Jewish Laws and Customs

After coming to Ohr Somayach, Eliyahu ("Arthur") Masyuk, a Chicago professional, was finally able to give himself a Pidyon HaBen.…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Lawrence-Kelemen_Basic-Judaism_Short-and-Sweet_Even-If-We-Dont-Understand_54837.smil/playlist.m3u8″]In this short video, Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen sheds new light on a basic fundamental in Judaism

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Akiva-Fox_Basic-Judaism_The-Jewish-Whys_Why-Do-I-Have-to-Listen-to-Rabbis_54973.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yaakov-Lynn_Basic-Judaism_The-Jewish-Whys_Why-is-Suicide-so-Severe-According-to-Judaism_54976.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Akiva-Fox_Basic-Judaism_The-Jewish-Whys_Why-Cant-I-Just-Keep-the-Written-Torah_54973.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Akiva-Fox_Miscellaneous_The-Jewish-Whys_Why-Do-Kohanim-Enjoy-Special-Privileges_54973.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yitzchak-Botton_Basic-Judaism_The-Jewish-Whys_Why-are-the-613-Mitzvot-So-Important_49055.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Akiva-Fox_Basic-Judaism_The-Jewish-Whys_Why-are-Religious-Jews-So-Meticulous-about-Jewish-Law_54973.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rebbetzin-Tziporah-Heller_Basic-Judaism_Chumash-Textual_Yitro_Conversion-in-Judaism_54860.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Benzion-Klatzko_Basic-Judaism_Torah-Judaism-Are-We-Doing-it-Right_54847.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yitzchak-Botton_Circumcision_The-Mystical-Dimension-of-the-Mitzvah-of-Circumcision_49055.smil/playlist.m3u8″]Our sages teach us that our forefathers kept the whole Torah. Why then did Avraham wait till age 99…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yitzchak-Yisraeli_Miscellaneous_Halachic-Times-for-the-Evening-Prayer-and-Shabbat_55429.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Moishe-Dovid-Lebovits_Keeping-Kosher_FAQs-in-Kashrut_55571.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Keeping-Kosher_Basic-Kosher-Laws_Meat-and-Milk-Waiting-in-Between_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why is it necessary to wait between eating meat and milk? How long must one wait between eating…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Keeping-Kosher_Basic-Kosher-Laws_Meat-and-Milk-Cooking-Utensils_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″]   Is it permissible to feed your pet a cheeseburger? Can the same cooking utensil be used for…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Keeping-Kosher_Basic-Kosher-Laws_Meat-and-Milk-Knife-vs-Spoon_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″] If a milky spoon was placed in a hot meaty pot, do the utensils become treif (non-kosher)? Rabbi…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Keeping-Kosher_Basic-Kosher-Laws_Kosher-Milk-and-Chalav-Yisrael_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″] What is the definition of kosher milk? What is considered chalav yisrael milk? In another informative session, Rabbi…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Keeping-Kosher_Basic-Kosher-Laws_Kosher-Fish-Issues_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″]   What are the signs of a kosher fish? Do kitchen utensils absorb the fat of non-kosher fish?…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Keeping-Kosher_Basic-Kosher-Laws_How-to-Cook-Kosher-Liver_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Liver is often bought fresh and thus requires a specific process in order to be considered kosher. Rabbi…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Keeping-Kosher_Basic-Kosher-Laws_Bitul-The-Concept-of-Nullification_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″] If a drop of milk falls into chicken soup, does the soup become non-kosher? If meat was cooked…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Keeping-Kosher_Basic-Judaism_Keeping-3-Hours-Between-Meat-and-Milk_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″]How many hours should one wait between eating meat & milk? What is the source of the custom to…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rebbetzin-Raquel-Kirszenbaum_Circumcision_Torah-and-Mitzvot_Circumcision-Perfecting-Yourself_52525.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rebbetzin-Raquel-Kirszenbaum_Circumcision_Torah-and-Mitzvot_Circumcision-Elevating-Physicality_52525.smil/playlist.m3u8″]Rebbetzin Raquel Kirszenbaum discusses circumcision.

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rebbetzin-Raquel-Kirszenbaum_Basic-Judaism_Torah-and-Mitzvot_The-Blueprints-of-Creation_52525.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Miscellaneous_Business-Ethics-The-Jewish-Monetary-Law_Stealing-on-the-Internet_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yaakov-Lynn_Miscellaneous_The-Origin-and-Development-of-the-Written-and-Oral-Law_Tannaim-Amoraim-and-Rishonim_54976.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yaakov-Lynn_Miscellaneous_The-Origin-and-Development-of-the-Written-and-Oral-Law_The-Era-of-the-Rishonim_54976.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yaakov-Lynn_Miscellaneous_The-Origin-and-Development-of-the-Written-and-Oral-Law_The-Halachic-Process_54976.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yaakov-Lynn_Miscellaneous_The-Origin-and-Development-of-the-Written-and-Oral-Law_The-Transmission-of-the-Torah_54976.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yaakov-Lynn_Miscellaneous_The-Origin-and-Development-of-the-Written-and-Oral-Law_Why-Should-I-Listen-to-the-Rabbis_54976.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yirmiyahu-Abramov_Tzitzit-and-Tefillin_High-Holy-Days_Small-Things-Count-Episode-6-The-Power-of-Tefillin_53027.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rebbetzin-Raquel-Kirszenbaum_Miscellaneous_Torah-and-Mitzvot_Understanding-Mitzvot-Part-2_52525.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rebbetzin-Raquel-Kirszenbaum_Miscellaneous_Torah-and-Mitzvot_Understanding-Mitzvot-Part-1_52525.smil/playlist.m3u8″]

