Torah Tidbits
Vebbe Rebbe
Q: Someone locked his bike to the banister next to the steps leading to our building. The wheel blocked a third of the steps. This created a significant inconvenience (especially to an old, sick man) and caused a couple of people to trip (it was not easy to notice the protruding wheel). After waiting several weeks when apparently no one moved the bike and being unable to ascertain the owner’s identity, we broke the chain and moved the bike nearby to a place where it does not disturb. Must we buy a new chain to lock up the bike to prevent its theft? (In our safe neighborhood, carriages and (often) bikes are left unlocked, and they can remain many months without being stolen.)
Published September 14, 2009Aliyah by Aliyah Nitzavim Vayeilech
Numbers in [square brackets] are the Mitzva-count of Sefer HaChinuch AND Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvot. A=ASEI (positive mitzva); L=LAV (prohibition). X:Y is the perek and pasuk from which the mitzva comes.
Published September 14, 2009Wisdom & Wit
The Chafetz Chayim would explain what one does in this world in terms of a parable.
Published September 14, 2009Lesson # 491 - Tena'im
In halacha, the marriage ceremony consists of two distinct parts - (1) the betrothal part and (2) the Marriage
Published September 14, 2009Return, Return, Return, Return
NITZAVIM is always read on the last Shabbat of the year, the Shabbat right before Rosh HaShana.
Published September 14, 2009Minimum Requirement of Kiddushin Money
In most situations, where there is a learned rabbi performing the ritual of kiddushin, there are no problems. It gets to a point when many in the audience feel that they could have handled the kiddushin themselves. However, there are times when the ordinary becomes anything but ordinary. I have set forth below some problems that rabbis sometimes face in arranging for the kiddushin of a man and a woman.
Published August 25, 2009BARBECUED CHICKEN WINGS
SINCE IN THIS WEEK’S PORTION we learn about the laws of Sh’chita that allow us to eat meat anywhere - here is a simple barbecue recipe
Published August 25, 2009Correcting the Ba'al Koreh
Q: In my shul, some people correct the ba’al kri’ah [BK] when he reads a kamatz katan like a regular (classic Ashkenazi) kamatz (as in the word, “nut”) instead of like a cholom (as in, “note”) Not all BKs appreciate this, and one refuses on principle to read it as the “correctors” want. What are we to do?
Published August 25, 2009Removing Ovarian Tissue and Halacha
Many authorities hold that while there is a Torah prohibition against castrating males, there is no such Torah prohibition regarding females, although there is a rabbinic prohibition.
Published August 25, 2009Divrei Menachem
Parshat R’EI reminds us about the potential state of poverty that can - and usually does - pertain in Eretz Yisrael. In fact, not withstanding an almost unattainable state, whereby the observance of Hashem’s “entire command” would wipe out poverty altogether (D’varim 14:4-5).
Published August 25, 2009Chizuk & Idud for Shoftim
We are accustomed to describing mitzvot as either Bein Adam L’Chavero (interpersonal) or Bein Adam LaMakom (between man and God). A third category sometimes suggested is Bein Adam L’Atzmo (between man and himself). In this third category we find, for example, the mitzva of Torah study, for we must study Torah to achieve personal growth.
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