Lag B’omer is a day of rejoicing (see Rama Orach Chaim 493:2). Depending on the various minhagim, the mourning customs of sefirah either conclude or are put on hold for a day, tachanun is omitted, and for those who can, being in Meiron – the burial place of Rebbi Shimon bar Yochai – is an unforgettable experience. Let us now discuss some of the background and minhagim of this most interesting holiday.
Author Archives: Rabbi Avraham Rosenthal
Davening on the Go
For most people, when one has a routine, things are easy. He knows what he has to do, when he should do it and how to go about it. When something comes up, whether through a voluntary change in routine or because of the unexpected, people tend to get lost and not know how to […]
Pesach Sheini
Pesach is already a distant memory. Lag Ba’omer and the beginning of the post-sefirah wedding season are almost upon us. However, before we get to that, we first have an almost unnoticed date on the Jewish calendar – the fourteenth of Iyar, otherwise known as Pesach Sheini. Let us examine this holiday and some of its unique minhagim.
The Minhag of Gebrokts
Probably the most often-asked Pesach related question is: “Do you eat gebrokts?” “Gebrokts” is the German or Yiddish term referring to something “broken apart” – in this case, matzah. (In Hebrew, this practice is referred to more accurately as “sheruyah” – “soaked.”) Many communities refrain from eating matzah or matzah products that have come in […]
Eating on the Go
With the start of the summer season, I found it apropos in my last article to discuss the halachos of tefilas haderech. Keeping with that theme, it is worthwhile to review some of the halachos that apply when a person eats while traveling. Question #1: If one is traveling and does not have water available […]
The Exotic Traveler
In my last article (“Davening on the Go,” Parshas Baha’aloscha), I discussed many halachos of davening that are relevant for one who is traveling. At the end of that article, I cited several scenarios of travel itineraries that could be halachically problematic for the frum traveler. This week, we will elaborate on those issues and […]
Tefilas Haderech
On Shabbos Parshas Baha’aloscha we read how the Bnei Yisrael set up their camp and how they traveled in the desert. The intention was that in this formation, they would travel to Eretz Yisrael. Unfortunately, because of the sin of the spies, they were instead forced to wander in the midbar for forty years. I […]
When Yom Tov Occurs on Motzai Shabbos
Question #1: Is it permitted to do any Yom Tov preparations on Shabbos? Question #2: How does one fulfill the obligation of Seudah Shlishis on Shabbos which is also Erev Yom Tov? Question #3: Which special halachos apply to the combined Kiddush–Havdalah (YaKNeHaZ) that we recite on this Motzai Shabbos? SHABBOS WITHOUT CHAZAL Imagine for […]
Kohanim and Impurity – Part II
Kohanim, Impurity and Us – Part II In Part I we discussed several halachic issues that kohanim face. In this week’s column we will interview Rabbi Yochanan Lombard, co-founder and co-director of Taharas Hakohanim to see how these and other issues are being solved. TAHARAS HAKOHANIM AR: Rabbi Lombard, what is the purpose of your […]
Kohanim and Impurity – Part I
Kohanim, Impurity and Us Many people have a hidden desire to be a kohein. What could be better than getting an aliyah a couple of times a month? Or having the first shot at leading the zimun when it comes to birkas hamazon? It also seems very glamorous to be the center of attention during […]
The Mitzvah of Talmud Torah
In this week’s parsha we read that (Vayikra 26:3), “if you go in My statutes,” then Hashem will bestow on Klal Yisrael unlimited blessings. Rashi explains that this does not merely refer to the fulfillment of the mitzvos, as it also says in the possuk, “and if you keep My mitzvos and you do them.” […]