Part I The question of “amirah lenochri” looms large: In what cases are we forbidden to ask a non-Jew to do forbidden labor for us
A respectful disagreement with ORA and the Beth Din of America. Supporting the RCA Prenuptial Since 1992 Let us clarify from the outset that I
Shulchan Aruch Versus Most Acharonim Not surprisingly, the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 297:5) rules that one who cannot smell may not recite the bracha on
An Entire Shulchan Aruch Chapter Sadly, many otherwise fully observant Jews neglect the obligation to eat melave malka on Motzei Shabbat—as already noted by the
In addition to the debate about whether women are obligated in Havdala (resolved in favor that they are obligated), there is a secondary dispute about
Women and Kiddush While the Gemara (Brachot 20b) states that women are obligated in kiddush, it does not discuss whether they are obligated in Havdala.
Especially during the late fall and winter months, we must be alert about seuda shlishit. Shabbat’s Three Meals Shabbat 117b records the mitzvah to
While a well-known hallmark of the Shabbat table, delving deeper into covering the challah helps us optimally fulfill this mitzvah. Three Reasons The Rishonim
Part II Last week, we began discussing lechem mishneh, the possibly Torah-level obligation to recite HaMotzi on two loaves of challah at each Shabbat meal.
The Request Esther Does Not Make Achashverosh, undoubtedly influenced by Hashem, grants Esther no less than five requests. The logic behind her first four requests
Part I The Torah (Shemot 16:22 with Rashi) records that in the midbar, two portions of manna fell on Fridays. The Gemara (Shabbat 117b) writes
Revach VaHatzala Yaamod LaYehudim Unforgettably, Mordechai (4:14) is certain that the Jewish people will somehow be rescued from Esther even if she refuses to appear
