HaRav Yishai Natan - The pasuk says, “Veyated tihyeh lecha al azenecha.” When going out to war, a person was required to take a shovel with him. Why would someone need a shovel when going to war? A sword makes sense, but why a shovel? The pasuk explains, “Vechisita et tze’atecha.” After going to the bathroom, a person had to cover up his waste. We won’t discuss the … [Read more...]
CUTTING DOWN A FRUIT TREE
HaRav Yishai Natan - The Torah says: “When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it and capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them, for you may eat from them, and you shall not cut them down.” (Devarim 20:19) The Torah tells us that when laying siege to a city, we may not cut down its fruit trees. Since the trees provide … [Read more...]
HALACHOT OF THE 9 DAYS AND SHAVUA SHE’HAL BO
Harav Yishai Natan - The Mishnah's Restrictions The Mishnah (Ta’anit 26b) records three restriction: Those are the only restrictions found explicitly in the Mishnah. Additional Customs Beginning on Rosh Hodesh Av The additional restrictions observed during the Nine Days come from a Beraita brought in Yevamot (43a). One example is neti'ah shel … [Read more...]
Dishwashers: Meat and Milk Together?
HaRav Yishai Natan - This week's Parashah discusses the war against Midyan. After the battle, the pasuk says, "Kol davar asher yavo ba'esh ta'aviru ba'esh," teaching the laws of libun and hakhsharat keilim because of the beliut (taste) that got absorbed in the kelim. That leads us to a practical question: Are you allowed to use the same dishwasher for meat and … [Read more...]
Can Women Make Havdalah?
HaRav Yishai Natan - The daughters of Selofhad had no brothers, and they wanted a portion in Eres Yisrael. They were not just looking for a nice apartment or a comfortable place to live. They wanted a portion in the land so they could fulfill the Mitzvah properly, with kavanah leshem Shamayim. Many times, women also have a strong desire to perform Misvot. They see men … [Read more...]