Monday, February 29, 2016

Susie Fishbein Has Released the Final Installment in the Kosher By Design Series! Nachum Hosted Susie to Get the Details.


Nachum welcomed renowned chef and cookbook author Susie Fishbein to this morning’s JM in the AM to highlight the latest and final installment in the Kosher By Design series: “Kosher By Design Brings It Home.” From the Artscroll website: “In this final installment in her bestselling Kosher by Design cookbook series, Susie Fishbein presents fresh new recipes culled from her 15-year culinary journey. Along with many poignant stories gleaned from her cooking demos, Susie also shares tantalizingly delicious recipes learned from the great chefs she encountered in Italy, France, Mexico, Israel, and across North America. This stunning cookbook offers a magnificent full-color photo to accompany each of the 113 cross-cultural recipes. It is seasoned with entertaining anecdotes and finely spiced recipes such as: Coconut Lime Pargiyot Skewers, Tuna Ceviche Tostados, Moroccan Harira Soup, Herbed Halibut & White Beans, Mujadara, Korean Short Ribs, and Tuscan Square Roast. Kosher by Design Brings It Home is Susie’s superlative conclusion to the cookbooks that elevated kosher cooking to world-class taste and presentation. You will find appealing options for everyday as well as special occasion cooking, including a cornucopia of delicious desserts, such as the updated classic, New Fishbein Brownies, and the tantalizing new combination, Halvah Baklava.”

Halacha Yomis - Hafrashas challah, sharing OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


Q. Can one make a 10 lb. dough and divide it in half and give half to a friend so that she too can take challah with a beracha? (subscriber’s question) A. In theory, it is true that if one has in mind that they are taking challah on only half the dough, the second half would remain tevel (still require hafrashas challah) and one would make a beracha when they separate challah on the second half. However, Rav Schachter explained that one is not permitted to do this. Excluding the second half of the dough, is goreim a beracha she’aino tzricha (causes an unnecessary beracha to be recited), which is forbidden. Even if a dough is 10 lbs., twice the size that is necessary for hafrashas challah, still only one kezayis is separated as challah, as per Rema (Yoreh De’ah 322:5).

Halacha Yomis - Hafrashas challah, disposal OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


Q. How should I dispose of the challah that I separated? A. In the days of the Beis Hamikdash, challah was given to a Kohen who was required to eat it when he was tahor (ritually clean). Since today our challah is tamei (ritually unclean), it is not eaten by the Kohen. Instead, we have a mitzvah to burn it. Because challah may not be eaten, it is like all other non-kosher foods, and should not be placed directly on kosher pans or on the oven surface. If the oven is empty or is being used to bake dry items (such as bread), one may place the challah dough on a separate piece of aluminum foil. If there are foods in the oven that contain liquid, or that are oily, such as meat and poultry, one should wrap the challah dough in aluminum foil. Preferably it should be wrapped in a double layer of foil to prevent tears. The challah should be left in the oven until it is thoroughly burnt. One should flatten the dough as much as possible, so that it will burn more easily.

NAALEH.COM Urgent Tefillos Needed Immediately - Yehuda ben Ayelet


Dear Naaleh Friends, Please say Tehillim chapters 142, 130, and 20 as soon as possible, for the refuah shleima of Yehuda ben Ayelet, a baby in critical condition. May we share only good news, The Naaleh Crew Naaleh.com

Sunday, February 28, 2016

[Aneinu] Name Correction - Please Daven


The correct name is Mordechai Leib ben Frieda. Please say tehillim for Mordechai Leon Ben Frieda, father of Chicagoans, who needs a refuah shleima.

[Aneiu] Please Daven


Please say tehillim for Mordechai Leon Ben Frieda, father of Chicagoans, who needs a refuah shleima.

