Podcasts about Amidah

In today's page of Talmud, Avodah Zarah 7, the sages discuss how a person should pray. Should a person first say the Amidah, and then issue  their own personal requests, or should their personal prayers come first? And why does it matter? Listen and find out.  

When Is the Best Time to Wear Rabenu Tam Tefillin—And Can One Switch Between Them During the Hazara? Many Sepharadim follow the custom of wearing both Rashi and Rabenu Tam Tefillin each morning. While Rashi's Tefillin fulfill the primary obligation, Rabenu Tam's are worn as an added measure of piety—especially among those who follow the teachings of the Mekubalim . This practice raises several practical questions: When should one switch to Rabenu Tam? Can it be done during the Hazara or Kaddish? And what is the proper way to time and perform this change? What's the Ideal Time to Wear Rabenu Tam Tefillin? The most preferred time to switch to Rabenu Tam is after completing Shaharit entirely , including: Aleinu Any post-prayer supplications Removal of the Rashi Tefillin respectfully The Mekubalim —especially the Arizal —emphasized that Rabenu Tam should be worn after the formal structure of Shaharit , not in the middle. Can One Switch Tefillin During Hazara or Kaddish? Some mistakenly remove Rashi and put on Rabenu Tam during the Hazara (repetition of the Amidah) or Kaddish . This is not recommended : The Hazara is part of the structured Tefilla. It's forbidden to do actions that interrupt its sanctity—even silently switching Tefillin. The same applies to Kaddish or Kedusha —no switching should take place during these portions. Best practice: Wait until Shaharit is completely over, and only then switch Tefillin. Why Wear Rabenu Tam at All—And What Did Hacham Ovadia Say? While some authorities argue that one should only wear Rashi's Tefillin, Hacham Ovadia Yosef ruled that it is a beautiful minhag to also wear Rabenu Tam, especially for those who: Come from families with this tradition Follow the customs of the Arizal Have extra time after prayers That said, it should not be rushed or done publicly if it will cause embarrassment to others or look like showing off. The Ben Ish Hai emphasizes that if done privately and with humility , the reward is immense. How Long Should Rabenu Tam Be Worn? At minimum: Say Shema with Kavana Learn a few lines of Halacha or Torah Even reading one perek (chapter) of Tehillim fulfills the enhancement Torah learning while wearing Rabenu Tam Tefillin is essential— don't just wear them and remove them immediately . The learning gives them spiritual function and purpose. Summary: Rabenu Tam Tefillin should be worn after completing all of Shaharit . Do not switch Tefillin during the Hazara, Kaddish, or Kedusha. If worn, say Shema and learn a bit of Torah before removing them. The practice is commendable when done with humility and intention.

Why Must Tefillin Stay On Until After Aleinu —And Can They Be Removed Early for Health or During Keri'at HaTorah ? The ideal practice is to wear Tefillin throughout the entire Shaharit service—from the beginning of the Berachot until after Aleinu . This wasn't just a stringency of the righteous—many authorities consider it a halachic preference, rooted in the structure of prayer and the meaning of Tefillin. Why Keep Tefillin On Until After Aleinu ? The Tefillin reflect our bond with Hashem—physically, spiritually, and publicly. The Mekubalim teach that each section of Tefilla corresponds to higher and higher spiritual worlds. Keeping the Tefillin on through Aleinu ensures the sanctity flows through the entire process of ascent. Removing them before Aleinu may disrupt the flow of the Misva . It also signals a "spiritual descent" before the Tefilla experience is complete. What If Someone Has Discomfort or a Medical Issue? Sometimes a person may want to remove the Tefillin earlier—after the Amidah, or even sooner—because of: Headaches Tightness from the straps Nausea or stomach weakness Skin sensitivity or pressure points In these cases: It is 100% permissible to remove the Tefillin early. Hacham Ovadia Yosef writes that the Misva of Tefillin must be done with joy and dignity , not with discomfort or pain. One should not push through physical suffering just to complete the ideal time frame . Should One Remove Tefillin Before or During Keri'at HaTorah ? Many people remove their Tefillin before the Torah reading on Mondays and Thursdays. But this is not ideal unless the synagogue has a strong custom. If possible: Keep Tefillin on through Keri'at HaTorah . The sanctity of the Tefillin matches the holiness of the Torah reading. One who receives an Aliyah should wear Tefillin while standing next to the Sefer Torah. However: If it feels uncomfortable or awkward (especially if the community expects Tefillin to be off), one may remove them just before the Aliyah. Ideally, step to the side or wait until the Sefer Torah is covered before removing them. Summary: Tefillin should remain on through the entire Tefilla and Aleinu . Removing early is allowed for valid health or comfort reasons. Tefillin should ideally stay on through Keri'at HaTorah unless there's strong reason or local custom to remove them.

Welcome to Daily Bitachon. Today's class is dedicated le'ilui nishmat Rachel bat Jamila, Grandma Rachel Ruby A'H by her grandchildren. In our previous lesson we spoke about the words Habotchim b'shimcha be'emet/Those who rely on Hashem in truth, as we say in our Amidah. We quoted the Avudarham, who explained that "in truth" means recognizing God's name in truth —but what does that mean? Let us go back to the opening words of the Rambam in the laws of Yesodei HaTorah/The Foundations of Torah, chapter 1, halacha 1. He begins with the words: י סוד ה יסודות ו עמוד ה חכמות —the foundation of foundations and the pillar of wisdom (note that the first letters of each word spell Hashem's name) is to know that there is a מצוי ראשון , a Primary Existence —we say God is the kadmon , the First, and He is the mamtzi kol nimtza/ the One who brought everything into existence. כל נמצא וכל הנמצאים משמים וארץ ומה שביניהם לא נמצאו /And everything in the heavens and the earth and all that is in between does not exist אלא /except, -and this is the key phrase- מאמתת המצאו: / from the truth of His existence. "T ruth " here doesn't simply "true vs. false." In this context, " true " means absolute , not dependent on anything. Something that is true is real —it's reality. What does reality mean? It means it exists —it's not imaginary. When you say someone is a real person versus a fake person, you're distinguishing reality from illusion. And the only true reality is God, because everything else exists only because God wills it. If He stops willing it, it ceases to exist. So it's not really emet . Nothing else is " true ." אמת Eme t is spelled with an א alef (first letter of Alef Bet), מ (middle of the Alef Bet ( and ת tav (last)—which means Emet is means something that spans the beginning, middle, and end. That's God: Hayah, Hoveh, Veyihyeh. He is the only true existence. Rambam continues: If one could imagine the impossible—that God did not exist—then nothing else could exist either . But if everything else ceased to exist, God would still be the same. שכל הנמצאים צריכין לו והוא ברוך הוא אינו צריך להם ולא לאחד מהם לפיכך Everything depends on Him. And He doesn't need them at all. Therefore, אין אמתתו כאמתת אחד מהם: His truth is unlike the truth of anything else. This is a fundamental concept in our understanding of God—and we say it every day: Hu shehanavi omer: VaHashem Elokim Emet—God is truth . This is the source for the words in Kriat Shema: Hashem Elokeichem emet. He is the only emet— no other existence is true in the same way. That's the meaning of En od milvado—there is nothing but Him. En sham matzui emet milvado kemoto—there is no other true existence besides Him. This concept underpins the teachings of Nefesh HaChaim—God is the only real existence. He is the source of everything. He makes everything happen. He's infusing everything with energy. How could He not know what's happening in the world? That would be absurd. He is the world. People ask about hashgacha—"Does God know when a leaf falls from a tree? " There is no leaf or tree without God! Of course He knows the leaf is falling off that tree! So, going back: Habotchim b'shimcha be'emet/To rely on Hashem's name in truth means to understand the truth of His name, according to this explanation. The Hovot HaLevavot writes that the reason people lack bitachon is because they don't know who God is. This is who God is. There is nothing else but Him. Now of course, we can't truly comprehend that. The Nefesh HaChaim says that if we dwell on that idea for too long, we could lose our minds. That's why God created the concept of tzimtzum —a perceived contraction —where it seems as though the world exists independently. But we must recognize that our world is like virtual reality. Just like a hologram, it seems real—but behind it is a truer reality, which is God. This is why the term emet ke'amitato is used. There is a level of " truth " in the world, but it's not truly real —it's contingent on God. You may think, " This is deep and philosophical." Well, yes—it's the foundation of our world.. God is the Manhig hagalgal beko'ach she'ein lo ketz vetachlit/the One who moves the cosmos with infinite power. He spins the sun, the stars, the orbits. Without Him, they can't move. Hu Baruch Hu mesovev oto—He spins them, belo yad uvelo guf—without a hand, without a body. He drives everything. Understanding this is the first commandment: Anochi Hashem Elokecha—I am Hashem your God …..Who took you out of Egypt- ( because we learned it from Yetziat Mitzrayim). We paused our long stint of Yetziat Mitzrayim lessons because someone said, " How long can you talk about this? It's already Shavuot!" But sorry—we're back. Because Yetziat Mitzrayim showed us that blood isn't blood, water isn't water, the sea isn't the sea. That's Anochi Hashem Elokecha. If you think there is any other power besideGod, you're transgressing a commandment: Lo yihyeh lecha elohim acherim al panai. That's kefirah be'ikar—denying the fundamental belief. What does " denying the fundamental" mean? It means denying the principle on which everything depends. The Rambam continues onto his 13 principles of faith, all grounded in this foundation. We won't go through the entire first chapter of Yesodei HaTorah, but know this: it's fundamental. If a person doesn't know this, they're missing out. Veten sachar tov lechol habotchim b'shimcha be'emet—Give good reward to those who rely on You in truth. You can't rely on Hashem if you don't know who He is. Hashem is full of kindness. He created the world to do good because He is good and wants us to benefit. He's not an angry, vengeful God looking to punish us. He didn't have to create the world. He didn't do it so we could suffer. Hovot HaLevavot says this explicitly in Sha'ar HaBitachon, Chapter 7, when speaking about what prevents people from having bitachon. What is the primary obstacle? Hasichlut be'inyan haBorei—ignorance regarding God's nature, uv'midotav hatovot—and His good attributes. God has good middot. We are meant to emulate them: ma Hu rachum af ata rachum—just as He is merciful, so should you be. His middot are rachum ve'chanun—compassionate and gracious. If we don't understand that, if we don't understand how God watches over us, cares for us, and controls our lives—then we're like prisoners in His jail ( keshurim be'asurav) without awareness. Lo yanuach libo velo yismoch alav—how can the heart be at ease, how can you trust in Him, if you don't know who He is? How can you rely on someone you don't understand? Botchim b'shimcha be'emet—trusting in His name in truth. " Shem "—a name—represents the essence of a person. Knowing someone's name means knowing their essence. Hashem's primary name— Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh— is not His essence, but it's how He reveals Himself to us: Hayahhoveh veyihyeh mehaveh kol hahavayot , and rachamim / The One who brings all existence into being, and who is full of mercy. That name represents mercy. You must know Him, because if you don't know Him, how can you rely on Him?

