By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
Should someone’s birthday be celebrated by making a meal? Is it considered a Yom Tov?
The Ben Ish Chai in Parshas Re’eh 17 writes that some people have the minhag to make a Yom Tov on their birthday every year. They do so as a good siman. The Ben Ish Chai also had the minhag himself to do so. He also brings down a minhag to make a special celebration on the anniversary of the day of one’s bris. The Ben Ish Chai says we do not have this minhag.
The Chasam Sofer in Toras Moshe, Parshas Vayeira writes that Avraham Avinu made a seudah every year on the day of his bris.

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
There are a few questions we will pose here and to which we will provide appropriate answers. How is it possible that a person correctly lights one candle on the first night, two candles on the second night, three candles on the third night, four candles on the fourth night, four candles on the fifth night, three candles on the sixth night, two candles on the seventh night, and one candle on the eighth night?
How is it possible for a person not to be yotzei the mitzvah while he lights the Chanukah candles, but ten minutes later he will be yotzei?
How is it possible that a person will be required to repeat Shemoneh Esrei if he forgot “Al Hanissim?”

What does a Mashgiach look for when certifying an event? Let’s listen in to Rabbi Sholey Klein, Kashrus Administrator at Dallas Kosher as he discusses the responsibilities of a Mashgiach, with Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger.

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
The Gemara in Yuma 33b discusses the topic of  “Ein Mavirin al Hamitzvos.” Rashi explains that one who encounters a mitzvah should not leave it. We learn this out from “Ushmartem … hamatzos” and we read it mitzvos.
The Radvaz in Vol 2:509 says that the concept of not leaving a mitzvah is a DeRabbonon and the posuk mentioned above is an “asmachta” (a remez in the Torah.) The Levush and Taz and Pri megadim in Siman 25 argue and hold that not leaving a mitzvah is a DeOraysa.

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
In Bereishis 35:19 it says that Rachel was nifteres and was buried on the road leading to Efras, Bethlehem. Why do we not find in the Torah that Yaakov cried and was maspid Rachel the same way we find that Avraham was maspid Sarah?
One answer could be based on the Baal HaTurim that says the reason why Avraham was maspid Sarah for only a little bit was because it was considered as if Sarah was “MeAbed Atzma Ledaas.” She was Moseres Din LaShomayim by complaining. Here too Rachel was the cause of her demise because she stole her father’s trafim. She did this on her own without seeking advice and consent from Yaakov.

At Maariv tonight, residents of chutz la’aretz begin to say Vesein Tal Umatar during the Shemonah Esrei in the bracha of Boreich Aleinu. Residents of Eretz Yisroel already began saying Vesein Tal Umatar on the 7th of Cheshvan.
If one became aware after completing the bracha of Mevareich Hashanim that one omitted Vesein Tal Umatar, one should wait to insert it right before “Ki atah shomeiah” in Shema Koleinu.

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
In Eretz Yisroel they begin to say “vesen tal umatar” on zayin Cheshvan. In Chutz Le’Aaretz we begin saying “vesen tal umatar” on December 4th or on December 5th the year before a secular leap year. If a person from abroad is in Eretz Yisroel on the 7th of Cheshvan we find that there is a machlokes haposkim whether the person should say vesen tal umatar or not.

By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld
In Bereishis 27:6 Rivkah told Yaakov that she heard her father talking to Esav etc. She ends off saying, “Listen to what I will tell you.” In Pirkei D’Reb Eliezer 32 Rivkah told Yaakov, “My son this night is where the storage of Tal is opened and up in Shomayim they are singing shirah, make some good food for your father, so he can bentch you while he is still alive.” Yaakov being a Baki in the Torah feared being cursed by his father so Rivkah told him, “If you get gebentched it will go on you and your children, but if you get cursed it will go on me.” As the passuk says, “Alai Killelascha- Beni.

At simchas and events, a well-stocked bar is often a prime attraction. Are there any kashrus concerns with the beverages served in such venues? In this 2-part series of Let’s Talk Kashrus, Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger is joined by Rabbi Tzvi Haber, Director of Community Kashrus at the COR Kashrus Council of Canada, to discuss this fascinating topic.
 

Rabbi Yitzchok Hisiger: Thank you, Rabbi Haber, for joining us.
Rabbi Tzvi Haber: It’s a great pleasure.  

LISTEN:

https://matzav.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Bitachon4Life-Shiur-785-Small.mp3
For more info, email bitachon4life@gmail.com.