Learning Torah with Rabbi Sariel Malitzky

Charatah, regret, is a critical component of Teshuvah. But regret can be uncomfortable and, if not approached properly, can lead to sadness and heaviness. How can we experience sincere regret in a way that builds us and propels us forward, rather than weighs us down?

Why was Noach unable to save his generation? In what zechus were the Jewish people saved during the Purim story? And what can we do to save ourselves from the challenges and troubles we face today, both as a nation and as individuals?

Many people carry pocket-sized seforim or a Sefer Tehillim with them wherever they go. Whether attending a wedding, commuting to and from work, or simply waiting somewhere, having a sefer or Torah printout with us can help us maximize our time and fulfill וּבְלֶכְתְּךָ בַדֶּרֶךְ.But what happens when we need to use the restroom? How can we bring a holy sefer into a bathroom? Must it be left outside? Does putting it in your pocket help? Should you place it in a bag? How many coverings are required?In this short d'var halacha, we explore the practical halachos of bringing seforim and Torah material into a restroom.

Can you stack a sefer or two together to make the sefer you are learning easier to read? What can you use seforim for? Can you place a computer on top of a sefer?Learn all about the proper way to treat and use seforim in this six-minute Dvar Halacha.

In this shiur, we explore the first steps of Teshuva according to the Rambam, Meiri, and Rabbeinu Yonah. What is the very first step in the Teshuva process, and why is it so critical? What happens if that first step is missing? Can you still do Teshuva, or is everything else meaningless without it?

Rosh Hashana, Adam Harison, Beis Hamikdash, and SelichosWhat should we have in mind when we say אל תשליכנו לעת זקנה?

We all instinctively know what to do when a sefer falls: pick it up and give it a kiss. But where does that come from? Did our Morah in preschool make it up, or is it actually rooted in halacha?Why did some Gedolim object to kissing a sefer? What did Rav Pam suggest doing when a sefer falls? And what happens if a sefer or siddur falls while you are in the middle of Shemoneh Esrei? Do you stop and pick it up, or leave it lying on the floor?A fascinating look at the halachos and minhagim surrounding a sefer that falls.

Adam Harishon was born on Rosh Hashana.He sinned on Rosh HashanaWe can't sleep on Rosh Hashana.How does this all tie together?

The Gemara discusses the prohibition of touching a Sefer Torah ערום, with one’s bare hands. How far does this halacha extend? Do you really need to use the gartel or a tallis whenever you want to touch the Torah? What about touching the Atzei Chaim with your bare hands? Why are some people machmir about this?

Why do we sometimes have a hard time connection to Tefilla?

What is the true litmus of your Ahavas Hashem?

A Sefer Torah has tremendous kedusha, and we stand to honor that holiness. But what if the Sefer Torah is pasul? If someone is carrying it into or out of shul, must we still stand? Does a Sefer Torah that becomes pasul retain its kedusha?

After learning, and at a siyum, we say, ״מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ ה׳ אֱלֹהַי שֶׁשַּׂמְתָּ חֶלְקִי מִיּוֹשְׁבֵי בֵּית הַמִּדְרָשׁ וְלֹא שַׂמְתָּ חֶלְקִי מִיּוֹשְׁבֵי קְרָנוֹת.״. Isn’t that redundant? If we are among the יושבי בית המדרש, then clearly we are not יושבי קרנות! What, then, are we really thanking Hashem for?

How far must you go to avoid mistreating a sefer torah?

Does an Avel Kohen Get an Aliyah During Shiva When He Is the Only Kohen Present?

Don't be lazy!

Must you stand when you hear the sound of a Sefer Torah approaching? Is that why some Torah crowns have bells on them? And are those bells permitted on Shabbos?

One may not turn his back to a Sefer Torah. So how can the person reading the Haftarah stand at the bimah while someone sits behind him holding the Torah? What about during the opening parts of Mussaf, when much of the congregation has its back to the Torah? Is that permitted? Why are many Sephardic shuls designed with this issue in mind?