Saturday, February 27, 2016

YWN [Aneinu] Hadassah Hospital Update on Maale Adumim Terror Victim


The spokesman’s office of Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital on motzei Shabbos reports the man who was critically injured in the Thursday night axe terror attack in Maale Adumim remains in very serious condition. The patient, Tzvika ben Batya, remains in a medically induced coma on a respirator in a neurological ICU following extensive neurosurgery. Shai police report on motzei Shabbos that following the attack, Palestinian workers will be barred from entering the city until Thursday, 23 Adar-I with the exclusion of “essential workers”. (YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem) - See more at: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/391337/hadassah-hospital-update-on-maale-adumim-terror-victim.html#sthash.jsCSZWyq.dpuf

Friday, February 26, 2016

[Aneinu] Please Daven


Please daven for Chicagoan, Reuven Dovid Ben Chana.

Thursday, February 25, 2016

NSN By the Book with Nachum Segal Episode 49: Featuring Dr. Alan Jotkowitz and Yael Unterman


On this edition of By the Book, sponsored by Koren Publishers, Nachum Segal interviewed Dr. Alan Jotkowitz and Yael Unterman about their contributions to the fascinating new book, “Torah and Western Thought: Intellectual Portraits of Orthodoxy and Modernity.” From the Koren website: Even as the twentieth century will be remembered for the West’s loss of faith, Jewish Orthodoxy itself experienced in that very time a golden age of leaders and teachers who sought to bridge the world of Torah and that of the West. Some of these Torah figures were deeply impacted by an academic field, such as philosophy or literature. Others developed a Torah-based perspective on developments within the West, such as the rise of Zionism, democracy, or biotechnology. Still others reflected on the very nature of religious knowledge itself. The Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University invited twenty-first century thinkers to paint an intellectual portraits of these luminaries, illustrating how each figure bridged the worlds of Torah and the West in a unique way. The essays would thereby serve to inspire Orthodox Jews and all intellectually engaged individuals of faith to learn from their lives, and to have the courage to bridge these worlds as well. Great thinkers examined include Rabbi Yehuda Amital, Rabbi Yitzchak Herzog, Rabbi Immanuel Jakobovits, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, Prof. Nechama Leibowitz, Rabbi Dr. Aharon Lichtenstein, Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik, Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik and Rabbi Dr. Isadore Twersky. With essays by contemporary thinkers Rabbi Shalom Carmy, Dr. Carmi Horowitz, Dr. Alan Jotkowitz, Dr. Yehudah Mirsky, Dr. Daniel Rynhold, Dr. David Shatz, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, Yael Unterman, Rabbi Itamar Warhaftig, Rabbi Reuven Ziegler, and Rabbi Shlomo Zuckier.

Chumash Mesoras HaRav – Sefer Vayikra IS AT KESHER STAM


Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik, the “Rav,” was the towering rabbinic thinker of the 20th century. As part of the wellspring of his Torah knowledge, he taught, wrote, and lectured extensively on Chumash with profound insight and brilliant creativity. The Rav, however, never wrote a systematic commentary on Chumash, and, until now, the only way to study the Rav’s interpretation and analysis of Chumash was to search for pertinent material by wading through the Rav’s published essays and other writings and hard-to-find audio tapes of his lectures and shiurim. With the publication of Chumash Mesoras HaRav, for the first time the Rav’s teachings have been collected together and organized according the verses of the Torah upon which they expound. Edited with great skill by Dr. Arnold Lustiger, this groundbreaking Chumash, collects and adapts the Rav’s writings and teachings into a published commentary on Sefer Vayikra that reflects his intellectual breadth and depth, his exegetical creativity, and the timelessness of his insights. Dr. Lustiger performed the Herculean task of compiling the English commentary from already published sources, unpublished manuscripts, transcripts of relevant tapes, notes, and reliable reports of the Rav’s thoughts. Complete with the Hebrew text with vocalization and cantillation signs, an English translation of the Torah text, Rashi’s commentary, and an eloquent and original Torah commentary, the Chumash Mesoras HaRav is perfect for synagogue, home, and school use. The Rav’s teachings on the Chumash have never been more easily accessible, and readers will welcome this monumental work with the same enthusiasm with which they have welcomed and embraced the Mesorat HaRav Haggadah, Kinot, and Siddur. This commentary provides entrée to the Rav’s writings like never before and encourages readers to explore the Rav’s extensive library of published works.Click here to view the complete commentary on Parashas Vayikra!

