Rabbi Chaim Vital, a remarkable figure in Jewish history, was born around 1543 CE. His family's origins in Calabria, Italy, earned him the name Rabbi Chaim Vital Calabrese. He served as a rabbi in Tzfas and was the primary disciple of Rav Isaac Luri…
What should someone wear on Chol Hamoed? The Mechilta (12:16) brings a verse in Vayikra (23:2) to teach us that on Yom Tov and even on Chol Hamoed, one is obligated to sanctify the day with clothes and food. However, the dress code on Chol Hamoed …
Here's a clever tip for remembering short-term tasks, such as counting Sefiras Haomer at night: deliberately and slightly misplace an object, like your ring, watch, or phone. Rediscovering the displaced item will prompt your memory about the task at…
Rabbi Yechiel Yitzchak Perr (1935 - 2024) was an American-born rabbi known for founding and serving as the rosh yeshiva of Yeshiva Derech Ayson (Yeshiva of Far Rockaway) in New York. His educational journey includes attending Mesivta Yeshiva Rabbi C…
The Parsha commences with the Kohen's practice on Yom Kippur. Following the death of Aaron's sons, G-d instructed Moshe to relay to Aaron the prohibition of entering the Most Holy Place (קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים, Kodesh Ha-Kodashim) at will, as it could resu…
There is a widespread custom to study one chapter of Pirkei Avos each Shabbas afternoon during the summer months. (Rema O.C. 292:2) Some observe the custom for the first six weeks following Pesach, thereby completing the entire tractate of Pirkei A…
After you've finally finished putting away your Pesach items, it's time to make Schlissel or Key Challah (shlissel challah, or key challah. Shlissel originates from the German word for key: shlüssel.) It is an old and established custom that on…
Rav Moshe ben Nachman (מֹשֶׁה בֶּן־נָחְמָן Mōše ben-Nāḥmān, "Moses son of Nachman"; 1194–1270), known as Nachmanides or Ramban, was born in Girona in 1194 and passed away in the Land of Israel around 1270. Descending from Rav Yitzchak ben Reuve…
Where does the custom to steal the Afikoman come from? The source is not clear, but the Chok Yaakov (472:2) says it could come from the Gemara in Pesachim (109a): The Gemara says, "We grab the matzah on pesach night so the children don't sleep." We…
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר נָתַן לַשֶּֽׂכְוִי בִינָה לְהַבְחִין בֵּין יוֹם וּבֵין לָֽיְלָה: Blessed are You, Hashem our God, King of the Universe, Who gives the rooster understanding to distinguish between day and night. The significance of a rooster'…
