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 Erev & Tisha Be’av
HaRav Yishai Natan - Listen to the shiur below Seudah Mafseket — The Final Meal Before Tish’a BeAv As we approach Tish’a BeAv, one of the most misunderstood areas of halachah is the Seudah Mafseket, the final meal before the fast. Many people are unsure what they may or may not eat. There are essentially two accepted ways to observe the Seudah Mafseket. First, we will … [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...]