Behind the scenes of the thick Matzah discussion and its unlikely relation to some of the well-known Pessah stringencies / By Rabbi Ariel Ovadia Preface In our previous article we cited the opinion of the Bet Yosef that a Matzah may be baked as thick as a Tefah [appx. 3-4 inches]. Some Aharonim, such as the Bet Hillel, peg the limit at an Etzba [appx. ½ inch]. Our thick … [Read more...]
Papouchado: Hametz or Matzah?
An audio Shiur by Rabbi Mordechai Lebhar … [Read more...]
Matzot: Thick, Thin and In Between
The Origins and Halachic Viability of Thick Matzot / By Rabbi Ariel Ovadia Ask any Jew, religious or not-so-much, what Matzah looks like, and most probably they will answer that it is hard and thin with many rows of holes punched in. Indeed, it is the practice of almost all Jews to eat thin Matzot. Some bakeries have even made a name for themselves by selling extra-thin … [Read more...]
Mocking the Have Nots
The prohibition of performing Mitzvot in the presence of the dead – “Lo’eg LaRash” By Rabbi Ariel Ovadia The Parasha of Para discusses all of the various Halachot of one who comes in contact with a dead body, many of which – in our days – only concern Kohanim who are forbidden to come in contact with the dead. There is, however, a very relevant discussion that may … [Read more...]
Mental Capacity in Halacha
Adapted from an article by Rabbi Micha Cohn In recent decades, tremendous progress has been made in the field of mental health. Many conditions that have never been defined nor diagnosed are now household terms, and awareness of the importance of addressing mental health issues, and the people affected by it, has risen dramatically. In this article, we would like to discuss … [Read more...]