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Responsibility for a Fellow's Religious Obligations
Parshat Bechukotai
By Aryeh Citron
All Jewish souls constitute one entity. Our nation is likened to a large body, each soul emanating from one of its 248 limbs. From this stems our mutual responsibility for one another—because we truly are one.
Jewish Practice » Miscellaneous » Parshah Halachah » Responsibility for a Fellow's Religious Obligations
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Is Chanukah G-d-given?
By Baruch S. Davidson
Question: The blessing that we recite before lighting the Chanukah candles reads, "Blessed are You, G‑d...who sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the Chanukah lamp." I don't get it. When did G‑d command us to light the menorah? ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Details » Is Chanukah G-d-given?
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Is the blessing recited before performing a mitzvah or afterwards?
By Baruch S. Davidson
Generally, blessings are recited before performing a mitzvah—e.g. before eating the matzah or before lighting the Chanukah candles. There are two exceptions to this rule: netilat yadayim (ritual hand washing, whether before eating or upon awakening in ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Details » Is the blessing recited before performing a mitzvah or afterwards?
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Blessings Over the Sounding of the Shofar
For every Mitzvah between man and G-d, which is prescribed either by the Torah or our Sages, we are obliged to recite a blessing of thanksgiving and praise to G-d for having sanctified us and commanded us to fulfill it. The Sages found Scriptural support ...
Jewish Holidays » High Holidays » Rosh Hashanah » Study » Laws & Lore » The Shofar » Blessings Over the Sounding of the Shofar
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Is a separate blessing recited on the head tefillin?
By Shmuel Kogan
Shmuel Question: I am a Jew who is just starting to learn observance. I am presently learning the mitzvah of tefillin. My rabbi has me saying a blessing on the head tefillin but I noticed in your Tefillin Section that there is no separate blessing ...
Ask the Rabbi » Latest Questions » The Details » Is a separate blessing recited on the head tefillin?
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Donning Tzitzit or a Tallit
The proper way to don tzitzit and tallit -- complete with an illustrated guide -- and the blessings recited when doing so.
Jewish Practice » Tallit and Tzitzit » Tallit and Tzitzit Basics » Donning Tzitzit or a Tallit
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Why do we cover our eyes when reciting the blessing on the Shabbat candles?
Normally, the blessing is recited before the performance of a mitzvah, but here we light the candle and only afterwards recite the blessing. This is because once the blessing is recited Shabbat has been ushered in, and lighting the candle would be ...
Jewish Practice » Shabbat » Handbook » Questions & Answers » Candle Lighting » Why do we cover our eyes when reciting the blessing on the Shabbat candles?
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Betrothal Blessings
By Maurice Lamm
After the initial blessing over the wine, the rabbi recites the betrothal blessing, birkhat erusin. The groom does not recite this blessing according to our custom, because he is tarud, undoubtedly nervous and not able to concentrate. Moreover, because ...
Lifecycles » Marriage » Library » Books » The Jewish Way in Love & Marriage » Celebrating the Marriage Covenant » Betrothal Blessings
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