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Miscellaneous_Business-Ethics-The-Jewish-Monetary-Law_Taking-Possession-in-Jewish-Monetary-Law_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Is payment binding in Jewish monetary law, or must a written contract be signed? Rabbi Cohen expounds on…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Miscellaneous_Business-Ethics-The-Jewish-Monetary-Law_A-Gift-to-an-Agent_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″] If an agent receives a gift or a discount when purchasing a product, may he keep it or…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Miscellaneous_Business-Ethics-The-Jewish-Monetary-Law_A-Thought-in-Jewish-Monetary-Law_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″]   If one made a conscious decision to sell a product for a specific price, may he still…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Miscellaneous_Business-Ethics-The-Jewish-Monetary-Law_Following-the-Expected-Custom_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″] When is a business agreement considered final, obligating both sides to commit to the deal? In this episode…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shlomo-Cohen_Miscellaneous_Business-Ethics-The-Jewish-Monetary-Law_A-Verbal-Agreement-in-Jewish-Monetary-Law_54957.smil/playlist.m3u8″] When is a verbal agreement binding according to Jewish law? Can a Rabbinical Jewish Court enforce a verbal…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Basic-Judaism_Basic-Judaism_Bread-on-the-Table_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] What is the idea behind the two loaves of bread on Shabbat? Why do we cover the loaves…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Basic-Judaism_Basic-Judaism_Washing-Hands-Part-1_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] How are we supposed to wash our hands? Is it necessary to take off jewelry before washing our…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Basic-Judaism_Basic-Judaism_Washing-Hands-Part-2_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Is it okay to wash hands in the restroom? How important it is to wipe our hands after…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Basic-Judaism_Basic-Judaism_Washing-Hands-Part-3_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Can one talk after washing hands? What is the purpose of washing our hands? Must one recite a…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shaya-Karlinsky_Miscellaneous__Monetary-Law_54949.smil/playlist.m3u8″] In monetary law it is essential to consider whether the situation at hand is ethical, moral and legal.…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yisrael-Choleva_Miscellaneous__Analysing-the-Torah-and-Rabbinic-Legislation_54951.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Which laws did Moses receive on Mount Sinai? How did the Sages figure out the true understanding of…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Basic-Judaism_Basic-Judaism_When-to-Wash-Your-Hands_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why is there an obligation to wash hands before eating bread? What should one do if there's no…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-David-Kaplan_Keeping-Kosher_Philosophy-of-Mitzvot_Prohibition-of-Eating-Insects_49032.smil/playlist.m3u8″]Insect prevention is one of the trickiest areas in kashrut. Is there a requirement to check fresh fruit, dried…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yirmiyahu-Ullman_Circumcision_Tomer-Devorah_Tomer-Devorah-Chapter-5-Circumcision-Part-2_49049.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Rabbi Ullman expounds further on the effect of circumcision on spiritual forces and energies.

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yirmiyahu-Ullman_Circumcision_Tomer-Devorah_Tomer-Devorah-Chapter-5-Circumcision-Part-1_49049.smil/playlist.m3u8″] What occurs in the upper worlds when one performs the mitzvah of circumcision? In this session Rabbi Ullman…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Shay-Tahan_Keeping-Kosher__Keeping-Kosher-_54907.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why is it so important to keep the laws of Kosher in totality? Rabbi Shay Tahan discusses the…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yirmiyahu-Ullman_Miscellaneous_The-Ramchals-Essay-on-Fundamentals_The-Ramchals-Essay-on-Fundamentals-Part-21_49049.smil/playlist.m3u8″] What is the origin of the Rabbinic decrees? What is the source of practical Jewish Law? Why did…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-David-Kaplan_Keeping-Kosher_Philosophy-of-Mitzvot_Forbidden-Animals_49032.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why does the Torah command us not to eat certain animals? A Torah observant Jew does not lose…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Lawrence-Kelemen_Basic-Judaism__Orthodox-Judaism_54837.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why is Jewish law so obsessive over the intricate details of the law? Why is it necessary to…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Nota-Schiller_Basic-Judaism__Respect-the-Rules_49393.smil/playlist.m3u8″] In a thrilling lecture Rabbi Schiller inspires us to respect the laws and rules of the infinite Torah

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yom-Tov-Glaser_Tzitzit-and-Tefillin_Jewish-Thought_Tzitzit-Lose-Yourself_49640.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why do men wear tzitzit? What do the knots on the tzitzit strings symbolize? Rabbi Glaser delivers remarkable…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Gavriel-Friedman_Miscellaneous_Food-for-the-Soul_Rabbinical-Laws_49365.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why are there Rabbinical laws in Judaism? Why do we have to practice laws and customs that don't…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Zamir-Cohen_Circumcision_In-Short-Subtitles_Guarding-the-Area-of-Circumcision_47125.smil/playlist.m3u8″] In this short lecture Rabbi Zamir Cohen discusses the importance of preserving the sanctity of the circumcised area.