Welcome to Daily Bitachon . We continue to learn lessons from the pesukim of Yetziat Mitzrayim . The next pasuk says that Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim " B'yad chazaka ubzroa netuya/With a strong hand and an outstretched arm." The Baal Haggadah explains that " Yad chazaka," refers to dever , the plague that killed the animals, and " Zroa netuya/the outstretched arm," refers to the sword , which Rishonim say refers to the plague of Makat Bechorot , when all the firstborns died. But why are we singling out the fifth and the tenth plagues? The Vilna Gaon and others explain that a hand has five fingers, the right hand has five fingers, and the left hand has five fingers. So, kal v'yachol , if we say Hashem is using both His hand and His outstretched arm, that includes all 10 plagues. The first hand, the " yad chazaka ," refers to dever , including all four previous plagues, and culminating with dever , the plague that killed the animals. And Zroa netuya/ with the sword means the four plagues prior to that and culminates with the fifth one being the sword . What exactly is the common denominator between the two? Interestingly, the pasuk brought down by dever is " Hineh yad Hashem hoyah b'miknecha/ The hand of Hashem was on your cattle." This term, "the hand of Hashem," is not found in other plagues. There are five different cattle mentioned— susim (horses), chamorim (donkeys), gamalim (camels), bakar (cattle), and tzon (sheep) and some commentaries say the hand, with five fingers, refers to the five different species of animals that were killed. But for our purposes today, we will study the common denominator between the " yad chazaka" of the plague and the " zroa netuya" of the sword- which is that both refer to the taking of life. Dever took the life out of the animals through the plague, and Makat Bechorot took out the lives of the firstborns. This is the ultimate Hashgacha Pratit , that Hashem is the One who is memit u'mechayeh /Hashem is the One that gives life and gives death. The ultimate hashgacha pratit is that Hashem is keeping us alive at every single second. This supersedes the Hashgacha of crossing the street safely or getting the food you needed in time, etc. The ultimate Hashgacha pratit is that Hashem is giving life to our souls every single moment. As we say in Modim , "Al chayenu hamesurim b'yadecha/ Our lives are literally in Your hand . And as we just said, " yad chazaka , and " Chayeinu hamesurim b'yadecha ." Our life is in God's hand. This is not said figuratively. Of course, Hashem doesn't have a hand, but just as a person has a hand and holds on, so too, Hashem is holding on to us. The Bet HaLevi , in his commentary on Bereshit 2,2, says that when a person has complete faith that at every second Hashem Yitbarach is pumping energy into the world, and every moment it's literally, he says , yesh mei'ayin/something from nothing , If Hashem would not be doing it this second, everything would cease to exist. If a person thought like that, he says, " tipol alav Yirat v'pachad" – he would be in a sudden state of fear. Rav Wolbe once suggested going over to your little child, putting your ear to his chest, and listening to his heart beat. Thump, thump, thump . Who is responsible for that thump? Who makes it happen? And if it stops for a second, who knows what would be! The Bet HaLevi compares this to a person who falls into the ocean. Someone grabs onto his hand so that he doesn't drown. If the man lets go for a second, it's all over. He says the feeling for the man saving him is love and fear at the same time. " I love him because he's holding on to me. And I'm afraid because he might let go" . He says that's why we say, every single day in Amidah , " Al chayeinu hamesurim b'yadecha/Our life is in Your hand. Hashem is holding on to us. That's the " yad Hashem " of the dever , because God does that to animals as well. And that's the outstretched arm of Makat Bechorot . This was the realization they got through the makot , especially these last two of each unit. (There were two units of five. In the first five, Pharaoh still had freedom of choice. In the last five he didn't.) In each these plagues, we see that important lesson of " chayeinu hamesurim b'yadecha. Every one of the words of Anshei Knesset HaGedolah is sourced in pesukim . And the Avudraham says, " chayeinu hamesurim b'yadecha" comes from a pasuk in Tehillim 31:16, " b'yadcha itotai/My moments are in Your hand" Furthermore, in Modim we say " Nishmatenu Hapekudot lach/our souls have been deposited by You. This is also sourced in a pasuk- " b'yadcha afkid ruchi" – "in Your hands I deposit my soul, (Tehillim 31:6), Because every night I give God my soul as a deposit. But both of them are in God's hands . My life, " b'yadcha itotai," my moments are in Your hand. My soul, " b'yadcha afkid ruchi". Regarding these pesukim in Tehillim, " b'yadcha itotai," my moments are in your hand," and "Hatzileni miyad oyvai u'mirdofai/save me from the hands of my enemies," the Radak says that David HaMelech is saying, " I'm in Your hands, and therefore the hands of my enemies can't get me. I'm not in their hands, I'm in Your hands.

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 30 minutesSynopsis: This Friday morning (5/16/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we finished our analysis of the first berachah! Not that anyone can truly finish it, but we completed THIS round. After a quick review, we spent the bulk of the time analyzing the penultimate clause in the berachah, and rode that momentum through the conclusion. I'll probably do one more recording to summarize everything, but for now, we're done with the series!-----מקורות:סידור ארבע כנפות הארץ - אבותראב"ןבראשית פרק ידרמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות תשובה ט:בר"י בר יקרקרבן תודה - פסחים דף קיז עמוד ברמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים ג:יחאבודרהםרמב"ן - בראשית טו:ארלב"ג - דברים לג:כט-----SPECIAL OFFER: I'm planning to write more on my Substack this summer than I have in the past few years, including a ton of paid subscriber posts I've been eager to publish. From now until Shavuos, for every week of content you sponsor, I'll add a full month of paid subscription access. If you're interested in sponsoring, let me know!-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 2 minutesSynopsis: This Friday morning (5/9/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we took up the entire clause: וְזוֹכֵר חַסְדֵי אָבוֹת, וּמֵבִיא גוֹאֵל לִבְנֵי בְנֵיהֶם, לְמַעַן שְׁמוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה. My understanding, based largely on the Tur, is that this multi-part sentence conveys a unified idea - one I hope we managed to unpack in our analysis. All we have left in the berachah is the penultimate clause and the conclusion! -----מקורות:רלב"ג - במדבר י:ט-יאבודרהםאברבנאל - ירמיהו ב:בRabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, "The Rav on Tefillah" (ed. Jay Goldmintz), pp.207-208טור אורח חיים קיג:טרמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר שופטים, הלכות מלכים ומלחמות יב:ד-ה-----SPECIAL OFFER: I'm planning to write more on my Substack this summer than I have in the past few years, including a ton of paid subscriber posts I've been eager to publish. From now until Shavuos, for every week of content you sponsor, I'll add a full month of paid subscription access. If you're interested in sponsoring, let me know!-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 7 minutesSynopsis: This past Friday morning (5/2/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we began with a 12-minute mega-review of the main ideas for each phrase in the first berachah up until v'Koneh ha'Kol. We then analyzed that phrase and emerged with three interpretations based on three Rishonim (along with a half-baked idea from the Rambam). Next time (בג"ה), we'll move on to v'zocher chasdei Avos etc.!-----מקורות:עץ יוסףספורנו - בראשית יד:יטאברבנאל - בראשית יד:יז-כרמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים ב:ל-----The total cost of producing my five podcasts in 2024 came to $1,455—an expense I would have otherwise had to cover myself. I'm deeply grateful to the generous sponsors who helped shoulder that cost and supported my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

God is always confusing. We never know what to think. But that is especially true now in this fraught theological season between commemorating the Shoah (April 24), honoring soldiers who fell in Israel's wars and victims of terrorism on Yom Hazikaron (April 30), and celebrating the birth of the State of Israel on om Ha'atzmaut (May 1). Tomorrow we are going to study a modern Jewish philosopher that we have never before studied, Rabbi Irving Greenberg, who came up with a new scheme: the Three Eras of Jewish History.It is new. It is thoughtful. It is engaging. It gives us what to talk about.But does it work? After all, the Holocaust and the founding of the State of Israel happened within three years of one another, very much in the same era.We will also look at the special insertions in our Amidah for Yom Hashoah and Yom Ha'atzmaut to see what statement they make on God's relationship to the Jewish people and to history in 1941-45 and in 1948. We will also examine an important text from the Talmud that shows our sense of God's presence or absence is very much affected by what is actually happening in the world. Spoiler alert: it's not about the answers. There are none. It's about the wrestling. One other alternative: Who needs God? Since there are no answers, since the wrestling never leads to an answer, are we better off if God is not all that important to us—which, by the way, is what the vast majority of Temple Emanuel members will say about how they actually lead their lives. “I'm not a God person. I am here for the community.” Maybe that is the wisest posture of all?

Welcome to Daily Bitachon. Pesach is over, and we'd all like to go back to our regular lives; start eating less and whatever else. We'd like to get back to normal . But back to normal doesn't mean forgetting the lessons that we learned over the holiday. It says in Devarim 16:1, where the Torah talks about Pesach, שָׁמוֹר֙ אֶת־חֹ֣דֶשׁ הָאָבִ֔יב וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ פֶּ֔סַח לַיהֹוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ כִּ֞י בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽאָבִ֗יב הוֹצִ֨יאֲךָ֜ יְהֹוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם לָֽיְלָה׃ In the spring month, slaughter Korban Pesach, don't eat any חמץ for seven days, because Hashem took you out of Mitzrayim, and you went in a rush. And what's the purpose of the this holiday? למען תזכור את יום צאתך מארץ מצרים, so that you should remember the day you got out of Mitzrayim, כל ימי חייך, all the days of your life . Rashi says, what does למען תזכור that you should remember mean? That through the Korban Pesach and Matzah, you will remember. How will you remember? כל ימי חייך . We know from the Haggadah that ימי חייך is the days and , כל ימי חייך is the day and the night. So we have to remember Yetziat Mitzrayim in the day and night. When? When we say Keriat Shema twice a day. So the Torah is clearly telling us that the goal of the seder , and the seven days of Pesach is so that we will remember getting out of Mitzrayim all the days of our life, every day. And we do it, twice a day in Keriat Shema. This is a very important fundamental that we're recharging on Pesach, but Pesach is not the only day. I want to share a beautiful Kaf HaChaim from Rabbi Palaggi, chapter 15, Halacha1, that was shared with me by Rabbi Nathan Kairey. Rabbi Chaim Palaggi is explaining a custom brought down by one of the Mekubalim , known as the Matzat Shemurim, Rabbi Natan Shapira, that before he prays, when a person walks back the three steps, he's supposed to make a little wave to the people that are behind him out of respect. Where exactly does that come from? What's the reason for that? I was always raised on the Ben Ish Chai that tells us that when we pray, we are replicating angels with our feet standing together like angels. And since the about angels, it says נותנים רשות זה לזה, they give each other permission, we mimic the angels and we give permission, so to say, by waving to our friends as if we're asking their consent. Rav Chaim Palaggi brings that as a second reason. But the first reason he gives is his own Chiddush: that in the Keriat Shema of both Shaharit and Arbit, we talk about Keriat Yam Suf the splitting of the sea, and the miracles of Yetziat Mitzrayim. Rashi in Berachot tells us we do this because what brings Hashem close to us, so that we can pray to Him, is the recognition of His miracles of Yetziat Mitzrayim. Rashi cites a beautiful Yerushalmi Mashal that explains why it says you have to be סומך גאולה לתפילה, you can't separate between the words Ga'al Yisrael and the start of the Amidah, and you have to go straight in. It's compared to a person that went to the king's palace and knocked on his door. It takes a minute for the king to get there. Imagine if, before the king gets there, the fellow walks away and he's not there to ask the king his question! He says, similarly, when we're praying, as we mention Yetziat Mitzrayim and the miracles that happened there, we're knocking on the King's door. The King is about to come down, so you can't walk away, you have to be go right into the Amida. We see from this that what brings Hashem down is the mentioning of these miracles. And what do we say, both at night and in the morning? We quote from Az Yashir, Hashem Yimloch L'Olam Va'ed- the ultimate message of Keriat Yam Suf- that Hashem is, was and will be King forever. And therefore, he says, since the rule is that Hashem is only king upon us only when we're united (like it says ויהי בישורון מלך, בהתאסף ראשי עם /When is God king of the Jewish people? When the Jewish people are united and together) . He says, and this is the big Chiddush-since חייב אדם לראות את עצמו בכל פרט ופרט כאילו הוא יצא ממצרים, קריעת ים סוף. Every one is obligated, (not just on the night of the Seder), every day to mimic the going out of Egypt and Keriat Yam Suf. And therefore, as we prepare to begin the Amida, we want to say that right now, together, we're accepting Hashem's kingdom, the yoke of His kingdom , B'Lev Echad/ with one heart, as we go to pray to Hashem. So we give that little wave to one another as a gesture, in order to unite, in one heart, in our accepting God as a King, and then we pray. Similarly, in Minha, he says, we also have the line at the end of Ashrei , where we say, ואנחנו נברך י-ה / We are going to bless God, we together. So in two out of the three prayers, we are reminding ourselves of Yetziat Mitzrayim, and we want to make it real- to the extent that we act out the togetherness that we had at Keriat Yam Suf , by gesturing to each other. This is just an example of how we have to keep Yetziat Mitzrayim alive every single day. Therefore, B'Ezrat Hashem, we are going to continue at least until Shavuot, discussing Yetziat Mitzrayim. There is proof for this practice: The Sefer HaChinuch asks why don't we count up, "Today is the first day of the Omer, the second day of the Omer?" Normally I'd count down. If my wedding is in two months, I'd say, " 59 days to go, 58 days to go. " I wouldn't say, " One day since my engagement party, " " Two days since my engagement party.. " The engagement party is not the main event. I want to get to that end goal of the wedding. So I count down 60, 59, 58. But with the Omer , it's not just about the end goal, it's about the beginning. I am coming from Yetziat Mitzrayim. " It's one day since Yetziat Mitzrayim, two days since Yetziat Mitzrayim…." I'm not counting down, I'm counting up. And therefore I have to build on what I have already. So we definitely have full permission, as long as we're in Sefirat HaOmer and we're really taking it seriously, to continue our feeling of Yetziat Mitzrayim. The goal of Yetziat Mitzrayim was to get to Matan Torah , but not with a split. It's united. So much so that the commentaries say that just like we have the first day of Succot and we have a few days in between till שמיני Shimon Aseret, likewise on Pesach we have the first day of Pesach (the seventh day of פסח is not its own holiday, we don't say a special Shehechianu), and we go until שבועות, which is also called עצרת and it here means the eighth week . So these days are like a Chol Hamoed between the first day of Pesach and Shavuot, but instead of having seven days, we have seven weeks. So we're going to take advantage of those Chol Hamoed weeks to continue discussing the fundamentals of our faith which come out of Yetziat Mitzrayim.

