Parshat Noach: Praying for Rain on the Seventh of...
While we started praising HaShem as the giver of rain on Shemini Atzeret, we only start requesting rain on Motza’ei Shabbat, the eve of the seventh of Cheshvan. The reason is...
Bereshit: Blessing on Fire at Havdalah
At the Havdalah ceremony marking the departure of Shabbat, we bless on a cup of wine and also on fragrances and on fire. (SA OC 298.) The gemara relates the blessing...
Sukkot: The Lulav
At Sukkot we fulfill the mitzva of taking the four species – etrog (citron), lulav (palm), hadas (myrtle) and arava (willow). While we must take all four kinds to fulfill the...
Ha’azinu: Repentance for a Doubtful Sin
The Rema writes that a doubtful sin requires more thorough repentance than a certain one. The reason he gives is that a person tends to be feel less remorse over a...
Rosh Hashanah: New Year’s Greetings
The Rama writes that it is customary on Rosh HaShana to greet with the expression, “May you be inscribed for a good year” (OC 582:9). However, some people adopt a slightly...
Nitzavim-Vayeilech: Blessing the New Month
Customarily, the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh is called “Shabbat Mevarchim” because after the Torah reading the coming of the new month is announced and then a special prayer is said (Rema...
Ki Tavo: Investing Money Wisely
The gemara gives us sage advice about how to diversify our portfolios: “Rebbe Yitzchak said, a person should always divide his money into three: one third in land, one third in...
Ki Teitzei: Education of Children
Our parsha contains the laws of the “ben sorer”, the rebellious son. The sad fate of this youngster draws our attention to the commandment of educating children. In particular, the Mishna...
Shoftim: Divination
Our parsha is very explicit in its condemnation of divination: “When you come to the land which HaShem your G-d gives you, don’t accustom yourself to do the abominations of those...
Re’eh: Shofar in Elul
There is an ancient custom to blow the shofar in Elul. The source is in the Midrash: “On Rosh Chodesh the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moshe: Ascend...
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