Letters of the Chofetz Chaim 2 Vol. Set IS AT KESHER STAM


Plus receive the sefer Ma'amar Marganita Tovah מרגניתא טבא Precious and Sacred Principles of Torah living by Rabbi Yehonatan Wallener Zt"L

Halacha Yomis - Hafrashas challah, liquid batter OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


Q. Do liquid batters such as cake batters require hafrashas challah? Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 329:2) writes that liquid batters also require hafrashas challah, provided that they contain the amount of flour for which one takes challah. However, according to Rabbeinu Tam, challah can only be taken after the batter has been baked. Therefore, one should first bake the cake and then cut off a small piece for hafrashas challah. Alternatively, one can pour off a small amount of batter into a cupcake tin, and bake it alongside the cake. After the cakes are removed from the oven, one should take the cupcake out of the tin and place it on top of the pan of cake and cover them with a towel. Then one should declare the cupcake challah. However, some will not make a beracha on hafrashas challah on cake in deference to the opinion of Aruch Hashulchan (329:15).

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Ywn Aneinu Tehillim – HaGaon HaRav Chaim Shlomo Leibowitz, Rosh Yeshiva In Ponevez, In Critical Condition


Doctors in Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer Hospital on Wednesday reported a severe deterioration in the condition of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Shlomo Leibowitz Shlita, a Rosh Yeshiva in Ponavezh in Bnei Brak. The Rosh Yeshiva has been placed on a respirator and is in need of Rachmei Shomayim. The next 2 days are critical. May we hear besoros tovos. The tzibur is asked to be mispallel for Chaim Shlomo ben Tzeita Leah bsoch sha’ar cholei yisroel. (YWN World Headquarters)

[Aneinu] Update on Sarah bas Dina (Kallah from the bus crash)


Sarah bas Dina, has fever and an infection, please redouble your davening and tehillim efforts for her! Here's the link if you want to do it online. Thanks. So far 21 books of tehillim have been recited from this linkhttp://tehilimyahad.com/mr.jsp?r=PTkPjKUJfD

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Testing Today


Please daven for Shelly bas Rona who is having serious testing done today.

YWN Eliav Gellman (30) HY’D, Father Of Two, Killed By IDF Fire During Palestinian Terror Attack At Gush Junction


30-year-old Eliav Gellman HY’D, is the latest victim of Palestinian terror. Eliav, who is a resident of Karmei Tzur, and an IDF reserve duty Captain, was R”L killed by errant IDF gunfire during a Palestinian stabbing attack at the Gush Etzion Junction on Wednesday. According to an initial investigation, Elieav was apparently attacked and stabbed by Palestinian terrorist Mamduh Amro. IDF forces at the scene fired multiple shots at the terrorist in order to neutralize the terrorist, but tragically struck Eliav. Ads By Artscroll: Click Here! Following the attack he was rushed in critical condition to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem where doctors tried to save his life. Tragically, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. He leaves behind a wife and two children. Levaya details to be announced. Boruch Dayan HaEmmes… (YWN World Headquarters – NYC) - See more at: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/390195/eliav-gellman-30-hyd-father-of-two-killed-by-idf-fire-during-palestinian-terror-attack-at-gush-junction.html#sthash.P8G8oDts.dpuf

Halacha Yomis - Hafrashas challah, store bought dough OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


Q. I sometimes buy several bags of pizza dough from the supermarket, and bake them together. Do I need to take challah? A. Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 330:1) writes that the dough of a non-Jew is exempt from the mitzvah of hafrashas challah. This is true, even if the dough is later given to a Jew who bakes it into bread. If the dough was made by a Jewish owned company that is certified by the OU, you can be assured that the OU arranged for challah to be taken.