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 13 minutesSynopsis: This past Friday morning (3/28/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we began with a review/relearning of our E-l Elyon analysis, which led to a nice sharpening of points. We then moved on to Gomel Chasadim Tovim and completed a fuller analysis of that. We then started our analysis of v'Koneh ha'Kol, but had to end early. Next week the analysis will continue! (בג"ה)-----מקורות:בראשית יד:יח-כרמב"ן - בראשית יד:יחתרגום אונקלוס - שמות טו:ארמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים ג:נגאבן עזרא - ישעיהו סג:ז-----This week's Torah content has been sponsored anonymously. Even I don't know who the sponsor is, but their money is going to a good cause: purchasing the new edition of the Siddur Otzar ha'Tefilos. People have asked me what the best tefilah resource is—and hands down, it's this siddur. The only problem is that the original printing was pretty horrendous. I've been waiting two decades for it to be reprinted, and it finally has! Now I just need to figure out how to get a copy. Regardless, thank you to the anonymous sponsor for your contribution!-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

Have you ever wondered about the unique intricacies of Jewish prayer and calendrical traditions? Discover the profound significance behind the reading of Haftorahs during special parashas such as Shkolim, Zochor, Parah, and HaChodesh, and how we choose which Haftorah to read. Join us as we unpack the principle of "Tadir v'she'eno tadir tadir kodem" and how it shapes our tradition. We'll also navigate the fascinating calendar distinctions, like why Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the Jewish year while Nisan kicks off the months, and explore other pivotal dates such as Shavuot and Tu B'Shvat.Transitioning to the milestones of Jewish life, we shine a light on the bar and bat mitzvah customs that mark the passage into religious adulthood. While it's a cherished tradition for bar mitzvah boys to read from the Torah, we explore the idea that there's no religious mandate to do so. Drawing from personal anecdotes, we reflect on how some children may feel daunted by this practice and discuss the importance of creating a supportive, understanding environment that respects individual capabilities. We also touch on the practice of singing down bar mitzvah boys and grooms to spare them public discomfort, underscoring the need for empathy in our community rituals.As we embrace the warmth of Shabbos, we explore the transformative potential it holds for our lives. From the modest bowing during the Amidah that embodies humility, to the joyful customs of Kabbalat Shabbat like L'chad Odi, we invite you to experience the richness of Shabbos rituals. Discover how the Amshenov Rebbe's continuing spiritual high illustrates the profound connection we can achieve by welcoming the Shabbos queen. By fostering excitement and reverence, Shabbos becomes much more than a day of rest; it becomes a cornerstone of spiritual rejuvenation that can carry us through the week.In this episode of Ask Away we address these various topics:Understanding Jewish Prayer and Calendar Basics: Exploring Jewish traditions, rituals, Haftorahs, Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah, Nisan, Shavuot, and biblical foundations for prayer.Bar/Bat Mitzvah Torah Reading Customs: Bar mitzvah tradition of reading Torah, sensitivity towards struggling children, singing down to prevent embarrassment.Bowing and Welcoming the Shabbos Queen: Jewish prayer customs include bowing during Amidah, Oseh Shalom, and specific prayers, and Kabbalat Shabbat traditions like L'chad Odi and welcoming the Shabbos queen.The Beauty of Shabbos: Shabbos is a special day to connect with ourselves and Hashem, rejuvenating us and enriching our week.And much more ... Please submit your questions at askaway@torchweb.org_____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #34) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on March 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on March 23, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#AskAway, #Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtraditions, #prayer, #calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

Have you ever wondered about the unique intricacies of Jewish prayer and calendrical traditions? Discover the profound significance behind the reading of Haftorahs during special parashas such as Shkolim, Zochor, Parah, and HaChodesh, and how we choose which Haftorah to read. Join us as we unpack the principle of "Tadir v'she'eno tadir tadir kodem" and how it shapes our tradition. We'll also navigate the fascinating calendar distinctions, like why Rosh Hashanah marks the start of the Jewish year while Nisan kicks off the months, and explore other pivotal dates such as Shavuot and Tu B'Shvat.Transitioning to the milestones of Jewish life, we shine a light on the bar and bat mitzvah customs that mark the passage into religious adulthood. While it's a cherished tradition for bar mitzvah boys to read from the Torah, we explore the idea that there's no religious mandate to do so. Drawing from personal anecdotes, we reflect on how some children may feel daunted by this practice and discuss the importance of creating a supportive, understanding environment that respects individual capabilities. We also touch on the practice of singing down bar mitzvah boys and grooms to spare them public discomfort, underscoring the need for empathy in our community rituals.As we embrace the warmth of Shabbos, we explore the transformative potential it holds for our lives. From the modest bowing during the Amidah that embodies humility, to the joyful customs of Kabbalat Shabbat like L'chad Odi, we invite you to experience the richness of Shabbos rituals. Discover how the Amshenov Rebbe's continuing spiritual high illustrates the profound connection we can achieve by welcoming the Shabbos queen. By fostering excitement and reverence, Shabbos becomes much more than a day of rest; it becomes a cornerstone of spiritual rejuvenation that can carry us through the week.In this episode of Ask Away we address these various topics:Understanding Jewish Prayer and Calendar Basics: Exploring Jewish traditions, rituals, Haftorahs, Jewish calendar, Rosh Hashanah, Nisan, Shavuot, and biblical foundations for prayer.Bar/Bat Mitzvah Torah Reading Customs: Bar mitzvah tradition of reading Torah, sensitivity towards struggling children, singing down to prevent embarrassment.Bowing and Welcoming the Shabbos Queen: Jewish prayer customs include bowing during Amidah, Oseh Shalom, and specific prayers, and Kabbalat Shabbat traditions like L'chad Odi and welcoming the Shabbos queen.The Beauty of Shabbos: Shabbos is a special day to connect with ourselves and Hashem, rejuvenating us and enriching our week.And much more ... Please submit your questions at askaway@torchweb.org_____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #34) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on March 16, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on March 23, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#AskAway, #Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtraditions, #prayer, #calendar ★ Support this podcast ★

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 12 minutesSynopsis: This past Friday morning (3/21/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we began with a review of the ideas we've learned for each phrase in the first berachah up until now. We re-learned the two explanations of "ha'E-l ha'Gadol ha'Gibor ve'ha'Nora" that we did last time, then learned one more explanation of E-l Elyon, and then began analyzing "gomel chasadim tovim." Since we ended off with some lingering questions, we'll revisit them next them, then move on to the next phrase.-----מקורות:עץ יוסףספורנו - דברים י:יזר"י בר יקררמב"ן - בראשית יד:יחרד"ק - ספר השורשים: ג.מ.ל.אבודרהםאבן עזרא - ישעיהו סג:זרד"ק שםתנחומא – משפטים טו-----This week's Torah content has been sponsored anonymously. Even I don't know who the sponsor is, but their money is going to a good cause: purchasing the new edition of the Siddur Otzar ha'Tefilos. People have asked me what the best tefilah resource is—and hands down, it's this siddur. The only problem is that the original printing was pretty horrendous. I've been waiting two decades for it to be reprinted, and it finally has! Now I just need to figure out how to get a copy. Regardless, thank you to the anonymous sponsor for your contribution!-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** Which is the proper way to recite the Amida – silently, or audibly? The Shulchan Aruch writes (101) that when praying the Amida one must move his lips and enunciate the words; thinking the words in one's mind does not fulfill the obligation, as indicating in the verse describing the prayer of Chana, mother of the prophet Shemuel: "Only her lips were moving…" (Shemuel I 1:13). This ruling of the Shulchan Aruch is shared by all authorities. There is, however, disagreement among the authorities as to how loudly the Amida should be recited. The Shulchan Aruch rules that one should recite the Amida softly enough so that those standing near him will not hear his prayer, but loudly enough to allow him to hear his own prayer. Among the Kabbalists, however, we find different traditions in this regard. The Chid"a (Rabbi Chayim Yosef David Azulai, Israel, 1724-1806), in his work "Birkei Yosef" (a commentary to the Shulchan Aruch), records a tradition he heard in the name of students of the Arizal (famed Kabbalist, Israel, 1534-1572) that the Amida must be prayed silently. If one's prayer is even slightly audible, the "Chitzonim" (harmful spiritual forces) are capable of disrupting the prayer's efficacy and preventing it from reaching its destination. By contrast, the Siddur Beit Oveid (in Hilchot Tefila, 75), after recording these comments of the Chid"a, cites a ruling from the Kabbalist Mahari Seruk, a student of the Arizal, that one must pray loudly enough to hear his own prayer. Thus, different traditions exist as to the proper way to recite the Amida according to the Kabbalah. The Ben Ish Chai (Rabbi Yosef Chayim of Baghdad, 1833-1909), in his work "Od Yosef Chai" (Parashat Mishpatim, 3; listen to audio for precise citation), rules that the Halacha on this issue depends on the individual's ability to properly pronounce the words and concentrate on his prayer. One who feels that he can accurately enunciate the words and pray with concentration reciting the Amida inaudibly, then he should do so, in accordance with the tradition cited by the Chid"a. If, however, one suspects that he might swallow his words or experience difficulty concentrating unless he recites the Amida audibly, then he should follow the Shulchan Aruch's ruling and pray the Amida loudly enough to hear his words. The Ben Ish Chai adds that his father followed the practice to recite the Amida audibly. Chacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Halichot Olam (vol. 1, p. 157), writes that the Halacha follows the position of the Shulchan Aruch, that the Amida should be recited audibly. This will enhance his concentration and ability to pronounce the words properly. Of course, those who recite the Amida audibly must ensure to recite it softly enough that only they – and nobody else in the synagogue – can hear their prayer. Summary: According to all authorities, one must recite the Amida with his lips, and not merely think the words in his mind. One should recite the Amida audibly, such that he – but nobody else – can hear his prayer. If he feels capable of properly enunciating the words and concentrating while praying silently, the Ben Ish Chai says to pray silently.

