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 … [Read more...]
Statues, Pictures, and Sheitel Heads
HaRav Yishai Natan - Nehash HaNehoshet This week is a double parashah. Since we are a week behind Eretz Yisrael, we catch up by reading two parashiyot. In Parashat Hukat, the pasuk says that Mosheh Rabbenu made a copper snake, the Nehash Nehoshet. Whoever was bitten would look at it and be healed. This raises an obvious question: How was Mosheh Rabbenu allowed … [Read more...]
Covering Hair and Shaitels
HaRav Yishai Natan - The Midrash in Parashat Korah, says that the wife of On ben Pelet saved him. On ben Pelet was originally together with Korah and his group, planning to rebel against Moshe. His wife told him, “This does not make any sense. You are going to rebel against Moshe, but you are not even going to receive any position. You will not become a Kohen, … [Read more...]
Parashat Shelah – ציצית tucked in or left out?
HaRav Yishai Natan - This week's parasha ends with the mitzvah of tzitzit, which we mention every day in Keriat Shema. A major discussion among Sephardim is whether tzitzit should be tucked in or left out. The Contradiction in the Tur The Tur (Siman 8) writes that when a person wakes up in the morning, he must first wash his hands before making any berachot. … [Read more...]