Jewish press Israeli Critically Wounded in Terror Attack at Gush Etzion Junction By Hana Levi Julian


An Arab terrorist attacked an Israeli, around 12:20 PM on Wednesday, at the Gush Etzion Junction in Judea, about 15 minutes south of Jerusalem. The terrorist attempted to stab one Israeli at a hitchhiking post. The Israeli managed to pull out his pistol to defend himself. The terrorist was neutralized by IDF gunfire. The terrorist is listed in moderate condition and was evacuated to the hospital. It now appears that the intended Israeli victim was shot by friendly fire from the IDF soldiers neutralizing the terrorist. The victim was treated by medics before being evacuated in critical condition to Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center with a chest wound. His name for your prayers is: Eliav ben Sara Rachel.

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Halacha Yomis - Hafrashas challah- whole wheat OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


Q. If I normally only make a beracha when I make a dough with 5 pounds of flour, is the amount the same when I use whole wheat flour (which includes the bran)? A. Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 324:3) writes that bran counts towards the amount needed for challah, provided that the bran was not first removed. However, if the bran was sifted out, even if afterwards it is recombined, it can no longer be counted. In some mills, when they make whole wheat flour, the bran is not separated. However, in other mills, the bran is sifted out and then metered back in and would not count for the measurement of challah. What makes this more confusing, is that some mills employ both systems, and the two methods create identical products. Since the bran constitutes approximately 14% of the kernel weight, because of the uncertainty as to whether the bran was removed, if you intend to say a beracha, you should add 14% more flour. So instead of using 5 pounds of flour, you should use about 5.7 lbs.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Aneinu Please Daven


Please daven for the sister of an Aneinu member, Atara Bat Elka,  who will be having heart surgery on February 29, 2016. 

Halacha Yomis - Hafrashas challah guidelines OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


Q. What is the size of dough that requires hafrashas challah? A. Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 324:1) writes that the mitzvah of hafrashas challah depends exclusively on the volume of flour. If a Jew makes dough from one or more of the five grains (wheat, barley, spelt, oats, rye) that contains the volume of 43.2 beitzim (eggs) of flour then challah must be taken. However, there is a wide ranging dispute as to how to measure the volume of an egg. Since, the ratio of volume to weight for flour is known; it is more common to state the amount of flour that will require hafrashas challah in pounds. From slightly more than half a 5 lb. bag of flour, until slightly less than a full bag of flour, challah should be taken without a beracha On a full 5 lb. bag of flour, challah should be taken with a beracha.

Halacha Yomis - fleishig onion, pareve food processor OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


I cut an onion with a fleishig knife and then accidentally put the onion into my pareve food processor. Is my food processor still pareve, or does it need to be kashered? There is a disagreement among poskim as to the status of this food processor. The Magen Avrohom (451:31) writes that if one cut a spicy food, such as ginger, with a fleishig knife, and then crushed the ginger in a grinder, the grinder would become fleishig. Subsequent spicy foods that are put in the grinder will become fleishig as well. However, the Even Ha’ozer (Y.D. 96:3) disagrees, and shows that most poskim hold that the food processor remains pareve. The accepted position is that the food processor remains pareve, however it is considered praiseworthy to kasher the blade of the food processor.

Sunday, February 21, 2016

[Aneinu] The Sperling Family needs our help, please!