**Today's Halacha is dedicated f or the refuah and haslacha of Ronnie, Sharon, Eli and all the children of CARE** On Purim morning, one should make an effort to wake up extra early and recite Tehilim. This is based on the Hida (Rav Haim Yosef David Azulai, 1724-1807), who writes in his "Devash L'fi" that there are five special days during the year that one should arise at "Hashkama"-extra early: Tisha B'ab, Shabuot, Rosh Hashana, Hoshana Rabba and Purim. He says that this is alluded to in the word "AVRaHaM" in the verse "Vayashkem AVRraHaM BaBoker"-Avraham arose early in the morning. The letter "Aleph" of Avraham, hints to "Echa" which is read on Tisha B'ab; the "Vet" refers to Shabuot on which the Torah was given, and the Torah begins with the letter "Bet;" the "Resh" refers to Rosh Hashana; the "Heh" alludes to Hoshana Rabbah; and the "Mem" hints to the Megillah of Purim. *** The special Tefila of "Al Hanisim" is inserted into the Amidah of Purim. If one forgot to do so, he does not have to go back and repeat the Amidah. Nevertheless, it is preferable to recite the "Al Hanisim" at the expense of prolonging his Amidah and missing the Kedusha with the Sibbur, than to skip it and finish earlier. *** The Torah reading for Purim is "VaYavo Amalek," in Parshat B'shalach. Since it only has nine verses, the accepted custom is to read the last verse twice to complete the requisite ten verses need for a public Torah reading. It is important for everyone to hear this Parasha. Those who missed hearing Parashat Zachor can fulfill the Misva with this reading, if they have intent to do so. The Kaf HaHaim (Rav Yaakob Haim Sofer, Baghdad-Israel, 1870-1939, Ch. 693:25) writes that if someone cannot attend Bet Knesset on Purim day, he should read this passage by himself at home with the Ta'amim (cantillation). After reading the Torah, the Tefila continues with "Ashreh" and the beginning of "Uva Lesion." The Megillah is read before the Pasuk "V'atah Kadosh." In the morning, "Shehecheyanu" is not recited on the Megillah, according to the practice of the Sepharadim. The Sefer Torah is kept out until after the Megillah is read, because the Megillah states, "LaYehudim Hayta Orah V'simcha, V'saon V'y'kar"-the Jews had light and joy and happiness and glory. The Gemara understands that Orah (light) refers to the light of the Torah. One should not take off his Tefilin before the completion of the Megillah, because the same verse says that the Jews had "Y'kar"-glory. The Gemara understands that it is referring to Tefilin. In fact, the custom is to kiss the Tefilin when that word is read. If there is a Brit Mila, some say that it is performed prior to the Megillah reading to correspond to a word in that same Pasuk "Sason"-joy, which the Hachamim understand to be Brit Mila. However, the accepted practice is to conduct the Mila after Shaharit. *** There is no obligation to recite Hallel on Purim. One reason for this is that the reading of the Megillah, which tells the story of the miraculous events, takes the place of Hallel. Therefore, if one cannot hear the Megillah, there are Poskim who hold that he should recite the complete Hallel. This should be done without a Beracha, as there is a difference of opinion on the matter. After the Shir Shel Yom (Psalm of the Day), the Mizmor (Tehilim 22) "Al Ayelet Hashachar" is added. Esther was referred to as "Ayelet Hashachar," and this was the prayer she offered upon approaching the King's private chamber. *** It is prohibited to eat even a small amount before hearing the Megillah on Purim morning, even if one has already prayed. Therefore, one should insure that his wife and children hear the Megillah promptly, so that they can eat. *** Immediately after Shaharit, the Matanot LaEvyonim are distributed. Performing this Misva early is not only a fulfillment of "Zerizim Makdimim L'Misvot," but it also enables the recipients to use the money to buy what they lack for the holiday. *** The Shulhan Aruch rules that the Beracha of Shehecheyanu is not recited before reading the Megillah in the morning. This applies even if one did not fulfill the Misva of Megillah the previous night. One should have in mind to include the other Misvot when he hears the Beracha at night. *** The Hida (Lev David, Ch. 30) brings a custom for both men and women to light two candles in honor of Mordechai and Esther on Purim. After lighting the candles, one should give Sedaka and offer heartfelt prayers and requests in their merit. There is a widespread custom to don costumes on Purim. The Hida mentions this specifically regarding the Seudah. The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909, Ateret Tiferet) brings a custom for women to adorn themselves with their fanciest jewelry, even more than Shabbat and Yom Tov. This custom has its origins in the Kabbalah. This should only be done within the confines of her own home and not to go out publicly, so as not to breach the standards of modesty.

Unlock the profound layers of the morning prayers with us, as we journey through the intricate teachings of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. Get ready to enrich your understanding of Ashrei and Uva Letzion, two pivotal components of the Jewish prayer service. We'll take you through the flow of the morning prayers, from the initial blessings to the powerful verses of Shema and Amidah, culminating in the deep reflections on the recitation of Ashrei. Special emphasis is placed on the verse "Potach Eet Yadecha," where we encourage you to elevate your concentration and intention. Together, let's uncover the nuances of Psalm 20, L'menatzach, learning when and why it is omitted, especially in the poignant setting of a mourner's house.As we conclude our exploration of Siman 25, we'll highlight the spiritual weight of the Kedusha in Uvaletzion and why it is essential to recite it with the congregation. Understand the rituals that preserve the sanctity of this prayer, including maintaining silence and the importance of not leaving the synagogue prematurely._____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #29) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on March 2, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on March 9, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtradition, #Concentration, #Intention, #Psalm20, #Ashrei, #Kedusha, #AskAway ★ Support this podcast ★

Unlock the profound layers of the morning prayers with us, as we journey through the intricate teachings of the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch. Get ready to enrich your understanding of Ashrei and Uva Letzion, two pivotal components of the Jewish prayer service. We'll take you through the flow of the morning prayers, from the initial blessings to the powerful verses of Shema and Amidah, culminating in the deep reflections on the recitation of Ashrei. Special emphasis is placed on the verse "Potach Eet Yadecha," where we encourage you to elevate your concentration and intention. Together, let's uncover the nuances of Psalm 20, L'menatzach, learning when and why it is omitted, especially in the poignant setting of a mourner's house.As we conclude our exploration of Siman 25, we'll highlight the spiritual weight of the Kedusha in Uvaletzion and why it is essential to recite it with the congregation. Understand the rituals that preserve the sanctity of this prayer, including maintaining silence and the importance of not leaving the synagogue prematurely. _____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #29) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on March 2, 2025, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on March 9, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtradition, #Concentration, #Intention, #Psalm20, #Ashrei, #Kedusha, #AskAway ★ Support this podcast ★

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 4 minutesSynopsis: This Friday morning (3/7/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we resumed our analysis of berachos. After reviewing and slightly expanding upon our explanation of what kavanah to have when we say Hashem's name, we delved into a question that tends to escape the notice of many Jews: that throughout davening and in many berachos, we switch back and forth between talking to Hashem in the 2nd person and referring to Him in the 3rd person. We developed our own answer, then examined answers from three Rishonim. I guarantee that if you learn these ideas and say your berachos with them in mind, you'll have a wild and enlightening experience.-----מקורות:רמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים א:סארשב"א - שו"ת חלק ה סימן נברבינ בחיי בן אר - שולחן של ארבעמחזור ויטרי - סימן פח-----The Torah content for this week has been sponsored by Rifka Kaplan-Peck in tribute to the Bibas family. May Hashem avenge their blood and may He grant Yarden Bibas and the extended family comfort in the love of Am Yisroel who mourn with them.-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

The Gemara in Sanhedrin tells us that David HaMelech asked Hashem why, in the Amidah , we say אלוקי אברהם, אלוקי יצחק, ואלוקי יעקב . Hashem responded that it is because the Avot were tested and passed their tests. We see from here that tests make a person great in this world. The Midrash in Tehillim says that Hashem does not elevate a person to a high position until He first tests him. The pasuk states that Hashem tested the Jewish people in the desert " להטיבך באחריתך " The Sforno explains that Hashem wanted to elevate Bnei Yisrael to become even greater than the angels who serve Him, and that is why He tested them. Many times, Hashem has gifts waiting for a person, and by passing a test, they become worthy of receiving them. A well-known story illustrates this concept: Rashi's father, Rabbi Yitzchak, once found a rare diamond and went to sell it to a local jeweler. The jeweler didn't have enough money to purchase such a valuable stone and suggested that the bishop buy it instead. The bishop had been searching for such a diamond to place on his cross. He offered an enormous sum of money for it. When Rabbi Yitzchak heard the purpose of the purchase, he refused to sell the diamond. However, he realized that if he didn't sell it, it would likely be taken from him by force. So, instead, he threw it into the ocean. That night, he was told in a dream that because of this great sacrifice, he would be blessed with a son whose light would outshine all the precious stones in the world, and whose Torah would illuminate generations to come. The following year, he had a son, whom he named Shlomo. He grew to become the towering sage known as Rashi. A man told me a personal story that took place more than 30 years ago: After high school, he traveled to Israel, where he became religious. He returned for a second year and planned to go back for a third. That summer, he was in his hometown making the final arrangements for his return. On the last day before his flight, on the way to the airport, he stopped at a convenience store to buy a drink and some snacks. While in the store, he remembered that he had purchased a lottery ticket and decided to check the numbers on the store's machine. As soon as he inserted the ticket, red sirens went off across the store. Startled, he asked what was happening. The store manager told him, "That means you won. You matched at least five numbers—possibly six." Shocked, he asked how much he had won. The manager replied, "It could be anywhere from $500,000 to several million dollars." He was stunned. For a moment, he paused to take it all in. But then, fear set in. If he had won millions, would he still go back to yeshiva ? Would this change his life in ways he didn't want? He made a firm decision: instead of checking the numbers immediately, he would first board his flight to Israel. Once he was settled back in yeshiva , he would check the ticket and see how much he had won. Early the next morning, he arrived in Israel and went straight to the yeshiva building. He placed his jacket in the same spot where he had always hung it for the past two years and then went to the Kotel to pray Shacharit . When he returned, his jacket was gone. His lottery ticket was in the zipper pocket. He had not told anyone about the ticket. He searched the entire yeshiva , but the jacket was never found. To this day, he has no idea how much he would have won. Instead of millions of dollars, Hashem gave him something far greater—he remained in yeshiva for several more years, married a bat talmid chacham , and raised a family of outstanding talmidei chachamim with sterling Midot. It is clear that the money was not meant for him, but the test most certainly was. Hashem had given him an extraordinary nisayon . And heroically, he chose to return to Israel, fearing that the money would steer him away from the path he had chosen. Hashem blessed him in ways far beyond anything money could buy. Life's tests can be challenging, but they are designed to lift us up and make us great.