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yitzchak-Botton_Keeping-Kosher_Hashems-Diet_Healthy-Living-Mind-Body-and-Soul-Part-2-_49055.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why are so many Jewish ceremonies accompanied with food? What is the spiritual effect of the blessings we…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Yitzchak-Botton_Keeping-Kosher_Hashems-Diet_Healthy-Living-Mind-Body-and-Soul-Part-1_49055.smil/playlist.m3u8″] How does the food we eat effect our body and soul? Why did G-d create us with the…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Miscellaneous_Basic-Judaism_Waking-Up-in-the-Morning_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] From the moment we wake up in the morning, there are religious requirements that must be done. Rabbi…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Tzitzit-and-Tefillin_Basic-Judaism_Tefillin-Part-5_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] How should a person wearing a cast put on tefillin? Why do we kiss the tefillin during the…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Tzitzit-and-Tefillin_Basic-Judaism_Tefillin-Part-3_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why are the tefillin put on the arm first and then the head? Where on the head are…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Tzitzit-and-Tefillin_Basic-Judaism_Tefillin-Part-4_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] How are the tefillin taken off? Why is there a specific order for taking off the tefillin? Why…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Tzitzit-and-Tefillin_Basic-Judaism_Tefillin-Part-6_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Why are tefillin made from animal skin? How often must one check his tefillin? Rabbi Lauffer elaborates further…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Basic-Judaism_Basic-Judaism_The-Jewish-Year-Part-1_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] How does the Jewish calendar work? Why do we have a leap year every four years? Why does…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Basic-Judaism_Basic-Judaism_The-10-Commandments-Part-1_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Are the Ten Commandments more important than the other Mitzvot? Why did the Sages annul the custom of…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Basic-Judaism_Basic-Judaism_The-10-Commandments-Part-3_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] The fifth commandment is honoring parents. Why does this commandment appear on the tablet together with the commandments…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Basic-Judaism_Basic-Judaism_The-10-Commandments-Part-2_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″] What is considered idol worship? Are dolls and sculptures considered forbidden graven images? Why is mentioning G-d's name…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Dov-Greer_Circumcision__Confessions-of-a-Ritual-Circumciser_52118.smil/playlist.m3u8″] Circumcision is a unique Mitzvah that links us all the way back to Abraham. Why is circumcision performed…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-David-Kaplan_Keeping-Kosher_Philosophy-of-Mitzvot_Kosher-Food_49032.smil/playlist.m3u8″] What do the fins and scales of the kosher fish symbolize? What is considered reliable supervision when it…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_The-Essence-of-Shabbat_Basic-Judaism_The-Concept-of-Shabbat_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″]What should one be thinking while wearing tefillin? Rabbi Lauffer discusses the basic laws regarding the process of wearing…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Reuven-Lauffer_Tzitzit-and-Tefillin_Basic-Judaism_Tefillin-Part-1_49395.smil/playlist.m3u8″]What is the purpose of donning tefillin? What intent must one have when putting on tefillin? Rabbi Lauffer focuses…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Gavriel-Friedman_Miscellaneous_Food-for-the-Soul_Its-Worth-It_49365.smil/playlist.m3u8″]What are the benefits of living a religious life? Is it worth it to keep the laws and customs…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-David-Kaplan_Miscellaneous_Philosophy-of-Mitzvot_The-Hebrew-Servant_49032.smil/playlist.m3u8″] What are the obligations of the Hebrew servant? Rabbi Kaplan conveys fundamental lessons for life from the laws…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-David-Kaplan_Miscellaneous_Philosophy-of-Mitzvot_Witchcraft_49032.smil/playlist.m3u8″] It is forbidden to perform witchcraft according to Torah Law. Does witchcraft exist today? Discover what the laws…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Zamir-Cohen_Tzitzit-and-Tefillin__Tefillin-What-is-their-Meaning-and-How-Do-We-Wear-Them_47125.smil/playlist.m3u8″]What is the meaning behind the Tefillin? What is their purpose? How do they contribute to the individual? And…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Zamir-Cohen_Keeping-Kosher_The-Weekly-Challenge-Subtitles_Eating-Kosher_47125.smil/playlist.m3u8″]In this weekly lesson, Rabbi Zamir Cohen explains how food affects our souls and the deeper meaning behind the…

[bzplayer hls=”https://hidabroot.streamgates.net/Hidabrut/en/Rabbi-Zamir-Cohen_Keeping-Kosher__Why-Do-We-Have-to-Eat-Kosher_47125.smil/playlist.m3u8″]Why were Jews commanded to eat kosher? Why does G-d care so much about what I eat? How can…