By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com The men and Yeshiva boys come home from shul.  They make kiddush and eat right before the meal.  Are they permitted to do so?  When finished, do they make a bracha acharona – an after bracha?  Or is the food covered by the bentching that will be made after […]

(By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com) [In honor of the shalom zachar of our great-nephew to Matan and Sarah Shaked .] The Klausenberger Rebbe zt”l was once shot in the arm r”l by a Nazi while he was in Auschwitz. He was afraid to go to the Nazi infirmary, even there were doctors there. He […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Before we begin, let’s start with two thoughts about Hatzolah people.  They are there for us, through thick and thin.  They are selfless.  They give up their precious family time.  That’s the first thought. The second thought is that they relieve our anxieties.  We know that they are there.  […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Sal and Vinny, the barbers, have, uncharacteristically, been calling up the halacha hotlines across the country with the following question: Should we staff up for an onslaught on Friday or not? [Actually, they probably have not called – but, hopefully, you do get the picture]. SHORT ANSWER The short […]

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman It is called Sporcle. 1, Download the app. (You can scan the QR code.) 2. Open a Pirkei Avos – Perek 1.   Beat the other players and win a free pizza. 3. The game will start at 11:45 PM 4. The code to press is 924 660 Email yairhoffman2@gmail.com to register […]

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the S’fas Tamim Foundation In this week’s parsha, Shmini, shortly after the passing of Aharon’s two sons, Nadav and Avihu, Moshe questioned the remaining sons: “Why did you not eat from sin-offering?”  The sin-offering was supposed to have be eaten by the Kohanim.  Instead, the entire offering was burned. Aharon […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com The Talmud (Brachos 43b) tells us that during the month of Nissan, when one goes out and sees trees blossoming recites the blessing, “Who has not left lacking in His world etc.”  [The blessing is recited upon fruit trees that are blossoming]. On this small section of the Gemorah, […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com The essential point of reciting shira is to embed Emunah in our hearts and souls. The generation of Enosh erred in praising and eventually worshipping the celestial creations that Hashem created. This led the world into idolatry. The Shira rectified that error, and is thus termed by Chazal as […]

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com “Rabbi, we have this great new dip recipe for Matzah. It has olive oil, rosemary, salt, crushed red hot pepper, and whole and freshly crushed garlic. May I crush the garlic on Yom Tov itself?” The short answer is yes, but with a shinui – doing it in a […]