As the Rav writes this week, Ki Savo is the parsha of giving thanks. There are so many things to be thankful for, but some are just not so obvious. Hashem has given me health—thank you Hashem! But I can also thank Hashem for being able to thank Him! Just look at the penultimate line [...]
And you shall take of the first of all the fruit of the ground (Devarim 26:2) Chazal state that when workmen would see people bringing bikurim to Jerusalem, they would stop their work and give honor to those bringing their first fruits to Jerusalem. The Alshich wonders, what is so special about this mitzvah, which [...]
" וְלָקַחְתָּ מֵרֵאשִׁית כָּל-פְּרִי הָאֲדָמָה" (דְּבָרִים כו:ב) חז"ל אומרים שכאשר השכירים היו רואים אנשים נוסעים לירושלים עם ביכוריהם, הם היו מפסיקים את עבודתם כדי לכבד את אלו שמביאים ביכורים לירושלים. האלשיך שואל, מה כל כך מיוחד במצווה זו, שמחייבת את העובדים להפסיק מחובותיהם כלפי מעסיקהם, לכבד את מקיימי מצווה זו? בגמרא ברכות כתוב שחז"ל לא [...]
Halacha Shiur on blowing the Shofar with Rav Avrohom Baruch Zachariash. Includes having 9 men blow all the notes at once, or two men blowing the notes together; Why is a shofar mukseh on Shabbos; If a person ignored that and blew on Shabbos would they fulfill the mitzvah; and more!
The Rav's "Seniors" shiur discussing the concept of "danger" in halacha. Topics include: Private doctors for birthing, fasting while ill, and more!
Shabbos Newsletter Parshas Ki Seitzei 5780 Reminders: Mincha Erev Shabbos at 13:30, 17:35 and 19:01. Davening times are changing due to the changing times of sunset. Please see the newsletter for a full explanation and the schedule. Shabbos Shiurim with the Rav: The Rav’s shiur on Beis Elokim written by the Mabit takes place this [...]
The Rav’s words this week were very moving to me: I urge one and all not to accept the present state as the “new normal”… We are in the midst of a test from Hashem. How we will all react? There are many halachas that are still applicable in todays’ “new normal”, such as to [...]
Halacha Shiur on blowing the Shofar with Rav Avrohom Baruch Zachariash
She shall spend a month’s time mourning her father and mother. (Devarim 21:13) The Meforshim ask, “Why was it necessary for her to mourn her parents for a month’s time?” There are a wide range of explanations; but what it is clear from almost all of them is that the period of a month changes [...]
"וּבָֽכְתָ֛ה אֶת־אָבִ֥יהָ וְאֶת־אִמָּ֖הּ יֶ֣רַח יָמִ֑ים" (דברים כא:יג) המפרשים שואלים, "מדוע היתה צריכה להתאבל על הוריה למשך חודש?" יש מגוון רחב של הסברים; אך מה שברור כמעט מכולם הוא שתקופת חודש משנה את יחסו של אדם ומביאה אותו למציאות חדשה. אנו מכירים מושג זה באשר לאמירת "ותן טל ומטר" ו"משיב הרוח" - כאשר יש ספק אם [...]
