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Making a Siyum During The Nine Days The Shulchan Aruch (551:10) rules that one may not eat meat or drink wine during the nine days unless it's a Seudas Mitzvah. Included in the list of what's considered a Seudas Mitzvah is making a siyum.  Wh…

*Freshly Cleaned Clothing* The Rama (551:3) says that from Rosh Chodesh Av until after Tisha B’Av, one may not wear freshly laundered clothing. If one wishes to wear freshly washed garments during the Nine Days, they should be worn beforehan…

What is Pirkei Avos? Pirkei Avos is a compilation of the Jewish theological and ethical teachings and proverbs from Rabbinic Jewish tradition. It is part of didactic Jewish ethical literature. Because of its contents, the name is sometimes given as…

Question: What is the Twentieth of Sivan?  Answer: The Twentieth of Sivan is a historic Jewish fast day established by Rabbeinu Tam in 1171 to commemorate the Blois massacre in France, the first blood libel in continental Europe. It later symb…

What to Learn on Shavuos Night? It is customary across Klal Yisroel to stay awake on Shavuos night and learn Torah. Many recite Tikun Leil Shavuos, a set text including selections from Torah, Nevi’im, Kesuvim, Mishnayos, and Zohar.   T…

On Shavuos, the Rema (494:3) writes that one should eat dairy foods, and over time, cheesecake has become a beloved and iconic dish associated with the chag.  When it comes to the proper brachos to recite before and after eating cheesecake, on…

The definition of a friend can be explored through two perspectives from the Torah.  Rabbi Dov Schwartzman suggests that to understand the meaning of a word in the Torah, one should examine its first occurrence. He notes that the first mention…

Why Do We Go on Chol Hamoed Trips? Twice a year, during Chol Hamoed, families head out on trips. But have you ever wondered why we do this—and where this enjoyable tradition comes from? The Rambam says that during all the days of Chag, inclu…

Part 1: The Shulchan Aruch (249:2) rules that on Friday, one is prohibited from eating a large meal that is not typically consumed on a weekday. The Rama adds that a seudah [mitzvah] that falls on Friday, such as a bris or pidyon haben, is permitte…

Amalek (עֲמָלֵק‎) is the enemy nation of the Israelites. The name "Amalek" can refer to the descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Esav, anyone who lived in their territories in Canaan, or North African descendants of Cham, the son of Noach. Regar…

The following is an assemblage of critical essays and remarks by Ramban on this week's Parsha, Parshas Mishpatim: In Chapter 21, verse 1, Ramban elucidates the meaning of "placing the laws before Israel." In Chapter 22, verse 20, he explores the Jew…

Tu BiShvat, or the "New Year of the Trees," is a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th of Shevat in the Hebrew calendar. Tu BiShvat is named after its occurrence on the fifteenth day of Shevat in the Hebrew calendar. "Tu" represents the Hebrew lett…

Some observe a custom of feeding birds on Shabbos Shirah. Two reasons are given for this custom. The Aruch HaShulchan (324:3) explains that since the birds sang along with the Jewish people at the splitting of the sea, we honor them by providing foo…

Yisro's Goosebumps וַיִּ֣חַדְּ יִתְר֔וֹ עַ֚ל כׇּל־הַטּוֹבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִצִּיל֖וֹ מִיַּ֥ד מִצְרָֽיִם׃  And Jethro rejoiced over all the kindness that Hashem had shown Israel when delivering them from the Egyptians. Rashi:ויחד יתרו AND JETHRO REJOICED — Th…

Question: What is the proper bracha to make on the common wheat wrap? Answer:To answer this question, we first need to understand some basic concepts regarding foods made from the five primary grains: wheat, rye, spelt, oats, and barley. These…

Uncover the secrets to igniting your inner fire and enhancing your service to Hashem with joy. Delve into these three remarkable sources that explore and reveal the truth about kindling your internal spiritual flame. Sefer Hachinuch: Mitzvah 16 שֶׁלֹּ…

Question: Shnayim mikra ve-echad targum is a Halacha that commands that a person, in addition to listening to the Torah portion being read in the synagogue, read it themselves twice during the week, along with a translation. Can I read the Parsha in…

Question: Should one stand or sit when making kiddush on Friday night? Answer: The Rambam (Shabbos 29:1) says there is a mitzvah d’Oraisa to sanctify Shabbos with a verbal statement. Later (Shabbos 29:6), he says the Sages instituted that the…

There is a longstanding custom in Klal Yisrael to eat donuts on Chanukah, which dates back to the time of the Rambam’s father, Rabbi Maimon ben Yosef. Sefer Sarid Upalit (p. 8) cites his words: "One should not be lenient with any custom, even…

Question: What is the background on spending money on the menorah? Isn't the mitzvah about the candle and oil? If I purchase a menorah, is it better to buy silver than another material? Answer: This is no small question as the Mishna Berura (671:1)…

Question: What's the truth about Mayim Achronim? I've noticed that some people only put a few drops of water on their fingers, but what amount is needed? Is it necessary to perform Mayin Achronim after eating a meal during the week? Answer: There a…

Question: Are Jewish magazines considered Shaimos? Should I dispose of them respectfully since they contain Torah articles? Answer: The Gemara in Makkos (22a) teaches, based on the verse in Parshas Re'eh (12:4), that it is forbidden to erase or des…

The Gemara in Shabbos (117b) teaches that eating three meals on Shabbos is an obligation. In Shabbos (118a), the Gemara further states that as a reward, one who fulfills this mitzvah will be saved from three significant calamities: 1) the suffering …

Sarah dies at age 127 and is buried in the Machpelah Cave in Chevron, purchased by Avraham for four hundred shekels of silver. Avraham sends his servant Eliezer to find a wife for Yitzchak. At a well, Eliezer prays for a sign: the woman who offers w…