BS"D The Sperling family is completely focused on their daughter Sarah bas Dina's complex medical condition and IY"H her recovery from the terrible #402 bus crash Sunday, February 14, 2016. At this time, they are confronted by many financial challenges, including IY"H her upcoming wedding scheduled for March 9, 2016 (which Rav Kanievsky Shlita paskened not to change). Besides caring for their children (including one special needs child), they now face many previously unexpected costs and are in need of major financial assistance. Some of the mounting expenses now include: • Daily commute from Jerusalem to Asaf Haroeh Medical Center (a 114 km/71 mile round-trip) • Psychological support and treatment for their other daughter, also injured in the bus accident • Babysitting for their special needs child, as both parents spend each day at the hospital • Legal fees for filing claims (Please note that the major claim may only be filed at the end of the period of Rehabilitation for Sarah, which has not begun yet because she is still in the acute phase of treatment.) • Long-term commuting expenses to the rehabilitation facility, which will likely be either Tel HaShomer or Beit Levenshtein, both located in the Tel Aviv area We are trying to raise $50,000 to reduce the burden on the Sperlings. Your generous donation will go a long way towards easing the stress and pressure on this wonderful family and will help them focus on Sarah's recovery and her wedding! There are several ways you can make your tax-deductible donation: • Online, via Paypal or credit card, at: http://rabbikaganoff.com/about-nimla-tal/ Note: On the final payment page, which reads "Please Review Your Donation," please click on "Add Special Instructions to the Seller," which appears right below the words "American Friends of Nimla Tal". In that field, please write: "For Sperling Family." • Via wire transfer: American Friends of Nimla Tal Inc. Account number: 559 003111 Eastern Savings Bank Routing number: 252070639 Pikesville Branch 1417 Reisterstown Road 21208-9933 Please include a notation: For Sperling Family • Via check: American Friends of Nimla Tal, Inc. (IRS Number 52-2050166) c/o Fishkind 3215 Shelburne Road Baltimore, MD 21208 Please note Sperling Family on your check. Or, you can go to: https://www.gofundme.com/qgphdhwc and give through that website! all the best, debby

Thursday, February 18, 2016

Ywn BDE: 21-Year-Old Terror Victim Stabbed In Rami Levi Supermarket Has Been Niftar


One of the victims stabbed by a Palestinian terrorist in the Rami Levy Supermarket attack on Thursday afternoon , has R”L died of his injuries. The name of the 21-year-old male victim has not been released by hospital officials. As YWN reported earlier, two shoppers in the supermarket were stabbed by two Palestinian terrorists. They were neutralized by an armed man inside the store The 21-year-old victim was rushed to Sha’arei Tzedek Medical Center in Jerusalem where doctors desperately tried saving the mans life. Unfortunately, he was just Niftar. The second victim, a 36-year-old victim remains in moderate condition. As YWN reported, he is a member of the Community Council. His name for Tehillim is Avi ben Chemda Avital

YWN TEHILLIM – Two Victims In Rami Levi Supermarket Stabbing Attack


The Shomron community of Tel Tzion reports one of the victims of Thursday’s stabbing attack is a member of the community council. His name is Avi ben Chemda Avital. Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital reports a 36-year-old make is in moderate condition, alert and conscious, having sustained stab wounds to his upper body. Ads By Artscroll: Click Here! The second victim, 21, is in Shaare Zedek Hospital, reportedly in serious condition. His name is Tuvia Yanai ben Orli. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Halacha Yomis - fleishig onion, pareve food processor OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


cut an onion with a fleishig knife and then accidentally put the onion into my pareve food processor. Is my food processor still pareve, or does it need to be kashered? There is a disagreement among poskim as to the status of this food processor. The Magen Avrohom (451:31) writes that if one cut a spicy food, such as ginger, with a fleishig knife, and then crushed the ginger in a grinder, the grinder would become fleishig. Subsequent spicy foods that are put in the grinder will become fleishig as well. However, the Even Ha’ozer (Y.D. 96:3) disagrees, and shows that most poskim hold that the food processor remains pareve. The accepted position is that the food processor remains pareve, however it is considered praiseworthy to kasher the blade of the food processor.

[Aneinu] Please Say Tehillim - Surgery this morning


Please say Tehillim for Shlomo Ben Aviva Rivka, a young boy having surgery this morning.

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Halacha Yomis - How fleishig are my onions? OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


I ate a salad that contained onions that were cut with a fleishig knife. Must I now wait 6 hours before eating dairy? In this case, one need not wait 6 hours. Rabbi Akiva Eiger (Y.D. 89:Shach 19) explains that even if one drank vinegar that had been cooked in a fleishig pot, one would not need to wait 6 hours after drinking this vinegar. Although vinegar is a sharp food that absorbs the full taste of the meat from the pot, still it is not quite the same as eating meat itself. The same holds true for the onions. Although they must be treated as fleishigs, but in this one regard, it is more lenient. There is no need to wait 6 hours after eating these onions.