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 7 minutesSynopsis: This morning (2/21/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we resumed our analysis of the first berachah of the shemoneh esrei ... well, of ALL berachos! We began by reviewing what we covered last time - namely, what we mean by "Hashem" - which we reinforced with additional sources. We then learned through several sources about the word "Baruch," which we ALMOST finished, but not entirely. Next time (בג"ה), we'll begin with a review and completion of "Baruch," then move onto "Atoh." -----מקורות:גר"א - אדרת אליהו דברים א:וטור - אורח חיים ה:ארמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים א:סאאבודרהם - ברכות השחררבינו בחיי - כד הקמח: ברכהספר החינוך - פרשת עקב: מצוה ת"לספר העיקרים ב:כו-----The Torah content for the entire month of February has been sponsored by Y.K. with gratitude to Rabbi Schneeweiss for providing a clear and easily accessible path to personal growth via his reliably interesting and inspiring Torah content.-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

This morning we discuss whether a long prayer is better than a short prayer. Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein teaches us neither is better. The quality of a prayer is based on its intensity, do we realize how momentous this encounter with God is. We consider reaching this through the prefatory two lines of the Amidah and a story about hockey. Michael Whitman is the senior rabbi of ADATH Congregation in Hampstead, Quebec, and an adjunct professor at McGill University Faculty of Law. ADATH is a modern orthodox synagogue community in suburban Montreal, providing Judaism for the next generation. We take great pleasure in welcoming everyone with a warm smile, while sharing inspiration through prayer, study, and friendship. Rabbi Whitman shares his thoughts and inspirations through online lectures and shiurim, which are available on: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5FLcsC6xz5TmkirT1qObkA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adathmichael/ Podcast - Mining the Riches of the Parsha: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/mining-the-riches-of-the-parsha/id1479615142?fbclid=IwAR1c6YygRR6pvAKFvEmMGCcs0Y6hpmK8tXzPinbum8drqw2zLIo7c9SR-jc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3hWYhCG5GR8zygw4ZNsSmO Please contact Rabbi Whitman (rabbi@adath.ca) with any questions or feedback, or to receive a daily email, "Study with Rabbi Whitman Today," with current and past insights for that day, video, and audio, all in one short email sent directly to your inbox.

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 57 minutesSynopsis: This morning (2/14/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, I decided on a last-minute change of plans. After reviewing the main ideas and takeaways we've developed so far, we went back to the beginning of the berachah with the INTENT to analyze the phrase, "Baruch atoh Hashem," but we "only" ended up analyzing what we mean by "Hashem." I now know why I initially decided to skip this part: turns out, it's WAY too easy to go WAY in-depth on what we mean by "Hashem"! Since it's Parashas Yisro, I decided to take this up by reading and briefly explaining the first six halachos of the Rambam's Hilchos Yesodei ha'Torah, in which he elucidates the two most important mitzvos in the Torah: "Anochi" and "Lo Yihyeh Lecha." And before we knew it, shiur was over! Next time (בג"ה), we'll analyze "Baruch" and "atoh," then pick up in the middle of the berachah where we left off.-----מקורות:ברכת אבות נוסח אשכנזעץ יוסףספרונו - דברים י:יזרמב"ם - משנה תורה: ספר המדע, הלכות יסודי התורה א:א-ו-----The Torah content for the entire month of February has been sponsored by Y.K. with gratitude to Rabbi Schneeweiss for providing a clear and easily accessible path to personal growth via his reliably interesting and inspiring Torah content.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 18 minutesSynopsis: This morning (2/7/25), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we continued our analysis of the first berachah of the Amidah. Since it's been a while, we began by reviewing what we covered last time, refining it in the process. We then focused on three explanations of "the Great, Mighty, and Awesome God" - two given by the Eitz Yosef and another by Sforno - and we developed some excellent ideas. I'm really happy with the pace and depth of our Amidah analysis, and look forward to continuing (בג"ה)!-----מקורות:ברכת אבות נוסח אשכנזעץ יוסףרש"י - דברים ו:דרמב"ם - ספר המדע, הלכות תשובה ה:בספורנו - דברים י:יז-----The Torah content for the entire month of February has been sponsored by Y.K. with gratitude to Rabbi Schneeweiss for providing a clear and easily accessible path to personal growth via his reliably interesting and inspiring Torah content.-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

Join us on the Everyday Judaism podcast as we explore the rich tapestry of Jewish prayer. In this engaging episode, we take a closer look at the nuances of the Tachanun supplications, an essential component of Jewish prayer recited after the Amidah. Halachah guides us through the significance of this moment of seeking forgiveness and explains the proper posture for recitation, highlighting the importance of submission to Hashem. We learn about the specific circumstances that dictate the recitation or omission of Tachanun, such as its exclusion in the house of a mourner or during joyous occasions like a bris or wedding. These guidelines reflect the intricate connection between community prayer and the recognition of life's milestones within Jewish law.Listen in as we journey through the various parts of the Siddur, emphasizing the importance of understanding Halacha to enhance one's prayer experience. We enrich our understanding by providing historical context for significant observances, such as the 10th of Tevet and the upcoming Fast of Esther. The discussion also touches on Shabbat practices, explaining why Tachanun is not recited on this day and exploring the unique nature of Shabbat prayers. This episode encourages continuous learning and engagement with Jewish traditions, inviting listeners to deepen their connection to these meaningful practices. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Jewish customs, this episode offers valuable insights to enrich your spiritual journey._____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #24) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on January 12, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 19, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtradition, #JewishPrayer, #Tradition, #Tachanun, #Amidah, #TorahScroll, #CommunityPrayer, #LifeMilestones, #Siddur, #Halacha, #FastDays, #ShabbatPrayers, #JewishTraditions, #Forgiveness, #SubmissiontoHashem, #LawsandCustoms, #Recitation, #Observances, #Mourner, #CelebratoryOccasions, #Learning, #Engagement, #SpiritualExperience, #ConnectiontoTradition ★ Support this podcast ★

Join us on the Everyday Judaism podcast as we explore the rich tapestry of Jewish prayer. In this engaging episode, we take a closer look at the nuances of the Tachanun supplications, an essential component of Jewish prayer recited after the Amidah. Halachah guides us through the significance of this moment of seeking forgiveness and explains the proper posture for recitation, highlighting the importance of submission to Hashem. We learn about the specific circumstances that dictate the recitation or omission of Tachanun, such as its exclusion in the house of a mourner or during joyous occasions like a bris or wedding. These guidelines reflect the intricate connection between community prayer and the recognition of life's milestones within Jewish law.Listen in as we journey through the various parts of the Siddur, emphasizing the importance of understanding Halacha to enhance one's prayer experience. We enrich our understanding by providing historical context for significant observances, such as the 10th of Tevet and the upcoming Fast of Esther. The discussion also touches on Shabbat practices, explaining why Tachanun is not recited on this day and exploring the unique nature of Shabbat prayers. This episode encourages continuous learning and engagement with Jewish traditions, inviting listeners to deepen their connection to these meaningful practices. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to Jewish customs, this episode offers valuable insights to enrich your spiritual journey._____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #24) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on January 12, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 19, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtradition, #JewishPrayer, #Tradition, #Tachanun, #Amidah, #TorahScroll, #CommunityPrayer, #LifeMilestones, #Siddur, #Halacha, #FastDays, #ShabbatPrayers, #JewishTraditions, #Forgiveness, #SubmissiontoHashem, #LawsandCustoms, #Recitation, #Observances, #Mourner, #CelebratoryOccasions, #Learning, #Engagement, #SpiritualExperience, #ConnectiontoTradition ★ Support this podcast ★

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 16 minutesSynopsis: This morning (1/10/24), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we continued our analysis of the first berachah of the Amidah. Due to personal circumstances and a reconsideration of halachic priorities, we deviated from our original plan of focusing on the conclusion of the berachah. Instead, we began analyzing each word and phrase in the berachah. We started by discussing why this approach is halachically advisable. After reviewing our questions, we explored the underrated commentary of the Eitz Yosef, which proved to be so rich that we only managed to unpack the words "Elokei Avraham, Elokei Yitzchak, vElokei Yaakov." Judging by how this went, I'm really looking forward to learning the rest of the berachah!-----מקורות:ברכת אבות נוסח אשכנזשולחן ערוך אורח חיים קא:אמשנה ברורהערוך השולחןעץ יוסףאבן עזרא - קהלת ה:אמצודת דוד - א' דברי הימים כח:טרמב"ם - מורה הנבוכים א:נרמב"ם - ספר המדע, הלכות יסודי התורה הקדמה; ה:יאשמות ג:ו,טו; ד:הרש"י - דברים ו:ד-----It's a new year on the Gregorian calendar, a new year of my life (I turn 41 on January 10th), and a new opportunity for sponsorships! I currently don't have any sponsorships lined up for 2025, so I'd like to try an experiment: for every week you sponsor, I'll include a free month of paid subscriber access to the Rabbi Schneeweiss Substack! If you've been curious about my writing that's too controversial, too personal, or too speculative to publish publicly, this is a great way to gain access while supporting my Torah endeavors!-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist:

Join us for an enlightening session on the Everyday Judaism podcast, where we explore various facets of Jewish law and practice. Our journey begins with a thorough examination of the laws of Chazarat Hashatz, the repetition of the Amidah prayer by the Chazan. We unpack its essential purposes: aiding those unable to pray independently, facilitating the congregation's recitation of the Kedushah, and supporting those who may have lacked concentration during their silent prayer. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining a quorum of ten male adults to ensure meaningful responses, and we emphasize proper conduct during the Chazan's repetition to foster a focused and united congregation.In our conversation on the Spirit vs. Letter of Halacha, we open the floor to questions, sparking a rich dialogue on the nuances of handwashing practices and maintaining purity according to Jewish law. We explore the intricacies of taking three steps back after the silent Amidah and the etiquette of waiting for the Chazan during the Kedushah. Through personal anecdotes, we illustrate the importance of mindfulness during prayer, especially in communal spaces, while celebrating the beauty of studying halacha with its detailed and nuanced approach.Finally, we delve into the complexities of interfaith marriages, focusing on Jewish and Mormon faiths, and their impact on religious identity. We emphasize the transformative nature of embodying the Jewish spirit, underscoring the role of questioning as a pathway to truth. We discuss the responsibilities of rabbis in guiding communities, particularly regarding halacha's flexibility within defined boundaries, and reflect on the conversion process, advocating for a thorough and genuine immersion into the faith. This episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of Jewish law and practice, encouraging active participation and engagement from our listeners._____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #22) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 29, 2024, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 5, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtradition, #conversion, #KitzurShulchanAruch, #ChazaratHashatz, #Amidah, #Prayer, #Quorum, #PrayerResponses, #Halacha, #Handwashing, #InterfaithMarriages, #ReligiousIdentity, #Conversion, #Rabbis, #Flexibility, #GlobalPodcastCommunity, #EverydayJudaism, #TorchCenter, #LearningProcess, #Questions, #Engaging, #Enriching ★ Support this podcast ★

