Videos

Avodah

• Rabbinical Council of Bergen County Purim Guidelines
  Akiva Miller: Rabbinical Council of Bergen County Purim Guidelines: . [[[ I received this a few minutes ago, in an email from a friend. I cannot verify whether it is actually from the RCBC or not, but I'd like to think it is. Just to remind everyone, I am proud to have been originally a […]
• This year Purim will be on Friday. What time should one begin their Purim seuda?
  Prof. L. Levine: This year Purim will be on Friday. What time should one begin their Purim seuda?: [...] Q. This year Purim will be on Friday. What time should one begin their Purim seuda? A. The Rema (Shulchan Aruch OC 695:2) writes that when Purim falls on erev Shabbos, it is preferable to begin […]
• Having Mishaloach Manos Delivered vis Amazon
  Prof. L. Levine: Having Mishaloach Manos Delivered vis Amazon: [...] Q. I ordered a food package on Amazon two days before Purim with guaranteed delivery to my friend on Purim day. Do I fulfill the mitzvah of Mishloach Manos with such an arrangement? A. This is a matter of dispute among the poskim. Some hold […]
• Prayers That The Tzibbur Does Not Say
  Jay F. Shachter: Prayers That The Tzibbur Does Not Say: [...] There are plenty of examples of prayers that may be recited by individuals, and that may not be recited by the tzibbur. For example, suppose you have asked Sarah Pippik to marry you, and she has nodded her head and said she'll get back […]
• Why did Achashverosh's feast last so long?
  Prof. L. Levine: Why did Achashverosh's feast last so long?: The following is from the Sefer The Vilna Gaon on Megillas Esther by Rabbi Asher Baruch Wegbreit. This Sefer contains many interesting insights into the Megillah. Pasuk !:4 says "when he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom, and the splendor of his excellent majesty, […]
• Having Mishaloach Manos Delivered vis Amazon
  Micha Berger: Having Mishaloach Manos Delivered vis Amazon: [...] The SA requires two manos, not two foods. Two foods, or the AhS's version of two berakhos, is minhag. Which raises a question I would CYLOR before following your practice. Say I would choose to give a salad and croutons for one. Presumably it is […]
• Does Rosh Chodesh have Kedusha?
  Micha Berger: Does Rosh Chodesh have Kedusha?: [...] The last phrase of any berakhah (that isn't just a one sentence "Barukh") is supposed to be me'ein hachasimah. But it can drift all over the place in between. Any berakhah that covers multiple topics has to be a berakhah arukhah -- barukh at beginning and last […]
• Having Mishaloach Manos Delivered vis Amazon
  Prof. Levine: Having Mishaloach Manos Delivered vis Amazon: [...] So according to you if someone sent me a roll and and cold cuts and I made a sandwich, then that would also be on maneh. I think not! The salad and croutons are 2 different things. They have two different brochos, even if combined. YL […]
• Having Mishaloach Manos Delivered vis Amazon
  Akiva Miller: Having Mishaloach Manos Delivered vis Amazon: . R' Micha Berger wrote: [...] Do you have a source for this distinction? The Aruch Hashulchan is very clear that "two manos" DOES mean "two types of food." Aruch Hashulchan 695:14 writes: "One has to send two types of food ... But two pieces of a […]
• Is one permitted to bathe, take a haircut or listen to music on Taanis Esther?
  Prof. L. Levine: Is one permitted to bathe, take a haircut or listen to music on Taanis Esther?: [...] Q. Is one permitted to bathe, take a haircut or listen to music on Taanis Esther? A. The Meiri (Sefer Magen Avos 23) writes that Taanis Esther is different than other communal fast days. Other communal […]