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June 4, 2024

Parshas Bamidbar Overview

The Parsha consists of 7,393 Hebrew letters, 1,823 words, 159 verses, and 263 lines in a Torah Scroll. The Parsha emphasizes the meticulous organization and precision required while executing divine activities. It commences with the census of Israel…

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June 4, 2024

Sefer Vayikra Summary

The sefer begins with the detailed laws and regulations regarding Karbanos, priestly ordination, the consecration of the Mishkan, Kosher laws, impurity resulting from childbirth, and certain skin diseases that emerge upon one's clothing, houses, and…

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June 2, 2024

Parshas Behar Overview

Parshas Behar is the shortest parsha in the Book of Vayikra, containing 2,817 Hebrew letters, 737 words, 57 verses, and 99 lines in a Torah Scroll. It commences with God instructing Moshe on the laws of the Sabbatical year for the land at Mount Sina…

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June 2, 2024

The Maledictions - התוכחה

 The Maledictions - התוכחה, meaning admonition or reproof, is the section in chapter 26 of Sefer Vayikra that highlights the consequence of a failure by the people of Israel to follow G-d's laws and keep his commandments. It is distinguished f…

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June 2, 2024

Rabbi Yaakov Lorberbaum - Nesivos Hamishpat

Rabbi Yaakov Lorberbaum, an esteemed halachic authority, served as a rabbi in Eastern Europe in Kalish, Lissa, and Stryi. He is known for works like Chavos Daas and Nesivos Hamishpat. He was the great-grandson of Chacham Tzvi. Highly regarded as a…

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June 2, 2024

Parshas Bechukosai Overview

Parshas Bechukosai, also known as "בְּחֻקֹּתַי‎" - "by my decrees," is the 33rd weekly parashah. It is positioned as the 10th and final part of the Book of Vayikra. It comprises 3,992 Hebrew letters, 1,013 Hebrew words, 78 verses, and 131 lines within…

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June 2, 2024

The Shelah HaKaddosh & His Famous Prayer

Rav Yeshayahu ben Avraham Ha-Levi Horowitz (ישעיה בן אברהם הלוי הורוויץ), (c. 1555 – 1630), also known as the Shelah HaKaddosh (השל"ה הקדוש‎ "the holy Shelah") after the title of his best-known work, was a prominent Rabbi and Kabbalis…

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May 27, 2024

Rabbi Ezra Attiya

The photo captures the pre-1948 facade of Porat Yosef Yeshiva in the Old City of Jerusalem under the leadership of Rabbi Ezra Attiya. Rabbi Attiya was known for his personal involvement with every student. His torah teaching schedule included Reg…

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May 26, 2024

"Bar Yochai" (בַּר יוֹחַאי) is a kabbalistic piyyut that praises the spir…

'"Bar Yochai'" (בַּר יוֹחַאי) is a profound kabbalistic piyyut that illuminates the spiritual achievements of Rabi Shimon bar Yochai, the revered author of the kabbalistic masterpiece, the Zohar.  Crafted in the 16th century by Rabbi Shimon Lavi, …

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May 22, 2024

Six Fascinating Facts That make Lag Ba'omer a memorable and more fest…

Six Fascinating Facts That make Lag Ba'omer a memorable and more festive day The Shulchan Aruch (493:2) mentions the custom of increasing joy on Lag Ba'omer because it's the day that the students of R' Akiva stopped dying. The Pri Chadash (ibid)…

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May 16, 2024

Parshas Emor Overview

Hashem instructed Moshe to relay the priestly laws to the Kohanim. The laws included rules on contact with dead bodies, grooming restrictions, marriage guidelines, and sacrificial practices.  Specific sacred occasions, such as Shabbas, Pesach,…

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May 15, 2024

Birth Control in Halacha

וּמָע֤וּךְ וְכָתוּת֙ וְנָת֣וּק וְכָר֔וּת לֹ֥א תַקְרִ֖יבוּ לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה וּֽבְאַרְצְכֶ֖ם לֹ֥א תַעֲשֽׂוּ׃-(Leviticus.22.24) The 361st prohibition is that we are forbidden from damaging the reproductive organs of any male, including all species of animals and humans. The use of contraception touc…

