Shabbos (observing the laws of Shabbos): If the captain and/or the crew are Jewish, we would be responsible for their inevitable chillul Shabbos (desecration… Traveling on a cruise ship brings with it a host of halachic concerns regarding shmiras Shabbos (observing the laws of Shabbos): If the captain and/or the crew are Jewish, we would be responsible for their inevitable chillul Shabbos (desecration of the Shabbos). Likewise, if half or more of the passengers are Jewish, any forbidden work done by the non-Jewish crew on Shabbos would be considered to be directly for our benefit. Finally, if the cruise company is owned by Jews, which is especially likely if the boat is Israeli, we would be abetting the owner in hiring non-Jews to…Show more
ע״פ האריז״ל, ראה שעה״כ דרושי תפלין ו ועוד, וכמ״ש באות חיים ממונקאטש לב, יז, והוא כדעת הב״ח או״ח לב, ד״ה ואין שיעור (הביאו בקיצור במג״א נו), והא״ר שם סג, וא״ז שם לט, והובא וכפי שסתם גם בתניא אגה״ק י.… ע״פ האריז״ל, ראה שעה״כ דרושי תפלין ו ועוד, וכמ״ש באות חיים ממונקאטש לב, יז, והוא כדעת הב״ח או״ח לב, ד״ה ואין שיעור (הביאו בקיצור במג״א נו), והא״ר שם סג, וא״ז שם לט, והובא וכפי שסתם גם בתניא אגה״ק י. וכ״מ מסתימת משנ״ב שם קפט, ובבה״ל מא ד״ה אין לו. וכ״ד כמה ראשונים שהב״ד השמו״ר אבל רק שצ״ל אצבעיים על אצבעיים ולא בנוגע ש״י. וראה גם מקו״ח להחו״י לב, מא. וראה גט מקושר טיב גיטין קו״א יד ואילך. וברש"ש גיטין נח, ב, שהמנהג ששל יד שוה בגדלו לד' בתים דראש. ובארוכה קובץ בית אהרן וישראל גל׳ ס ע׳ קיא ואילך.…Show more
It is a mitzvas aseh (a positive commandment—one of the 613) to elect a Jewish king. The king’s appointment was originally dependant on the settlement of Jews in Eretz Yisroel—and it is a mitzvah that will be reinstated… It is a mitzvas aseh (a positive commandment—one of the 613) to elect a Jewish king. The king’s appointment was originally dependant on the settlement of Jews in Eretz Yisroel—and it is a mitzvah that will be reinstated with the upcoming Geulah (Redemption from exile) with the coronation of Melech HaMoshiach, a scion of beis Dovid (the [Royal] House of King David), speedily in our days. However, there are aspects of the mitzvah that are applicable nowadays too. It states in the liturgy of Kiddush Levanah (the prayer for blessing the New Moon), “Dovid melech…Show more
שאלה: אשה נשואה צעירה שאביה נפטר לפני חצי שנה. וכעת יש להם חתונה של מחותנים. האמא שלה היא אלמנה והאמא הולכת לחתונה כי מותר לאמא ללכת. אבל האמא מבקשת מהבת שלה שתבוא איתה לחתונה, כדי שתקח אותה ברכב הלוך… שאלה: אשה נשואה צעירה שאביה נפטר לפני חצי שנה. וכעת יש להם חתונה של מחותנים. האמא שלה היא אלמנה והאמא הולכת לחתונה כי מותר לאמא ללכת. אבל האמא מבקשת מהבת שלה שתבוא איתה לחתונה, כדי שתקח אותה ברכב הלוך וחזור. האמא גם מבקשת מהבת שתשב לידה בסעודה של החתונה. והאמא אומרת שזה מכבד אותה שהבת שלה תשב לידה. הבת שואלת האם מותר לה להשתתף בחתונה. מצד אחד יש כאן מצות כיבוד אב לא להשתתף. מצד אחד יש כאן מצות כיבוד אם. תשובה: יש להקל להשתתף. Show more
The Rema mentions the custom of blessing a person who acquires a new item of clothing: Tivleh u'sechadesh (wear it out and get a new one). There is an exception: We do not give this particular brachah for new… The Rema mentions the custom of blessing a person who acquires a new item of clothing: Tivleh u'sechadesh (wear it out and get a new one). There is an exception: We do not give this particular brachah for new shoes. Shoes are made from leather, the skin of an animal, and it is inappropriate for us to wish that another animal be killed so the wearer may get yet another new pair. Shulchan Aruch states that a person should recite the brachah of Shehecheyanu (“That we have reached the occasion,” which is recited for monumental events, like a new…Show more
No. You may not talk, and you must pay attention. This applies to everyone present - even those who are not bentching, and this applies between brachos as well.
We are cautioned to refrain from making a shavuah (vow) unnecessarily. The Shitah Mekubetzes (R. Betzalel ben Abraham Ashkenazi, 16th century) states that the expression, “b’emes” (it’s the truth!), is one of the key words that would turn… We are cautioned to refrain from making a shavuah (vow) unnecessarily. The Shitah Mekubetzes (R. Betzalel ben Abraham Ashkenazi, 16th century) states that the expression, “b’emes” (it’s the truth!), is one of the key words that would turn an otherwise innocuous statement into a sh’vuah. One explanation offered to justify this position: Emes is considered to be one of Hashem’s holy names and using it to verify our words is as though making an oath in Hashem’s name. Accordingly, poskim say, people should be forewarned not to use the word b’emes in the context of affirming our…Show more
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