Rabbi Yishai Natan - 1. Why Do We Say Korbanot? Gemara (Ta'anit 27b): In this week's parasha, Lech Lecha, Hashem promises Avraham Avinu that his descendants will inherit Eretz Yisrael. Avraham asks (Bereshit 15:8): במה אדע כי אירשנה — How will I know that I will inherit it? The Gemara explains that Avraham was concerned that the Jewish people might sin and be … [Read more...]
The Rainbow
Rabbi Yishai Natan - In Parashat Noah, after the great Flood destroyed nearly the entire world, Hashem promised Noah that He would never again destroy all living creatures through a worldwide flood. As a sign of this promise, Hashem declared, "אֶת קַשְׁתִּי נָתַתִּי בֶּעָנָן וְהָיְתָה לְאוֹת בְּרִית בֵּינִי וּבֵין הָאָרֶץ" — "I have placed My rainbow in the cloud, and it … [Read more...]
Halachot of Birkat HaLevanah
HaRav Yishai Natan - In this week’s parashah, Bereshit, the Torah says that Hashem created: ״את שני המאורות הגדולים״ Hazal explain that originally the sun and moon were created the same size. The moon complained, ״אפשר לשני מלכים שישתמשו בכתר אחד?״ — “Can two kings share one crown?” Hashem then told the moon, ״לכי ומעטי את עצמך״ — “Go and make yourself smaller” (Hullin … [Read more...]
Halachot of Sukkot
HaRav Yishai Natan - Who Can Build the Sukkah? May a non-Jewish worker build your sukkah. For example, someone in construction may already have workers whom he is paying and would like them to build his sukkah. The Gemara says that a sukkah built by non-Jews or women is kasher, as long as it was built for the purpose of providing shade. The Shulhan Aruch rules as … [Read more...]
Hilchot Yom Kippur
HaRav Yishai Natan - Kiddush Levanah The Rama writes that Kiddush Levanah should be said after Yom Kippur, because Kiddush Levanah should be said when a person is happy. After Yom Kippur, a person is happy that his sins have been forgiven. However, the Mishnah Berurah brings opinions that it is better to say Kiddush Levanah before Yom Kippur, so that a person can … [Read more...]