Before Shemona Esrei, we say משה ובני ישראל לך ענו שירה בשמחה רבה. Why do we say that? What is the role of Simcha and Shira in our davening?

The Shulchan Aruch rules that one must stand when a Sefer Torah is in motion.But what if the Aron Kodesh is open? What if you are in the middle of learning or davening? And on Simchas Torah, are you really required to stand for every hakafah?

We are beginning a new series on honoring a Sefer Torah and sefarim. In this first shiur, we discuss the prohibition against turning your back to a Sefer Torah.How can rabbanim give derashos with their backs to the Aron? What should those sitting between the Aron and the bimah do during laining?

Why Did Rav Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz Daven While Looking Out the Window?How Can Davening Alone by a Lake Constitute a Minyan?

Why did the Chasid in Kotzk say he was going to eat dinner after maariv on pesach?Why did he say he was going to davem Maariv on Leil Yom KippurRav Nachman of Breslov- even a rooster can wear a suit and eat a table

Is there an obligation to honor grandparents?Hear Rav Scheinberg's great Kasha on the din in the Shulchan Aruch!

Is there a halachic obligation to honor one's in-laws?Must one say ברשות חמי when leading a zimun in the presence of his father-in-law?

Some Siddurim mention to say a pasuk before davening. It's a Pasuk about Rivka, Yitzchak and the food she prepares for Yaakov. What does it have to do with davening?

The Gemara discusses who bears the financial responsibility for fulfilling the mitzvah of Kibbud Av Va'em: the child or the parent. We also explored the contemporary issue of parental alienation and concluded with a fascinating organ donation question: If a person can donate a kidney to only one individual, should he donate it to his wife or to his mother?

What are ways to make sure davening is important to us?

Struggling to connect with davening? How do you get better at it? Why does nothing seem to work?

When Tisha B'Av falls on a Thursday, there are a number of unique halachos that apply on Thursday night and Friday. When may you get a haircut? When can you eat meat? What about doing laundry? (There's certainly plenty of it waiting!)

Avoid politics and being swayed by the rich uncle.

Does a Diabetic Who Eats Cake Against Medical Advice Recite a Berachah?The cake is delicious and perfectly wholesome in and of itself. Yet for this particular person, it is dangerous to eat. How does this help resolve an apparent contradiction between Berachos 35a and 36b?

This year, Tisha B'Av falls on Thursday, a day when many people have cleaning help come to their homes. May the cleaning help come on Tisha B'Av morning, or is that prohibited?

Sometimes we feel "dead" in our Avodas Hashem. How do we approach that? Is there any way to work around that?

Be strong in the face of mockery!

Is there any obligation to honor uncles and aunts?

On the one hand, as the day of Tisha B'Av progressing the restrictions become less severe. However, even after Tisha B'av is over the nine days restrictions still remain. How are we to make sense of this?What should our attitude and feelings be on Motzai Tisha B'Av?

You have to honor your oldest brother. What about all older brothers? What does halacha say about an older sister? What is the reason for all of this?

What does Halacha say about honoring stepparents?

The Belzer Rebbe and the Imrei Emes teach us what Mesirus Nefesh looks like. You don't have to actually give up your life to be moser nefesh.What are examples related to davening?

So many halachosso much confusionJoin us as get clarity!

What are we mourning?Why was the Bsis Hamikdash detroyed?How can we rebuild it?

A convert's parent passes away. Do they say Kaddish? Are they allowed to? Are they obligated to?

Do you daven at the block minyan for Kol Nidrei? What if it's raining? What would Shabbos look like if this was your only one? How to create a feeling of Hischadshus in davening and Avodas Hashem

We are not just recounting stories. We have to live them

Rav Wolfson shares shorter thoughts on Tefila

In Halacha, a convert is like a new born baby and not connected halachickally to their non-Jewish parents. Would they still be obligated to honor their non-jewish parent? Why or why not?

We generally do not honor Reshaim. However, a parent is a parent regardless of level of observance. Must you honor a parent who is a Rasha? Why or why not? How do we pasken?

In what do our Tefilos resemble Korbanos?

We finally have an asnwer to our Modim Derabanan question