Watch: A short lesson by Reb Yoel Kahn on Shabbos Hagadol and Yud Alef Nissan with English subtitles and transcript.
Do We Eat Mushrooms on Pesach?
Anash.org feature: Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas including eating mushrooms on Pesach, renting an Airbnb in the middle of Pesach, covering sold chometz with a sheet, and checking the rooms that will be sold.
A Yeshiva That Cultivates Excellence in Every Bochur
Many yeshivos are designed to produce run-of-the-mill students who are taught to daven, learn and behave according to a uniform, average standard. In Kingston Mesivta, the focus is on raising individual bochurim who excel and are driven to succeed.
Pesach Bonuses Are Nice, But They’re Still Demeaning
From the Anash.org Inbox: Many schools have the practice of giving teachers a significant bonus to help cover Pesach expenses. It’s greatly appreciated, but it’s nonetheless demeaning and fundamentally flawed.
Chassidus “In the Style of the Times”?!
R' Shmuel Leib and the Vitebsk Shul
R' Shmuel Leib and the Vitebsk Shul
As a shochet in Vitebsk, R. Shmuel Leib Levin “Paritcher” told the Rebbe Rashab that Anash there wanted him to recite Chassidus “in the style of the times.” The Rebbe’s face turned red and said that it was not possible.
Different Hafatza for Different Places
When R’ Raphael Aron to the Rebbe in yechidus that mitzva tanks were not well received in Australia, the Rebbe told him these guiding words, “Not everything which is done in America must be done in Australia.”
Watch: Reb Yoel on Parshas Vayikra
Watch: A short lesson by Reb Yoel Kahn on Parshas Vayikra with English subtitles and transcript.
Covering Challos with a See-Through Cover
Photo: Chaya Notik via FrocksinStock.com
Photo: Chaya Notik via FrocksinStock.com
Ask the Rov: Does a see-through cover work for covering challos during kiddush? Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin replies.
Can I Avoid Peeling Vegetables by Cooking Before Pesach?
Anash.org feature: Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas including drinking the four kosos while pregnant, cooking unpeeled vegetables ahead of Pesach, buying an item with the intent to return it, and blocking off a chimney.
New $10M Chassidus Center Will Be Built in Yerushalayim
At a magnificent event in Yerushalayim, the ‘Mayonei Yisroel’ community unveiled plans and raised funds for a $10M center that will serve as headquarters for hafotzas hachassidus within the broader chareidi community. A novel gift was given to donors.
Why 70 Bais Rivkah Girls Deleted Social Media
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: A few weeks ago, the girls of Bais Rivkah High School attended a Shabbaton during which a speaker encouraged the girls to delete social media apps from their phones until Yud Aleph Nissan. Over 70 12th-grade girls accepted the challenge and some mothers joined them too.
They Ran After Him Like a Crazy
Having studied secular subjects before coming to Lubavitch, R. Yaakov Boruch Karasik was not taken by Chassidus. But when he heard the Rebbe Rashab speak about its detrimental effect on G-dly awareness, he became one of Lubavitch’s greatest ovdim.
The Power of a Rov
Although the Rebbe could pasken himself, he would refer halachic shailos to rabbonim. In a yechidus with R. Nachman Sudak, the Rebbe attributed it to the special siya’ata dishmaya given to a practicing rov.
Watch: Reb Yoel on Parshas Vayakhel
Watch: A short lesson by Reb Yoel Kahn on Parshas Vayakhel with English subtitles and transcript.
Can a Loan Guarantor Back Out?
Ask the Rov: Can a guarantor retract his commitment to back the loan? Rabbi Chaim Hillel Raskin replies.
When Should I Sit Shiva for a Cremated Relative?
Anash.org feature: Dayan Levi Yitzchok Raskin, Rov of Anash in London, explores interesting Torah questions and halachic dilemmas including rolling a megillah inside out, shiva for a cremated relative, and what would have happened if Moshe didn’t break the luchos.
Matzah Bacon Sandwich: A Little or a Lot?
Article by Rabbi Chaim Chazan: If we would have seen Moe removing the “BLT” from between the slices of bread and placing it between two matzos, our first thought would be: A meshugner! What an unsuitable shidduch: chazer with matzah! What’s wrong with him?
Pick Your Head Up!
Article by Rabbi Mordechai Lipskier: Consider how much we miss with our heads bent over a cell phone as we walk down the street. When we lift our heads, life becomes much more manageable and brighter. When the head of the household lifts his head, he uplifts the entire home.
“Nu, What Was I to Do?!”
As a tomim in Lubavitch and later as a shochet, R. Shamai Vigan was a devout oved Hashem who spent hours each night at krias shema she’al hamita. Crying to the Rebbe Rashab that his sister was in danger, the Rebbe felt compelled to make a miracle for him.
R’ Elya Chaim’s ‘Expletive’ Made the Rebbe Smile
While reciting Aleinu at a Purim mairiv in 770, R’ Elya Chaim Roitblat was overcome with such disdain for wickedness that he muttered an expletive. A wide smile spread across the Rebbe‘s face.