#daf notes

The date כג סיון is an important date mentioned in תנ”ך, in the Purim story, when the נהפוך הוא began. This is the date that the second letters went out, allowing the yidden to defend themselves. The Rokeach says that this is the largest pasuk in תנ”ך, being that the pasuk is a positive one for כלל ישראל. The months of תמוז and אב were originally destined for greatness, and it’s our job to bring…

The Bedtime Keri’at Shema

Question: Is it obligatory to read the bedtime Keri’at Shema? Similarly, should the blessing of “Hamapil” printed in Siddurim be recited before Keri’at Shema including Hashem’s name? Answer: The Gemara (Berachot 60b) states: “One who goes into bed to sleep recites the blessing ‘Hamapil Chevlei Shena Al Einai.’” The Tosafot and Mordechi write that all of the blessings quoted in the final chapter…

“One Who Hears is Like One Who Recites”

In the previous Halachot we have discussed the laws of blessings of thanksgiving, such as the “Ha’Gomel” blessing, which require several conditions in order to recite them. Now we shall explain the law of “one who hears is like one who recites”.

Our Sages teach us in Masechet Sukkah (38b) an important rule that applies to all Mitzvot of the Torah related to speaking (reciting), for instance,…

The month of Elul is meant as a time of self-introspection for the entire Jewish nation. It is therefore customary to pay attention to which Tefillin and Mezuzot need checking and to have them checked at this time.

The Rambam writes: “If one writes Tefillin by himself or buys them from an expert or from any other person and checks them and returns them to their [leather] encasing, he need not…

Repentance Among the Nations

Repentance Among the Nations of the World

Question: Yesterday, we discussed the concept that repentance is a novel idea Hashem granted to the Jewish nation. Does the concept of repenting for one’s sins not apply to the other nations of the world as well?

Answer: The Midrash Tanchuma (Parashat Nitzavim) states: “When the Jewish nation does Hashem’s will, Hashem is present for them to accept…

Injustice of Our Hands

So that We May Refrain from the Injustice of Our Hands

During the Ne’ilah prayer, the prayer that culminates all the Days of Awe recited towards the conclusion of Yom Kippur, we state: “And You, Hashem our G-d, have given us this Yom Kippur etc. for pardon, forgiveness, and atonement so that we may refrain from the injustice of our hands and return to fulfill the statutes of your will with a…

Eating Meat Following Rosh Av

The Mishnah in Masechet Ta’anit (26b) tells us that on Erev Tisha Be’av during the last meal one eats before the fast, one may not eat meat, drink wine, or eat two cooked foods, such as rice and an egg. Although the letter of the law dictates that the prohibition to eat meat only applies during the last meal one eats before the fast of Tisha Be’av, nevertheless, the custom of the Jewish nation is…