Join us for an enlightening session on the Everyday Judaism podcast, where we explore various facets of Jewish law and practice. Our journey begins with a thorough examination of the laws of Chazarat Hashatz, the repetition of the Amidah prayer by the Chazan. We unpack its essential purposes: aiding those unable to pray independently, facilitating the congregation's recitation of the Kedushah, and supporting those who may have lacked concentration during their silent prayer. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining a quorum of ten male adults to ensure meaningful responses, and we emphasize proper conduct during the Chazan's repetition to foster a focused and united congregation.In our conversation on the Spirit vs. Letter of Halacha, we open the floor to questions, sparking a rich dialogue on the nuances of handwashing practices and maintaining purity according to Jewish law. We explore the intricacies of taking three steps back after the silent Amidah and the etiquette of waiting for the Chazan during the Kedushah. Through personal anecdotes, we illustrate the importance of mindfulness during prayer, especially in communal spaces, while celebrating the beauty of studying halacha with its detailed and nuanced approach.Finally, we delve into the complexities of interfaith marriages, focusing on Jewish and Mormon faiths, and their impact on religious identity. We emphasize the transformative nature of embodying the Jewish spirit, underscoring the role of questioning as a pathway to truth. We discuss the responsibilities of rabbis in guiding communities, particularly regarding halacha's flexibility within defined boundaries, and reflect on the conversion process, advocating for a thorough and genuine immersion into the faith. This episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of Jewish law and practice, encouraging active participation and engagement from our listeners._____________The Everyday Judaism Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #23) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 29, 2024, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on January 5, 2025_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtradition, #conversion, #KitzurShulchanAruch, #ChazaratHashatz, #Amidah, #Prayer, #Quorum, #PrayerResponses, #Halacha, #Handwashing, #InterfaithMarriages, #ReligiousIdentity, #Conversion, #Rabbis, #Flexibility, #GlobalPodcastCommunity, #EverydayJudaism, #TorchCenter, #LearningProcess, #Questions, #Engaging, #Enriching ★ Support this podcast ★

Have any questions, insights, or feedback? Send me a text!Length: 1 hour 17 minutesSynopsis: This morning (1/3/24), in our tefilah-focused Machshavah Lab series for women, we began a new series: an analysis of the berachos in the amidah! What, exactly, does this entail? That's what we spent the first 20 minutes of shiur discussing: how can we get the most out of our analysis, given our temporal limitations, and what should our objectives be? After we settled on 5-6 objectives, we translated the berachah, compared the standard nusach Ashkenaz with three old nuschaos, raised a ton of questions and problems, and did a quick read-through of the Abudarham. Next time, we will focus on the conclusion of the berachah in an attempt to understand the main idea, which we'll use to achieve our objectives (בג"ה).-----מקורות:ברכת אבות נוסח אשכנזנוסח ארץ ישראלסידור רס"גסידור הרמב"םאבודרהם-----This week's Torah content has been sponsored l'zecher nishmas Yosef Yoshayahu ben Yechezkel Eliezer, whose yahrzeit is on the 3rd of Teves. Yehi zichro baruch.-----If you've gained from what you've learned here, please consider contributing to my Patreon at www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweiss. Alternatively, if you would like to make a direct contribution to the "Rabbi Schneeweiss Torah Content Fund," my Venmo is @Matt-Schneeweiss, and my Zelle and PayPal are mattschneeweiss at gmail. Even a small contribution goes a long way to covering the costs of my podcasts, and will provide me with the financial freedom to produce even more Torah content for you.If you would like to sponsor a day's or a week's worth of content, or if you are interested in enlisting my services as a teacher or tutor, you can reach me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail. Thank you to my listeners for listening, thank you to my readers for reading, and thank you to my supporters for supporting my efforts to make Torah ideas available and accessible to everyone.-----Substack: rabbischneeweiss.substack.com/Patreon: patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: youtube.com/rabbischneeweissInstagram: instagram.com/rabbischneeweiss/"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Mishlei Podcast": mishlei.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": tefilah.buzzsprout.comOld Blog: kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/WhatsApp Content Hub (where I post all my content and announce my public classes): https://chat.whatsapp.com/GEB1EPIAarsELfHWuI2k0HAmazon Wishlist: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/Y72CSP86S24W?ref_=wl_sharel

Listen in as we explore the intricacies of seasonal changes in the Amidah prayer, focusing on the specific phrases for winter and summer. We delve into the communal aspects of these practices and discuss how to navigate these transitions even when not in a synagogue. Our conversation extends to the significance of habitual recitation to avoid errors and the halachic implications of mistakes. We set the stage for a broader understanding of the Amidah's structure, noting the balance between its consistent and variable elements.Throughout the episode, we emphasize the importance of adapting to local customs while maintaining personal growth in religious practices. From fasting to alternative medicine, we touch on diverse topics, illustrating the dynamic nature of halacha. Additionally, we explore the historical contributions of figures like the Rambam and discuss the meticulous sourcing of Jewish law from sacred texts. Finally, we share insights into the essential morning rituals in Jewish law, encouraging ongoing study and engagement with these timeless teachings.Join us for an enriching journey into the world of Jewish laws and practices as we navigate through the Everyday Judaism podcast. In this episode, we focus on the power of inquiry and the importance of having a mentor, especially for those on the conversion path. With the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch as our guide, we simplify the complexities of halachic laws and explore their situational nature, highlighting how context influences halachic decisions. Through the lens of prayer practices like the Amidah, we underscore the necessity of asking questions to deepen our connection to Jewish law.  Join us for this insightful exploration of Jewish traditions and practices._____________The Living Jewishly Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #22) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 22, 2024, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 29, 2024_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtradition, #conversion, #KitzurShulchanAruch, #mentorship, #prayerpractices, #Amidah, #seasonaltextvariations, #communalrole, #prayerroutines, #mistakes, #Torah, #Rambam, #fasting, #alternativemedicine, #dietarylaws, #Americanlaw, #authorship, #oraltradition, #Rambam, #Torahscholarship, #mikveh, #familypurity, #morningrituals, #washinghands ★ Support this podcast ★

Listen in as we explore the intricacies of seasonal changes in the Amidah prayer, focusing on the specific phrases for winter and summer. We delve into the communal aspects of these practices and discuss how to navigate these transitions even when not in a synagogue. Our conversation extends to the significance of habitual recitation to avoid errors and the halachic implications of mistakes. We set the stage for a broader understanding of the Amidah's structure, noting the balance between its consistent and variable elements.Throughout the episode, we emphasize the importance of adapting to local customs while maintaining personal growth in religious practices. From fasting to alternative medicine, we touch on diverse topics, illustrating the dynamic nature of halacha. Additionally, we explore the historical contributions of figures like the Rambam and discuss the meticulous sourcing of Jewish law from sacred texts. Finally, we share insights into the essential morning rituals in Jewish law, encouraging ongoing study and engagement with these timeless teachings.Join us for an enriching journey into the world of Jewish laws and practices as we navigate through the Everyday Judaism podcast. In this episode, we focus on the power of inquiry and the importance of having a mentor, especially for those on the conversion path. With the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch as our guide, we simplify the complexities of halachic laws and explore their situational nature, highlighting how context influences halachic decisions. Through the lens of prayer practices like the Amidah, we underscore the necessity of asking questions to deepen our connection to Jewish law.  Join us for this insightful exploration of Jewish traditions and practices._____________The Living Jewishly Podcast is dedicated to learning, understanding and appreciating the greatness of Jewish heritage and the Torah through the simplified, concise study of Halacha, Jewish Law, thereby enhancing our understanding of how Hashem wants us to live our daily lives in a Jewish way._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Marshall & Doreen LernerDownload & Print the Everyday Judaism Halacha Notes:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RL-PideM42B_LFn6pbrk8MMU5-zqlLG5This episode (Ep. #22) of the Everyday Judaism Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Marshall & Doreen Lerner! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 22, 2024, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 29, 2024_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area!_____________#Halacha, #Jewishlaw, #Jewishtradition, #conversion, #KitzurShulchanAruch, #mentorship, #prayerpractices, #Amidah, #seasonaltextvariations, #communalrole, #prayerroutines, #mistakes, #Torah, #Rambam, #fasting, #alternativemedicine, #dietarylaws, #Americanlaw, #authorship, #oraltradition, #Rambam, #Torahscholarship, #mikveh, #familypurity, #morningrituals, #washinghands ★ Support this podcast ★

If one forgot to inset "Al Hanisim" in the Amidah, he does not have to repeat the Amidah. However, if he remembers before the completion of the Amidah, he should insert it after "Yeh'Yu L'Rason," before "Oseh Shalom." This applies even if he remembered after saying "Baruch Atah Hashem," before concluding "Ha'tov Shimcha." He should not quickly conclude "Lamdeni Hukeha," but should finish the Beracha and insert "Al Hanisim" before Oseh Shalom. There is a disagreement as to how to formulate the "Al Hanisim" at that point. Everyone agrees that if he forgot "Al Hanisim" in the Birkat Hamazon, he does not repeat Birkat Hamazon and should insert it as a "HaRahaman" prayer in the "HaRahaman section, as brought by the Rema in Siman 682. The Mishna Berura there teaches that the same is true in the Amidah-it should be inserted in the form of a supplication. However, the Ben Ish Hai in Hilchot Purim rules that it should be recited in its original form-"Al Hanisim…" If one began a meal at the end of the last day of Hanukah and concluded it after nightfall, according to Maran, he should say "Al Hanisim." It is no different than Birkat Hamazon on Mosa'eh Shabbat, Mosa'eh Yom Tob or Mosa'eh Rosh Hodesh, in which the Birkat Hamazon is defined by the beginning of the meal. Although the Ben Ish Hai understood that this is not the case on Hanukah and Purim, The Minhag of Yerushalayim, Hacham Atiya, Hacham Ovadia and Hacham Bension all agree that one should say "Al Hanisim" after nightfall, preferably if he ate a Kezayit before sunset. In Birkat Hamazon, the word "Migdol" supplants "Magdil" on a day on which there is Musaf. Although Hanukah and Purim do not have Musaf, the Ben Ish Hai rules that on Purim "Migdol" is said, because there is a special "He'arah" (spiritual illumination) on that day. Nevertheless, that would only apply to Purim, whereas on Hanukah the "He'arah" is only during the candle lighting, and therefore "Magdil" is said. The full Hallel is recited all eight days. The Pele Yoes and others emphasize that since the Hallel was one of the primary institutions of Hanukah it should be recited slowly with melody and intent. Even on Pesah, the full Hallel is not recited all eight days. This indicates the magnitude of the Misva of Hallel on Hanukah. The Rambam indicates that women are not obligated to say the Hallel, and although they can recite it, they may not say a Beracha. SUMMARY If one remembered to say "Al Hanisim" after the proper place: In Birkat Hamazon, he should insert it as a "HaRahaman" in the "HaRahaman" section, and in the Amidah, he should insert it before "Oseh Shalom" in its original form. If one started a meal at the end of Hanukah, he should recite "Al Hanisim," in the Birkat Hamazon, even if he concluded after nightfall. In Birkat Hamazon, "Magdil" is said, not "Migdol." Women who chose to say Hallel do not recite the Beracha.