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Stroke


Please daven for Bella bas Basya Batsheva. She had a stroke and is still in the hospital. She has completely lost her speech, and some function of the right arm, but with Hashem's help can rehabilitate in a rehab. Please daven for a refua sheleima for her.

Halacha Yomis - Onions and Knives OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


I cut a raw onion with a fleishig knife, but the knife was clean and had previously not been used for several days. Can I eat this onion with dairy or cook it in a dairy pot? No. Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh De’ah 96:1) explains that foods that have a sharp taste, such as raw onions, absorb more easily than other foods. The pressure of the knife combined with the sharp flavor of the onion causes the onion to absorb the meat flavor that is present in the knife. This is true even if the knife appears clean and had not been used in many days. Therefore, one may not eat this onion with dairy, nor may they cook the onion in a dairy pot. Moreover, if one did cook the onion in a dairy pot, a shailah should be asked as to whether the pot requires kashering.

Monday, February 15, 2016

[Aneinu] Please Daven - Procedure Tuesday Morning


Please daven for the father in law of an Aneinu member, David HaLevi Ben Craindel, who is having a complicated procedure tomorrow morning.

[Aneinu] {Be'er Mayim Chaim} daven for injured victims of yesterday's 402 bus crash in Israel


I was told that according to the mother the name was never changed. Please continue to daven for Sarah bas Dina. Dear Daveners: Below is the urgent request for Sarah and after that the names of others who were injured in yesterday's crash. Please daven and say tehillim for SARAH BAS DINA, a young lady from Neve Yaakov who is in CRITICAL condition from yesterday's 402 bus crash. The information which is written in this email I received from her mother, and she gave me permission to pass it on to you. Her mom is asking everyone who can to PLEASE daven and say tehillim for her. Sarah had undergone 10 hours of surgery to repair a crushed foot, severed hand and other injuries. They had to give her blood thinners when they re-attached the hand which caused even worse blood loss, a precipitous drop in her blood pressure and she has a fever. PLEASE, use the link below to say tehillim for her and keep her in mind in your davening as well as when you sayאשר יצר Her wedding is scheduled for two weeks from now. http://tehilimyahad.com/mr.jsp?r=PTkPjKUJfD

[Aneinu] Tefillos Needed - Meningitis


Please daven for a young man, the husband of a former Chicagoan, Yosef Yerachmiel ben Chaya who is in ICU and has been diagnosed with meningitis.

[Aneinu] Please Daven for Rabbi Goldzweig shlita - Surgery 10:00 AM


Please daven for Rabbi Goldzweig shlita, Chaim Tzvi ben Malka, who is having another surgery this morning at 10:00 AM Chicago time.

Halacha Yomis - Onions and Insects OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


Do onions need to be checked for insects? Onions are usually clean. However, there are infrequent instances where infestation occurs. In those cases, infestation primarily occurs at the tips of the onion, or in its outer layers. The extent of insect infestation throughout the onion will depend upon the softness of the core. Therefore, it is advisable to cut off the onion tips. Peel off any loose skin or any loose layers of onion. Check that the rest of the onion is firm. Wash onion thoroughly. During the summer months it is recommended to peel off an extra layer.

[Aneinu]List of victims from The Muqata


[News Story] 9:43am Prayers for injured in bus tradgedy Following last night's tragic bus accident on the road from Jerusalem to Bnei Brak the families of the injured have asked everyone to please pray for them. Chaya Sara bat Dina (who is fighting for her life) Bracha bat Dina Nurit bat Monique Chaya Avigal bat Alice Esther bat Simcha Menashe ben Naima Simcha Edna bat Jaquline Yosef ben Sarah L'refuah shleimah

Aneinu Name added Urgent! Please Daven


A name has been added to the Kallah who was in the bus crash. It is now Chaya Sara bas Dena.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Aneinu Urgent! Please Daven


