Kohen Conundrums
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow A visitor to the Munkacser beis midrash might see a bizarre sight. He might notice his friend Mr. Katz davening Shacharis there on Monday morning. Yet, when it is time for kriyas haTorah, the first Aliyah would be given to a Yisrael. The astute observer might conclude that they are following the […]
Stealing to Save a Life?
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow Rav Shlomo Halberstam, zt”l, the Bobover Rebbe, was instrumental in saving many lives during the Holocaust. The Bobover Rebbe borrowed whatever money he could to secure visas and travel documents for would-be victims. The money borrowed was directly responsible for lives being saved. After the war, Mr. Benedict, one of the lenders, […]
Sheva Brachos Shailos
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow In the first perek of Kesuvos, there is a lengthy exposition on Sheva Brachos. What follows is some selected halachos regarding Sheva Brachos with a focus on the psakim of Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l. This article is not intended to issue practical rulings but to engender discussion. The Rema (EH 62:6) writes […]
Wednesday is the Day to Wed
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow Mazal tov to all those who finished Maseches Yevamos. We began Maseches Kesuvos on Friday. I remember that a few minutes after I was engaged and we had a mock l’chayim ceremony, my future shvigger opened her notebook. She promptly started a lengthy discourse about the dates available for the wedding. She […]
The Key to Success in Chinuch
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow Rav Yitzchak bar Bisna was the gabbai in charge of opening the doors to the beis midrash. He did his job without fail, until one fateful day when he lost his keys. He realized on Shabbos that he had dropped the keys in a public thoroughfare. He could not carry the keys […]
Left Foot, Right Foot
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow Lefties have it hard in a world that is made for righties. Starting in school, students encounter desks that are made for righties. There are one-piece desks where the student enters the desk on the left side and is able to use the right side for writing. There are ergonomic scissors that […]
Yonah & His Prophesies
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow A scholar was relating a ruling about converts. To buttress his position, he declared that Rebbe Akiva issued a ruling about this very issue. To demonstrate his perfect recall, he said, “I remember that Rebbe Akiva was sitting on this very bench when he issued his ruling. Additionally, at that same time […]
Oneg Shabbos
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow One fine erev Shabbos, Rebbe Yannai was anxiously waiting for a gift of fruit to arrive. Every erev Shabbos without fail, an employee who worked in his field would dutifully bring a gift of fruit to show his appreciation for his wonderful employer. Consuming these fresh fruits on Shabbos was part of […]
Ma’aser Motivations
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow The Torah awarded kohanim with terumah gifts. After terumah was separated from freshly grown Israeli produce, the farmer would separate 10% of what remained and give that to a Levi. This is termed Ma’aser Rishon. Talmud Bavli (Yevamos 86b) records an incident that occurred regarding a dispute between Rebbe Akiva and Rebbe […]
Clouds in the Forecast
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow The Sifrei says that Bnei Yisrael brought the Korban Pesach only once during their 40 year sojourn in the desert. This Sifrei says further that this reflects badly on Klal Yisrael. Tosafos wonders why they didn’t bring the Korban Pesach all those years. He finds it unfathomable to suggest they willfully violated […]
