A talk at the Leil Hoshannah Rabbah Simchas Beis HaSho’eivah of Cong. Anshei Palisades about how to approach Simchas Torah 5785 in light of the events of the past year. How sadness and happiness are not contradictory but complementary, and the unique happiness of Ditzah.
The text of the story of Reb Yisroel Salanter zt”l and Simchas Torah can be found (in Hebrew) at:
https://rygb.blogspot.com/2024/10/atzvus-and-simcha-sadness-and-happiness.html
>From a pure halachic viewpoint ISTM there is no benefit for an avel to lead services up to, but not including, yishtabach (some minyanim have no one leading that potion). Is the value that klal yisrael has invested it with value independent of halacha? GCT Joel Rich
The S?A in O?C 149 discusses the procedures for returning the sefer torah after kriat hatora but in O?C 134 he seems to assume it?s already out in discussing kriat hatora (thus no procedures for taking out). Any ideas why? GCT Joel Rich
When rabbis discuss in a public shiur (vs in yeshiva) the need to observe yom tov sheini shel galiyot ISTM I often hear ?hizharu bminhag avoteichem byadeichem? but not the follow on ?zimnin dgazra hamalchut gzeira vati lkilkulei? (rashi ? you?ll forget how to do the calendar calculation and mess it up). Is this a […]
The rambam uses the expression ?vchen? thousands of times in the yad. Any insights as to what goes before vchen and what goes after and why? (eg avel 14:1 listing bikur cholim, hachnasat kala ?and then saying vchen to gladden the kala and chatan). GCT Joel Rich
Below is my (abbreviated) conversation with Rabbi Idan Scher. My analysis in Avodah Digest, Vol 43, Issue 59 was correct. (See also Isaac Balaban's post) His reply is published with his specific permission. Gemar Hayima Tova Aryeh Frimer ________________________________ From: Rabbi Idan Scher Sent: Friday, September 19, 2025 3:20 AM To: Aryeh Frimer Subject: Re: […]
. In the thread "birchat cohanim", R' Joel Rich asked if Ashkenazim in chu"l should go out of their way to attend a Sefardi minyan in order to be blessed by the Kohanim, which is not done in Ashkenazi minyanim. R' Isaac Balbin offered some interesting sources on this question. To me, this seems like […]
. R' Aryeh Frimer suggested that "eirusin and nissuin were placed back-to-back because of the Crusades", and R' Yosef Gavriel Bechhofer commented: > This makes a lot of sense. The paucity of tangible records > of the evolution of the practice remains remarkable. I'm not sure, but I think RYGB is pointing out that we […]
Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:28:17 +0000 (UTC) From: Harry Maryles > There is a fascinating article in JTA (linked below) where the Rav of > a MO shul allowed a woman to say Birchas Gomel at the Bimah on shabbos > morning.? There are very few details given in the article about exactly when […]
> From: Harry Maryles > > There is a fascinating article in JTA (linked below) where the Rav of a MO shul allowed a woman to say Birchas Gomel at the Bimah on shabbos morning.? > My sense is that there is nothing wrong with that Halachicly. But My sense is also that this would […]
On 18 Sep 2025, at 12:31?pm, avodah-request at lists.aishdas.org wrote: > > From: Joel Rich > > All other things being equal, should an ashkenazi ben chu?l in chu?l daven > at an eidot hamizrach minyan in order to receive birchat cohanim or daven > at an ashkenazi minyan? If he or she follows the […]