After Netilas Yadayim in the morning, one says Asher Yatzar as part of Birchas Hashachar. Avudram writes that one should say it even if he didn’t use the bathroom. The Beis Yosef asks, since the bracha was instituted to be said after re…
Correct Procedure for Netillas Yadayim in the morning: • One should wash with a cup. This is due to Rashba's opinion that weare washing just as the kohen washed his hands with a utensil everymorning. (SA 4.7, Pri megadim MSZ 1.) • You sh…
Netilas Yadayim After saying Modeh Ani, one must wash Netilas Yadayim. (Although many siddurim print Reishis Chochma right after Modeh Ani, there is a machlokes as to whether or not you are allowed to say pesukim like this before Birchos HaTorah. …
The phrase "מודה אני" is structured differently from the literal translation of "I thank Hashem" (אני מודה). Why do we seem to say it backward? One perspective, as shared by Rabbi Aharon Leib Shteinman, suggests that by placing "אני" (I) after "מוד…
Parshas Mishpatim (מִּשְׁפָּטִים—Hebrew for "laws") sets out a series of laws; some refer to it as the Covenant Code. It reports the people's acceptance of the covenant with God. The parsha addresses laws on Hebrew indentured servants and enslav…
Rabbi Yisrael ben Ze'ev Wolf Lipkin, also known as "Rav Yisrael Salanter," was a famous Rosh yeshiva and expert Talmudist who founded the Mussar movement. The epithet Salanter was added to his name since most of his schooling took place in Sal…
According to the Ashkenaz custom, the Haftarah for this week comes from Yeshayahu (6:1-7:6, 9:5-6). The Levush (685) explains the connection to parshas Yisro: In our parashah, we have the greatest revelation in history- Mattan Torah- when Hashem ga…
THOU SHALT NOT COVET. Many people are amazed at this commandment. They ask, how can a person not covet all attractive things that appear desirable to him in his heart? I will now answer you with an allegory. Note that a peasant of sound mind …
חזקוני (Yisro-20/1)וידבר אלהים את כל הדברים האלה כביכול כאדם המסדר בלבו דברים כדי לאמרם לאחרים כך וידבר בינו לבין עצמו ואח״כ לומר לישראל. אנכי ה׳ אלהיך זש״ה אז ראה ויספרה הכינה וגם חקרה ויאמר לאדם וגו׳ למדתך תורה דרך ארץ אם תהיה …
At a US neurological conference, global experts discussed a peculiar fainting issue upon waking. Prof. Linda McMahon concluded that swift rising causes blood to rush from the feet to the brain, leading to fainting. Her advice: sit up and count to tw…