Two sisters from neve yaakov who were in bus crash in urgent need of tehilim. One of them is a kalla: Bracha bas dena Sara bas dena (the kalla)

Aneinu Please Daven


Please keep in mind Devorah Chana bas Zlata over the next few days. IyH we should hear bsoros tovos! פרק כ

Aneinu Please Daven AND SAY TEHILLIM URGENT


From Israel: There has been an horrific crash on HWY 1, the 5:40 p.m. 402 bus Departing from Yerushalayim going to Bnei Brak somewhere near Latrun hit a Tractor/Trailer bus with a Crane attached whose driver was an Arab hap apparently parked on the side of the road, but potruding into the lane of traffic. Apparently the bus did not see that it was potruding into the lane, and the entire side of of the bus was "sliced off" in this horrific occurrence.  At least 5 people are dead R"L among them 3 children.  I don't have names, but just daven that HK"B take care of the injured, at least one is in critical condition.  The total numbers of injured are not yet determined. May HK"B help the families who lost relatives in this horrible crash.         Additionally, 2 children were in a car accident on Friday  going to cheder. one child was lightly injured. (4 yr. old).  The 5 yr. old is in serious condition.  Please daven for the next week for Yehuda ben Miriam.  One week until 21-Feb 2016.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Halacha Yomis - Making Sushi on Shabbos OU Kosher Halacha Yomis This column is dedicated in memory of: Rav Chaim Yisroel Belsky, zt'l Senior OU Kosher Halachic Consultant (1987-2016)


Is it permissible to make Sushi on Shabbos? Is it muktza? (A subscriber's question) Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 308:32) writes that unsalted raw fish is muktza, because it serves no purpose on Shabbos. However in our days, if one has cuts of raw fish that are edible as sushi, then they are not muktza. However, Rav Belsky, zt”l, questioned whether one may make sushi on Shabbos. The Chayei Adam 39:1 writes that the melacha of boneh (building) applies to food as well, and that attaching foods together to produce a desired picture or shape, is included in this prohibition. Since shaping sushi might be included in this prohibition, Rav Belsky, zt”l, recommended that one should not make sushi on Shabbos with the intent of making a specific design or pattern. OU.org Daf Yomi

Mitokh Ha-Ohel, From Within the Tent: The Shabbat Prayers IS ON AMAZON


Mitokh Ha-Ohel: The Shabbat Prayers, is the fourth volume of the widely praised series that showcases original essays by rabbis and professors from Yeshiva University. The new volume, provides a unique perspective on the words and themes of our Shabbat prayers. Sponsored by the Michael Scharf Publication Trust of Yeshiva University Press, the fourth installment of Mitokh Ha-Ohel (literally "from within the tent") brings together a diverse range of scholars and rabbinic thinkers, the multi-faceted voices of Yeshiva University, to elucidate and explore the Shabbat siddur from a wide range of approaches, including textual analysis, homiletic exposition, halachic (Jewish law) analysis and academic exploration. "This unique volume endeavors to represent the themes of the Torah obligation motivating Shabbat prayer, namely remembering the Shabbat and its holiness through intense and serious study of its themes and values, as well as bringing many voices together into one house, one tent, to focus on the prayers and the praises of the day," said Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman, co-editor of the Mitokh Ha-Ohel series, rosh yeshiva at YU-affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary and an instructor at the Sy Syms School of Business. "As the prayers we recite on Shabbat are built upon the Chumash, Nevi'im, and Ketuvim; the Mishnah, the Talmud, and the Midrash; history, philosophy, and poetry; foundations and directives of halacha, hashkafah, and minhag; the Yeshiva University family, which comprises experts and specialists in all of these fields, is uniquely positioned to assume this task." While Mitokh Ha-Ohel: The Shabbat Prayers includes essays from returning contributors, quite a few new contributors are featured as well. Like the first three volumes of the series, this 300+-page anthology is co-edited by Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman and Dr. Stuart W. Halpern.Order here.