Yonaton Behar

One should try to leave work early and light the Chanukah candles close to sunset * One who returns home late from work should make an effort to light candles no later than nine o’clock * When a spouse gets home late, should lighting be postponed? * According to Sephardic custom, can children light candles … Read more

The harm caused to the Jewish identity, security, and settlement of the Land of Israel is the result of the neglect of Torah law * As long as we fail to develop a Jewish legal system suitable for a modern state, don’t blame the secular system * Torah laws must be learned together with an … Read more

All those who attacked the mitzvah of ‘yefat toar’, besides deriding the Torah, also damaged its’ moral influence on the world * The basic problem is the arrogance of Western culture, offering humanity shallow and dangerous worldviews, in contrast to the multifaceted guidance of the Torah * The Supreme Court is today’s most harmful factor … Read more

Seeing as others having spoken slanderously about Rabbi Krim and the Torah, it is our duty to explain the morality and logic of the law of ‘yefat toar’ * Until modern times, even up to the last century, captives were cruelly abused, often ending in death * The Torah, in contrast to other cultures, demands … Read more

Abraham and Sarah believed in Hagar and Ishmael, but they disregarded their status, with Ishmael even degenerating to appalling crimes * Their behavior prevented Abraham and Sarah from repairing the world, and Abraham was forced to drive them out * The expulsion succeeded: they repented, and returned to Abraham’s family * Israel also believed in … Read more

Rabbi Goren, whose yahrzeit will be commemorated this week, served as an example of a rabbi who imposed authority and demonstrated forcefulness * Rabbi Goren made clear that in the event of a conflict between an officer’s command and halakha, if ‘pikuach nefesh’ is not involved, the order should be refused * The present IDF … Read more

Today’s reality of material abundance has created a norm of harmful eating habits, not seen in the past * Overeating on Shabbat causes a feeling of heaviness and depression, and impinges on Oneg Shabbat * Self-control at meals is not a reason for agony, but rather, for a positive feeling * Eating habits vary from … Read more

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed The IDF General Staff continues to erode Jewish tradition and those who abide by it * Because of pressure from the Left and feminists, the Military Rabbinate was forced to find a halachic allowance to hear female singers * According to the majority of halachic authorities it is forbidden to hear female … Read more

Half of Shabbat should be devoted to Torah study and prayer, but is one permitted to play games during the remaining time? * Most Sephardic poskim prohibit playing games on Shabbat, while the majority Ashkenazi poskim permit it; nevertheless, Ashkenazim should also avoid playing games * Young children are allowed to play games, but should … Read more

One should be happier on Chag than on Shabbat * It is a mitzvah to devote half of the Chag to Torah study, and to add something new, such as wine or clothes which will spread joy throughout the Chag * Buying clothes is more important than buying an etrog * It is a mitzvah … Read more