This podcast discusses the halachic intricacies of *Havdalah*, within the motsei Shabbat Amidah, marking the end of Shabbat. Key topics include the proper placement of *Havdalah* within the *Shemonah Esrei* prayer, the later obligation to recite it over a cup of wine, and the sequence of recitations. The podcast also addresses situations where one may forget to include *Havdalah* in the prayer or when mistakes occur, including whether or not one should repeat the prayer or rely on the wine at the end of Shabbat. The discussion touches on various scenarios, such as if one has eaten before *Havdalah*, and explains the rationale for inserting the *Havdalah* blessing within the prayer that asks for wisdom and understanding. The importance of not making personal requests before performing *Havdalah* is also emphasized.

In Siman 682, The Shulhan Aruch outlines the Halachot of inserting the special Hanukah addition of "Al Hanissim" in the Tefilot and Birkat Hamazon. One issue is whether it is permissible for the Shliah Sibbur to remind the congregation to insert "Al Hanisim" in the middle of Arbit. Does announcing "Al Hanisim", after the Kaddish before the Amidah, constitute a Hefsek (interruption) of the Tefila? In Siman 236:2, Maran rules that it is permissible to do so for "Ya'aleh V'Yavo" on Rosh Hodesh. The Mishna Berura (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) there adds that this applies to "Al Hanisim" on Hanukah as well. The Ner Sion, agrees with this, according to the letter of the law, since it is done "L'sorekh Tefila"-for the purpose of prayer, it is not considered a Hefsek (interruption). The Ben Ish Hai (Rav Yosef Haim of Baghdad, 1833-1909) in Parashat Pekudeh brings down that this was the custom of some communities. However, the accepted custom is not to announce "Al Hanisim," but rather, the first person to reach "Al Hanisim" in the silent Amidah raises his voice to remind the rest of the congregation. If one forgot to insert "Al Hanisim" in the Amidah, he is not required to repeat the Amidah. The Poskim discuss whether it is better to skip "Al Hanisim" in order to complete the Amidah in time to recite the "Nakdishach," which according to some authorities is a fulfillment of the Torah obligation to sanctify God's name. Their conclusion is that one should continue to pray the full text of the Amidah and not skip "AL Hanisim" since that is the Misva that he is currently engaged in. If one inserted the "Al Hanisim in the wrong place, for example he said it in the beracha of "Reseh," where Ya'aleh V'Yavo is usually inserted, he must say it again in the correct place-the Beracha of "Modim." The Sha'ar Ha'siyun (Rav Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin, 1839-1933) in 682:2 rules that the insertion of "Al Hanisim" in the wrong place does not constitute a Hefsek (interruption) that would require him to repeat the entire Amidah. The Hachamim did not institute a Hanukah insertion in Beracha "Me'en Shalosh"-the Beracha after snacks, and there is much discussion as to why that is. There are numerous variant versions of the text of the "Al Hanisim." Hacham Ovadia held that it should begin "V'Al Hanisim," whereas Hacham Bension held that the custom is to say "Al Hanisim." Some have the custom to say "Bimeh Matityah," without a Vav, instead of MatityahU. Some say "Matatyah," as is written in the Siddur "Kol Yaakov." However, our custom is to say "Matityah," which is the prevailing version. Some have the reading "L'Hashkiham," instead of "Le'shakeham." Some say "Toratach," as opposed to those who say, "MiToratach." Some say "Hashmona'ee," as opposed to those who read "Hashmonai." Each person should follow his tradition. SUMMARY One should not announce "Al Hanissim" during the Tefila to remind the congregation. "Al Hanisim" should not be skipped in order to finish the Amida in time to answer Nakdishach. If one inserted "Al Hanisim" in the wrong place, he must say it again in its proper place. There are many variant versions of the text of "AL Hanisim," and everyone should follow their tradition.

In this shiur we examine the origins of Chazarat Ha-Sha"tz, the Chazan's repetition of the Amidah. We also investigate some early and rare customs of the Chazara, such as the Chazara for Arvit.

Prepare to unlock the mysteries of prayer as we journey through the profound significance of the number four in Jewish teachings. We gain a deeper understanding of how Hashem's four-letter name and the elemental forces—fire, air, water, and earth—mirror human traits and bodily functions. This episode promises to illuminate the connections between these elements and the four realms of existence, levels of Torah understanding, and the enriching practice of reviewing teachings four times. We also connect these ancient concepts to modern psychology's personality types, the agricultural cycle, Jewish law, and levels of the soul, with a focus on Asiya, the world of action, our current realm.Join us as we explore the structured journey of prayer, moving through gratitude in the world of Asiyah to the spiritual heights of the Amidah. Experience the transformative power of humility, guided by the wisdom of our sages, and appreciate the sacred symbolism of walking multiple hallways to approach a king's inner sanctum. This episode reflects on humility's vital role in prayer, enhancing your spiritual practices with a deeper perspective. Through a tapestry of teachings, we promise a rich exploration of spirituality and a thoughtful examination of how these ancient practices resonate with our modern lives._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Dr. Leonard & June GoldbergDownload the Prayer Podcast Worksheets:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iBVevW1ydyjSeyeO0iCcina7e8vix3Lt?usp=sharingThis episode (Ep. #22) of the Prayer Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Dr. Leonard & June Goldberg! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 3, 2024, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 4, 2024_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area! ★ Support this podcast ★

Prepare to unlock the mysteries of prayer as we journey through the profound significance of the number four in Jewish teachings. We gain a deeper understanding of how Hashem's four-letter name and the elemental forces—fire, air, water, and earth—mirror human traits and bodily functions. This episode promises to illuminate the connections between these elements and the four realms of existence, levels of Torah understanding, and the enriching practice of reviewing teachings four times. We also connect these ancient concepts to modern psychology's personality types, the agricultural cycle, Jewish law, and levels of the soul, with a focus on Asiya, the world of action, our current realm.Join us as we explore the structured journey of prayer, moving through gratitude in the world of Asiyah to the spiritual heights of the Amidah. Experience the transformative power of humility, guided by the wisdom of our sages, and appreciate the sacred symbolism of walking multiple hallways to approach a king's inner sanctum. This episode reflects on humility's vital role in prayer, enhancing your spiritual practices with a deeper perspective. Through a tapestry of teachings, we promise a rich exploration of spirituality and a thoughtful examination of how these ancient practices resonate with our modern lives._____________This Podcast Series is Generously Underwritten by Dr. Leonard & June GoldbergDownload the Prayer Podcast Worksheets:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1iBVevW1ydyjSeyeO0iCcina7e8vix3Lt?usp=sharingThis episode (Ep. #22) of the Prayer Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe of TORCH is dedicated to my dearest friends, Dr. Leonard & June Goldberg! May Hashem bless you and always lovingly accept your prayer for good health, success and true happiness!!!Recorded in the TORCH Centre - Levin Family Studio (B) to a live audience on December 3, 2024, in Houston, Texas.Released as Podcast on December 4, 2024_____________DONATE to TORCH: Please consider supporting the podcasts by making a donation to help fund our Jewish outreach and educational efforts at https://www.torchweb.org/support.php. Thank you!_____________SUBSCRIBE and LISTEN to other podcasts by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe: NEW!! Prayer Podcast: https://prayerpodcast.transistor.fm/episodesJewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodesParsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.transistor.fm/episodesLiving Jewishly Podcast: https://jewishly.transistor.fm/episodesThinking Talmudist Podcast: https://talmud.transistor.fm/episodesUnboxing Judaism Podcast: https://unboxing.transistor.fm/episodesRabbi Aryeh Wolbe Podcast Collection: https://collection.transistor.fm/episodesFor a full listing of podcasts available by TORCH at https://www.TORCHpodcasts.com_____________EMAIL your questions, comments, and feedback: awolbe@torchweb.org_____________Please visit www.torchweb.org to see a full listing of our outreach and educational resources available in the Greater Houston area! ★ Support this podcast ★

1)     I have a non-Jewish lodger in my home. Does the door to his room need a mezuzah?[1] 2)    We had six men reciting the Amidah together. May one of those who lagged behind take over for the Repetition of the Amidah?[2] 3)    I mixed up the wires and plugged in the crock-pot with the cholent to the time-switch and the hotplate remained on. May I lift the cholent while still hot and place it on the hotplate?[3] 4)    I own two let-out properties and I live on the rental income. Recently I needed to spend substantially on repairs on one of the properties. Do I need to give Maaser on the rent from the other property?[4] 5)    As a celiac-sufferer, my bread needs to be gluten-free. If I combine de-glutenised wheat flour with other flours that halachically aren't considered as grain, what proportion of the dough does the wheat-flour need to be for me to be yoitze Lechem Mishneh etc.?[5] 6)    My mechanic messed me about so I had to rent a car. Is he liable for my costs?[6] 7)    After Havdolo, is Brocho Acharona said before or after reciting veYitein Lecho?[7] 8)    We are moving our Shul into new premises. On the east side, just across the alley, is a church. Is that a reason to not place the Oron Kodesh on the eastern wall?[8] 9)    Feedback on number of Tevilos: 10)  Birkas haGoimel said by several men together: Index to previous Panorama Shiurim: Panorama Index 2 - Google Docs [1] ס' שערי המזוזה ((פ"ח ס"ז) פוטר. ואין לדמות למש"כ בס' חובת הדר (פב ס"ב) לחייב. כי התם מיירי בדלת (ראשי) המשותף, שדירת הנכרי אין בכוחה לפטור מכח שותפות של נכרי. ואילו נדו"ד הוא חדר הבלעדי של הנכרי. [2] כן - ראה היטב שוע"ר סי' סט ס"ה; ס' אשי ישראל פכ"ד ס"ט. [3]  אם אין המאכל מבושל כל צרכו, יש בזה איסור בישול מן התורה! [4] ראה ס' צדקה ומשפט פ"ה ס"ט. [5] ראה סדר ברכת הנהנין פ"ח ה"ג – שכשיש בבדגן א' מו' בתערובת הוי לחם. אבל יש אומרים שאינו מברך בהמ"ז עד שיאכל כזית של דגן. ולפי זה, אם הדגן הוא רביע מהתערובת, יראה לאכול שיעור ד' כזיתים מן הלחם (תוך אכילת פרס!), ענין זה נתבאר בארוכה בספר נתיבים בהלכה ומנהג סימן טז?. [6] ראה שו"ע חו"מ סי' שסג ס"ג. [7] בשיחת ז"ך מ"ח מ"ט – אל כינוס השלוחים העולמי – מזכיר שני האופנים. ב'לקט הליכות ומנהגי ש"ק' (זעליגסאן, פ"י) מובא שכ"ק המהר"ש והרש"ב היו אומר 'ויתן לך' תיכף להבדלה (אבל בלא הדגשה על עת ברכה אחרונה), ועל כ"ק אדמו"ר זי"ע מעיד שבירך תחלה ברכה אחרונה ואח"כ אמר 'ויתן לך' בעמידה. ולהעיר מדין ברכה אחרונה לכתחלה לפני שנעקר ממקומו (שוע"ר סי' קעח ס"ד, וש"נ; לוח ברה"נ פ"ו סט"ז; סדר ברכת הנהנין פ"ט הט"ז. ולהעיר שתיבת 'כלל' שבשוע"ר נשמטה ב'לוח' וב'סדר'). ולהעיר שעל פי רוב  היו הרביים שומעים הבדלה מפי אחר (ראה 'לקט' הנ"ל שם). וא"כ לא שייך ללמוד מתכיפתן כלל לנדו"ד. [8] בשו"ת משיב דבר (להנצי"ב, סימן י) דוחה החשש בזה.