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May 14, 2024

Advice from our master Rabbi Elozor Menachem Mann Shach zt"l concerni…

Advice from our master Rabbi Elozor MenachemMann Shach zt"l as written down by Rav Eliezer Ginsburgconcerning Shidduchim and Marital harmony. I heard concerning the Sabba from Kelm zt"l that on Friday night after Maariv on his way home from the B…

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May 14, 2024

LA'omer vs. BA'omer

There is a famous dispute over the proper wording while counting the omer. Some have the custom of saying "yamim LA'omer," while others say "yamim BA'omer."  What's behind the two customs? The Shulchan Aruch (489:1) doesn't mention La'omer o…

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May 13, 2024

Morning Blessings (Birchas Hashachar) 15

All the brachos that we say in Birchos Hashachar thanks Hashem for the different abilities that He renews for us daily, such as seeing, having clothes, giving us strength, and providing for all our needs. However, the three brachos of "גוי," "…

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May 12, 2024

Parshas Emor Summary

God instructed Moshe to relay the priestly laws to the Kohanim. The regulations included prohibitions such as avoiding contact with the deceased, refraining from shaving any parts of their heads or beards, and abstaining from gashing their flesh. Ma…

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May 12, 2024

BeHaB Fast Days

BeHaB begins this coming Monday, May 13th. BeHaB is a series of three fast days on the Monday, Thursday, and subsequent Monday following the months of Tishrei and Nissan (BeHaB is an acronym for Beis (Monday), Hei (Thursday), Beis (Monday)). A Mi Sh…

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May 9, 2024

The Extremely Rare Haftorah of Parshas Kedoshim

According to the Ashkenazi custom (M.B. 428:26), the Haftarah for this week comes from Yechezkel (22:1-16). For a detailed discussion on the appropriate Haftarah, refer to Levush (493). This Haftarah is exceptionally rare, having been read only eig…

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May 8, 2024

The Hebrew Month of Iyar

Iyar (Hebrew: אִייָר‎ or אִיָּר‎) stands out as the eighth month of the civil year, commencing on 1 Tishrei, and the second month of the Jewish religious year, starting on 1 Nisan, as per the Hebrew calendar. This month, spanning 29 days and typi…

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May 8, 2024

Jewish History Events for Month of Iyar

A compilation of significant events in Jewish history during the month of Iyar gathered from reputable sources such as Chabad.org and ou.org.   1 Iyar, 5784 Passing of R. Menachem Mendel of Horodok (1788)Chassidic master Rabbi Menachem Mende…

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May 7, 2024

Parshas Kedoshim Summary

Parashas Kedoshim consists of 3,229 letters, 868 Hebrew words, and 64 verses. Initially, G-d commanded Moshe to convey to the Israelites the significance of holiness, as God is sacred. Within the "Holiness Code," G-d delineated the pathway to blessi…

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May 7, 2024

Ramban's (Leviticus 19:2) foundational treatise on self-discipline an…

Ramban - Leviticus.19.2 קדושים תהיו ולפי דעתי אין הפרישות הזו לפרוש מן העריות כדברי הרב אבל הפרישות היא המוזכרת בכל מקום בתלמוד שבעליה נקראים פרושים והענין כי התורה הזהירה בעריות ובמאכלים האסורים והתירה הביאה איש באשתו ואכילת הבשר והיין א"כ ימצא בע…

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May 7, 2024

Rabbi Chaim Vital

Rabbi Chaim Vital, a remarkable figure in Jewish history, was born around 1543 CE. His family's origins in Calabria, Italy, earned him the name Rabbi Chaim Vital Calabrese. He served as a rabbi in Tzfas and was the primary disciple of Rav Isaac Luri…

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May 6, 2024

What should someone wear on Chol Hamoed?

What should someone wear on Chol Hamoed? The Mechilta (12:16) brings a verse in Vayikra (23:2) to teach us that on Yom Tov and even on Chol Hamoed, one is obligated to sanctify the day with clothes and food. However, the dress code on Chol Hamoed …

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