For many people, including many who are otherwise not observant, Yizkor has become an indispensable part of their shul experience. Indeed, although Yizkor can halachically be said privately and without a minyan, it has become a major draw to the synagogue, especially on Yom Kippur. How is it permitted to conduct an ostensibly sad ceremony […]

In the story told in the Haggadah about the Seder in Bnei Brak Rebbe Elazar ben Azarya says he was never able to prevail over the chachamim regarding the requirement to remembering Yetziat Mitzrayim at night until now. Why wasn’t Rabban Gamliel present with the rest of the leaders of the generation? What changed at […]

The Navi describes the Korban Pesach brought by King Yoshiyahu as unparalleled. Rav Yonasan Eibeshutz asks what made this Korban Pesach different from other ones brought such as the ones brought in the days of David and Shlomo? Download the mekorot Shiur provided courtesy of Torah Anytime

The haftarah of the seventh day of Pesach is the song of David HaMelech to parallel Az Yashir/Shirat HaYam in the Torah Reading. The last verse of the haftarah (Shmuel II 22:51) reads: “מגדול ישועות מלכו ועושה חסד למשיחו לדוד ולזרעו עד עולם” This pasuk is repeated almost word-for-word in Tehillim (ch. 18) where the […]

ויבאו בני ישראל בתוך הים ביבשה והמים להם חומה מימינם ומשמאלם” – שמות יד:כב” ובני ישראל הלכו ביבשה בתוך הים והמים להם חמה מימינם ומשמאלם” – שמות יד:כט” Why does the Torah virtually repeat the pasuk with minor differences? Did they go into the sea which then turned into dry land or did they walk […]

A new, full-length maamar and kumzits on Pesach.

When ashkenazim go to sephardi homes, what can they eat, what is the status of the plates and utensils? The origin of kitniyot and the concern about chametz getting mixed in with kitniyot. Kitniyot cannot become chametz, the concern is chametz getting mixed in (since chametz is asur b’mashehu). Kitniyot is not actual chametz and […]

When you read the Pesach story, you come across something so remarkable and counter-intuitive, which has an important lesson for us today.

Why were the five tannaim gathered at the home of Rebbe Akiva on the Seder night and not at home? Rebbe Eliezer himself praised those who stay home for Yom Tov rather than going away! Additionally, two of the others were Rebbe Akiva’s rebbeim, why would they be at his house? Why was he able […]