The Obligation of Parents for their Children’s Education

“And I will punish all that oppress them.” Even those responsible for collecting charity will be punished for forcing contributions from the poor, except for the payment of school fees so that their children can learn Torah and Mishnah. (Midrash Rabbah, Parshas Emor 30) A person is obligated to hire a teacher to teach his…

The Blessings That are Made on the Birth of a Son or Daughter (part II)

When twin boys are born, the blessing is recited once, but with both children in mind. When a son is born, the parents are permitted to recite the “shehechiyanu” blessing, but it should be recited before saying “hatov vehameitiv” because the “shehechiyanu” blessing includes “hatov vehameitiv”. Those who have the custom of reciting the “shehechiyanu”…

The Blessings That are Made on the Birth of a Son or Daughter (part I)

According to the Gemorah (Brachos 59b), the blessing “hatov vehamativ” is made when a boy is born. Nevertheless, many communities do not recite the blessing because of the uncertainty that the child will survive. Today, medical examination can generally establish the viability of the newborn, even when it is born prematurely and placed in an…

Sefer Torah (V)

When the Torah is rolled closed, the seam between two pages of parchment should be placed so that it runs down the middle between the two sides of the scroll. That way, if the scroll were to tear, it would tear along a seam. When the Torah is rolled closed when reading the first and…

Sefer Torah (IV)

The person who lifts the Torah should roll it together until three pages of text are showing, and then, lifting the Torah, show that text to the congregation. The honor of lifting the Torah should not be offered a person who is incapable of holding it for a certain amount of time before the eyes…