In this shiur we examine the final Beracha of the Amidah. We explore the history of its composition, the variant texts, and its close relation to Birkat Kohanim.

During these parshiyos, where we discuss the avos and their introduction of tefilah, the Mashgiach explains that the connection goes much deeper than you may think.

In this shiur we discuss Modim, the Beracha of 'Hodaah' (thanksgiving), and I present the argument that it was originally the last Beracha of the Amidah in the consciousness of the Tannaim.

In this shiur we discuss the early history of the Beracha of Ritzeh, and we explore its history before its inclusion into the Amidah.

Additions to the Amidah During Aseret Yemei Teshuvah by Rabbi Avi Harari

Chazal tell us that the malachim ask HaKadosh Baruch Hu why the Jewish people don't say Hallel on Rosh Hashanah. The Chatam Sofer in his Derashot asked, why would the angels think that we should say Hallel on Rosh Hashanah. On Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, we are celebrating the miracles that Hashem did for us when He took us out of Mitzrayim and gave us the Torah. So that is why we say Hallel on those holidays. But there were no miracles that took place on Rosh Hashanah that should warrant saying Hallel. So why would they think that we should say it? The Chatam Sofer answered, that we have been in galut for nearly 2000 years, and now a new year is coming up and there are still Jews in the world keeping Torah and mitzvot just like they did during the days of Moshe Rabbeinu. Not only that, there are people interested in knowing what time they have until to say Kriyat Shema or until what time they have to say the Amidah . The angels in heaven are amazed that after centuries of persecutions and attempts to get us away from religion, we keep coming back stronger than ever. If we would think about it logically, it doesn't make any sense that there are millions of Jews flourishing in Torah and mitzvot after what we have been through. There are people in every shul across the world learning, praying, doing gemilut chasadim and serving Hashem in the most beautiful ways. The main time to recognize this miracle would be at the beginning of a new year. Our Avot never imagined that in the year 5785, we would still be in galut, and yet still keep every halacha the best way possible. We're still educating our children with purity. We still stand in shul on Rosh Hashanah and accept the kingship of Hashem and we say Malchuyot , Zichronot and Shofarot just like they did in the days of Ravah and Abayeh. There is no miracle greater than this. And so, what did Hashem answer the angels when they asked Him why we aren't saying Hallel? He replied, how could they say Hallel when the Sifrei Chaim and Sifrei Metim are opened in front of Me? The Chatam Sofer explained, those books also refer to the amount of life we will be given when doing mitzvot. Life- meaning excitement and energy. And the Sifrei Metim refers to doing mitzvot without any excitement or any enthusiasm. How could we say Hallel for something that's being decided right at that time? Are we going to have heavenly help to enjoy the Torah and do the mitzvot with a passion? Knowing that this is at stake, it is incumbent upon us to at least try our best on the day of Rosh Hashanah to show as much excitement and enthusiasm as we could when learning and praying. All the blessings for the entire year are found inside the day of Rosh Hashanah, both physical and spiritual. Everything we do on that day matters so much. We eat sweet foods, we act on our best behavior, and we are supposed to put forth our best spiritual efforts in everything we do that day. If we want to do mitzvot with a feeling of life, we have to at least show it outwardly. Even if we may not always have kavanah throughout the year during our tefila , we should make a special effort on Rosh Hashanah to focus from the beginning of the tefila all the way to the end. Hashem is ready to shower us with the greatest year, both spiritually and physically, but first we have to do our part. To get spiritual blessings, we have to want them deep down and show it as well. B'ezrat Hashem, everybody should be inscribed in the Sefer Hachaim , both spiritually and physically. Shabbat Shalom

The centerpiece of Rosh Hashana is the Misva of Shofar. In Parashat Nisavim, there is a Remez (allusion) to this Misva. The Pasuk warns the Jewish people, "Pen Yesh Bachem Shoresh Poreh Rosh V'La'Anah"- Perhaps you will have amongst you a root of someone who wants to throw off Hashem's yoke and rebel. In the Hebrew text, these words form the acronym, Sh'O'Fa'R. This means that the Shofar has the spiritual ability to remove the bad root ingrained in us. After Adam HaRishon ate from the Tree of Knowledge, the evil became an integral part of humanity. Before that, good and evil were separate entities. It was much easier to avoid evil. Now that they are intermingled, it is harder to do good. The Shofar has the ability to engender a spiritual awakening to subjugate the evil root within us. The Halacha requires blowing thirty Shofar blasts in the first stage. This is derived as follows. The Torah uses the word "Teruah" (broken sound) three times. This indicates that three Teruot are required. From other Pesukim, it is learnt that each Teruah blast requires a "Tekiah" (solid sound) both before and after it. This creates a sub-total of nine mandatory blasts. The Gemara records three possibilities as to what is the sound of the Teruah referred to by the Pasuk. It is either what we today call "Teruah" or "Shevarim" or both together-"Shevarim Teruah." Therefore, the Halacha requires to take all three possibilities into account and blow one set of nine blast with each of the three variations. These are known as TaSHRaT (with the Shevarim Teruah), TaRaT (with the Teruah) and TaSHaT (with the Shevarim). Together, this equal the thirty mandatory blasts, which are the main Misva. The Shofar is sounded again during the Amidah, but that is for a different reason. Each type of blast has a minimum measure of length in order to be valid. The Gemara states that minimum length of the Teruah is nine "Tromitin"-the minimal sound possibly emitted. The proper way to blow Teruah is a sequence of nine miniscule sounds, and not like some people, who blow the last sound with more length, creating a "tail". The measure of the Tekiah is the same as the Teruah, but instead of staccato, it is blown solidly. One should avoid the practice of some people who end the sound of their Tekiah by raising the pitch. The Shevarim also has a minimal length of nine Tromitin. Therefore, each of its three blasts, is three Tromitin long. Thus, each of the thirty blasts of shofar is comprised of nine Tromitin, creating a total of 270 Tromitin. This number is significant because it is the Gematria of "RA" (evil). This means that the 270 Tromitin that we hear have the ability to subjugate the "RA"-evil within us. Therefore, one should pay very close attention to the Shofar blowing. While our primary intent is to fulfil the Misva because Hashem commanded it, there are many deep secrets in this Misva, and we pray to Hashem that He count it as though we had all of the other mystical intents.

In this PODCAST, a prayer for the ages. A prayer that may-well “bless” your life. Thank you for listening, and for sharing this message!!! Please remember that depending upon your web browser and connection speed, it may take up to 60 seconds for this podcast to begin to play. God bless you richly as you listen.

The goal of every parent is to train their children to want to do the will of Hashem on their own without having to be told to. One of the greatest tools we can give them for this is to teach them about who they are serving, to tell them how much Hashem loves them and is interested in helping them, to teach them how Hashem controls everything that happens in the world every second of the day, and how good it is for them to follow Torah and mitzvot. Emunah is a great tool for chinuch and can be taught at a very young age. A woman related how much her life has changed for the better since learning emunah. She used to worry about finances, but not anymore, because she knows her parnasa comes from Hashem. She used to be intimidated by her boss, but not anymore because she knows Hashem is the only One in charge. Getting her children into schools, getting job interviews are all done without worry because either way the results are up to Hashem. Whenever she feels uncertain about anything, she picks up a Tehillim and then asks Hashem for help. Her dream is that her children acquire the same type of emunah that she has and they become even better than her. Recently, she felt so good seeing how her little children were absorbing the emunah that she has been portraying. She stayed by her parents for the summer and one morning she asked her two little children if they wanted to go for a walk. Then she remembered that the double stroller was kept outside and the sprinklers go on around four times a week at night. She told her children she had to go outside to see if the stroller was dry because sometimes it gets wet from the sprinklers. So they all went out to check and it was dry. "Baruch Hashem," she said. Then her five-year-old daughter said, "Look, Hashem wanted us to be able to go for a walk so He made sure that the sprinklers didn't go on last night." The woman was so happy hearing those words from her five-year-old. She added, if the stroller would have been wet, she would have taught them Gam zu l'tova and said, "We'll find something better to do." On another occasion, her children were playing on the swing set towards the end of the summer and her five-year-old wondered out loud, "If it's still summer, how come the leaves are falling off the trees?" Her three year old answered, "Because Hashem wants the leaves to fall now. That's why they're falling." It was that simple. Even her three-year-old was picking up on emunah at such a young age. The children can absorb so much, but it's up to us to be their teachers. Children love hearing stories, and so when we hear a nice story that shows Hashem's hashgacha , we should relate it to them. I just read a story that recently took place. A young man named Chaim Dov, lo alenu, is losing sight in his eyes, and he already had a few surgeries and has a couple of more scheduled. The last surgery was beginning early in the morning, and his father woke him up late. There was no time for Chaim Dov to pray, as they had to leave for the surgery right away. Being a chassid of Karlin, Chaim Dov prayed his tefila each morning leading up to the Amidah in a very loud voice with a lot of heart. He couldn't go to the surgery without praying first. His father suggested that he pray up until the Amidah in the taxi, as they had a very long ride to the hospital. Chaim Dov agreed, but then his father said he wouldn't be able to pray loudly as usual, being that they would be in a very small taxi, and the driver would probably throw them out if they bothered him like that. Amazingly, when the driver pulled up, he motioned to them to write down where they wanted to go, as he was hard of hearing. The father said, in all of his life, he never took a taxi with a driver who was hard of hearing. This one time that his son wanted to pray loudly, Hashem sent them a special driver to enable him to do so. Hashem controls everything and always wants to help us. This is the message we must teach by example and have our children learn from.

The Shulchan Aruch (Siman 8) clearly rules that if a person takes off his Tallit in the middle of Tefila, for example, to go to the bathroom, he must make a new Beracha when putting it back on. This ruling is based on a large contingent of Rishonim (early authorities) cited in the Bet Yosef. They argue that since he was "Doche B'Yadayim"- actively detached the Misva from his self, it is now considered a new Misva with its own Beracha, even though he intended to put it on again. However, The Rema disagrees and argues that a new Beracha is not necessary. His rationale is that technically, it is permitted to wear a Tallit in the bathroom; therefore, there was no Halachic interruption mandating a new Beracha. The other position claims that this reasoning supports their opinion. Since it is not mandatory to remove the Tallit in the bathroom, and yet he did so nevertheless, this is a clear indication that he was "Doche B'Yadayim." Halacha L'Maaseh, the practical Halacha is that we follow the principle of "Safek Berachot L'Hakel,"- to be lenient and refrain from saying a Beracha when there is a doubt, against the opinion of Maran. The Shulchan Aruch brings a second case in which the Tallit completely fell off. Here, even the Rema agrees that he must make a new Beracha, because the Misva, as it were, left the person; he did not actively remove it with intent to put it on again. However, Hacham Ovadia found some Rishonim who held that in such a case one does not make a Beracha. Thus, the Halacha is again a "Safek Beracha L'Hakel," a case of doubt, and we are lenient not to say it. Interestingly, in both cases Maran rules to say a new Beracha, yet the practical Halacha is not to do so. Based on this, Hacham Bension rules that if after the Amidah, when wearing a Tallit is less of an obligation, one's Tallit fell off or he went to the bathroom, he should not put it back on, to avoid putting himself in a situation of a doubt in Berachot. SUMMARY If a person removed his Tallit or it fell off, after the Amidah, he should not put it back on. If it happened before the Amidah, he should put it back on without a Beracha.