Chukat: Leaving a Cemetery
There is an ancient custom that on leaving a cemetery after a funeral we do three things: take a handful of dirt, and pluck some foliage, and wash the hands. (SA...
Korach: Covering the Blood
After ritual slaughter of fowl or non- domesticated animals, there is a Torah commandment to cover the blood: “And any person from the children of Israel or from the sojourner among...
Shelach: Agency “Shlichut”
One of the most important institutions in halakha is that of agency, or “shlichut”. The basic legal principle at work is that “a person’s agent is like himself”, and this principle...
Beha’alotecha: Eating Meat
In our parsha eating meat seems to have a very negative image. The Torah tells us that it is specifically the “mob” who request meat; that they do so because of...
Naso: Milk Foods on Shavuot
A custom mentioned in many places is to eat milk foods at Shavuot, particularly in the daytime meal. In a previous column (as well as the forthcoming book) we connected this...
Bamidbar: Aleinu
The ALEINU prayer originally entered the liturgy as part of the Rosh HaShana Musaf, where it remains; but for centuries, ALEINU has also been the closing of each daily prayer year...
Bechukotai: Fish & Meat
The Shulchan Arukh states that we need to be careful not to eat meat and fish together, because it carries a danger of “tzaraat” an affliction of the skin mentioned in...
Behar: Borrowing & Hiring
In two separate places the Torah commands us to pay workers on time. “Don’t oppress your fellow, and don’t steal; don’t leave the worker’s hire with you until morning” (Vayikra 19:13);...
Emor: Damage to People
It is strictly forbidden to strike our fellow man. Even raising a hand to threaten someone is considered a wicked act. The Torah tells us that if a transgressor is liable...
Kedoshim: Prohibition on Hoarding
The Shulchan Aruch rules that it is forbidden for merchants to hoard produce in times of famine, as well as to move produce from one area to another. The Shulchan Aruch...
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