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...]
Halachot of Rosh Hashana
HaRav Yishai Natan - Hilchot Rosh Hashanah Understanding Halachah and Minhag When it comes to Rosh Hashanah, it is important to understand what is actual halachah, what is a minhag, what is a chumra, and what is simply a good practice. Sometimes people assume that everything they have heard must be done, which can create unnecessary pressure and friction in the … [Read more...]
Nitzavim/VaYelech – Standing for Kaddish and Torah Reading
HaRav Yishai Natan - The pasuk says at the beginning of Parashat Nitzavim, "Atem nitzavim hayom kulchem" — “You are all standing today.” The pasuk is obviously not speaking about the halachot of when we have to stand in the Bet Knesset. However, since the pasuk speaks about standing, we will use the opportunity to discuss some of the common situations in which people … [Read more...]