Holy Thoughts

The Gemara states that one can separate both Terumah Gedolah and Terumas Maaser with a thought and one does not need to physically or orally designate the terumah. There are certain mitzvos which require one to contemplate the mitzvah, such as loving HaShem, fearing HaShem and other such mitzvos. There is even a situation where…

Observing Shabbos

The Gemara quotes a verse in Yirmiyah that states and do not carry out a burden from your homes on the Shabbos day The Gemara states that Rabbi Yochanan maintains that Bais Shammai and Bais Hillel disagree as to whether we say that since carrying was permitted for a food-related purpose, it was also permitted when there…

Elimination of Chametz

On the morning of the Fourteenth of Nissan, meaning this year (5774) which falls out on this coming Monday morning, one must eliminate Chametz before the last time to do so arrives. (In New York City, the end time for burning and renouncing Chametz is at approximately 11:35 AM according to the Sephardic custom. All…

The Laws of Searching for Chametz

The Laws of Searching for Chametz On the eve of the Fourteenth of Nissan, which will fall out this year (5774) on this coming Sunday night, one must search for Chametz by candlelight. The candle must be made of wax (or congealed paraffin oil, common nowadays) as per the enactment of our Sages. If one does…

No Ignorance on Yom Tov

Rashi writes that amei haaretz, ignorant people, despite the fact that they are suspected of laxity in observing the laws of taharah, ritual purity, on a Yom Tov they are not suspected of being lax, and if an am haaretz touched food on Yom Tov, it does not become tamei. We find that an am haaretz is believed on Shabbos to say…

Kezayit Pesach Seder

Question: How many “Kezayit”s (olive’s volume) of Matzah must one consume during the Pesach Seder? Answer: One is obligated to eat altogether three “Kezayit”s of Matzah during the Pesach Seder. Every Kezayit amounts to approx. 30 grams of Matzah. Nevertheless, there is room for stringency to eat four or even five “Kezayit”s of Matzah, as we…

Maggid-Motzi Matzah

Maggid-Motzi Matzah The order of the night of Pesach printed in Haggadot is as follows: Kadesh, Urchatz, Karpas, Yachatz, Maggid, Rochtza, Motzi, Matzah, Maror, Korech, Shulchan Orech, Tzafun, Barech, Hallel, Nirtzah. Maggid  Upon reaching the point of the Seder entitled “Maggid,” the entire household should read the Haggadah with enthusiasm and concentration. The custom of Maran Rabbeinu…

Halacha Yomit

The Month of Nissan The month of Nissan is a joyous time for Israel; it has been in the past, it is in the present, and will continue to be in the future. This is because on the First of Nissan, the Mishkan (Tabernacle) was erected and the twelve leaders of the Twelve Tribes of…

“Serve Hashem With Joy”

“Serve Hashem With Joy”-Maran zt”l’s Reply to Those Consoling Him Question: Is there an actual obligation to serve Hashem joyfully? Is one forbidden to fulfill the Mitzvot amid sadness? Answer: When delineating the punishments for the Jewish nation if they do not observe the Torah and Mitzvot, the Torah (Devarim 28) states that the Jewish nation will…