Selichos for Asara b'Tevet focus on three tragedies that occured during the month.

A brief history of the events that brought about the first downfall of Yerushalayim. What caused the Jewish people to lose the Holy City, and what can we learn from those events about what is taking place in Eretz Yisroel today?

In memory of Tamar Rivkah bas Sheur Zalman on the occasion of her yahrzeit.

At what point do we say that one travelling by sea is no longer in danger?

Understanding the Talmud -- the Rambam's explanation of the Gamara provides insights into and has implications regarding the halacha of birkat hagomel.

There are four situations that require a Jew to bring a Todah offering.

We can put aside wax Chanukah candles to light olive oil instead. Can we put aside one sefer Torah to read from another?

Most of us don't light outside today. Where should we light?

If one day's supply of oil burned for eight days, then there were only seven miraculous days -- the first day's supply was what was found. So why eight days of Chanukah instead of seven?

What does it mean when we say in the Chanukah: story that "there was only one jug of 'pure' oil?

Does a medicine require a bracha?

What is the bracha for roots from a tree?

Root vegetables are either pri ha-adama or she-hakol.

Crab apples and crab pears; wild berries on trees and bushes; lousy fruits.

What do we do with worn out items that have inherent kedushah (holiness) or that have been used for a mitzvah?

More on the difference between a tree and a plant.

A first look at the difference between a tree and a plant.

Introduction to the bracha borei pri ha-adamah.

Every day after learning, we recite the mishnah "Rebbi Chananya ben Akashya." What does it mean?

A minyan is so important to prayer that we should willingly give up a profit to daven with a minyan.

Understanding Shmuel's calendar.

Why do we start praying for rain based on a secular date?

Davening and Torah study must lead to proper action -- honesty in business among them.

Sometimes keeping a set schedule for learning means giving up potential business profits. Or does it?

If you skip a pasuk or perek during Hallel, do you need to go back and correct your mistake? If so, how?

Every day, we should have a set time for Torah study -- a time that we are so committed to that we make up for having missed it.

Learning Torah on your own is quite different from learning with a group.

After shacharit, the next stop is at the Beit Midrash for Torah learning.

Brachos upon seeing wondrous mountains, rivers, oceans, and deserts.

If you are in a place (like a bathroom) where you can't make the brachah on thunder (or anything else), do you lose the brachah, or is there an option to make it later?

If you find a mitzvah that no one is observing, pursue that mitzvah with alacrity.

During a thunder storm, how many times can you make a brachah?

Awesome (in the literal sense) natural events inspire brachos.

The sight of a rainbow reminds us of Hashem's covenant with Noah and as such merits a special blessing.

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.

If our Hebrew calendar is based on Rav Adda's calculations, why is birkat ha-chama based on Mar Shmuel's calculations? Also, why don't we say shehechiyanu when we say birkat ha-chama?

Can birkat ha-chama be made if you can't see the sun?

The ideal time to make birkat hachama is just after netz ha-chama; in practical terms, this means just after shacharit.

Understanding the blessing over the sun according to the Rambam; also: the constellations and astrological signs.

What blessing is said only once every 28 years?

Rav Dovid discusses his personal experiences with honoring Torah scholars.

Why do we associate honoring a Torah scholar with honoring elders rather than with honoring parents?

There are a variety of things that we don't do out of respect...; how to correct your rabbi if he makes a mistake.

At what point are we requited to arise before a rabbi? At what point can we sit? To what rabbi(s) does this apply?

We honor our rabbis, elders, and parents by standing before them and by not calling them by name.

What are the parameters of honoring Torah scholars and elders?

Dedicated l'ilui nishmat Shneur Zalman ben Shlomo on the occasion of his yahrzeit.

The Sefer HaChinuch sees Lev. 19:32 as applying only to Torah scholars. What is the connection between honoring Torah scholars and honoring our elders?

We are required to respect all elders, even non-Torah scholars, even non-Jews.

Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.

Rashi and Ibn Ezra explain the connection between "Revere G-d; I am Hashem" and "Arise before the elderly and honor your elders."

Dedicated in memory of Feigel bas Aharon HaKohen on the occasion of her yahrzeit and for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.

What is the difference between "respect your elders" and "stand in respect of an elder"? Is it one mitzvah or two?

We have a mitzvah d'oraita to honor and respect our elders. Here's one situation where it applies.

The mitzvah of hakhel: the gathering of all of the Jewish people every seven years to listen to the king read the Torah.

The mitzvah of hakhel: the gathering of all of the Jewish people every seven years to listen to the king read the Torah.

If you forget to put your schach on, can a non-Jew put it on for you on Yom Tov? Also: does your sukkah need a mezuzah?

A solid roof over the sukkah renders the sukkah pasul, but what about a roof that opens? Is there a way to deal with a tree?

On Erev Yom Kippur, selichot are brief, and other sections of shacharit are skipped as well.

A detailed look at the structure and content of the selichot for the 4th of the 10 days of teshuva.

Understanding the structure of selichot enhances our appreciation thereof.

The heart of the selichot service is the recitation of the 13 attributes, as given to Moshe on Mt. Sinai.

Though a true ba'al teshuva has great merits, nonetheless a ba'al teshuva has an inherent humility as an outgrowth of the teshuva process.

Teshuva draws us closer to Hashem and brings us closer to geula.

Much of teshuva is about the struggle to overcome the yetzer hara -- a struggle that has its own rewards.

The Rambam emphasizes a whole new realm of teshuva: correcting improper thoughts and middot.

The principle of performing mitzvot with a large group or community.

There are times when an aveirah -- a misdeed -- accompanies a mitzvah. What do we do in such a case?

Mitzvah HaBa'ah b'Aveira; spending significant amounts of money for the sake of a mitzvah aseh or of avoiding a lo ta'aseh.

Sometimes we need Hashem's help to do teshuva.

There are some actions so heinous that the consequence thereof is that we lose our ability to return to Hashem in teshuva.

Our ability to draw closer to Hashem through teshuva is dependent on our free will. Just as free will allows us to do aveirot, so too it allows us to correct our aveirot with teshuva.

When is a baal teshuva's return complete? Also: teshuva out of fear; teshuva out of love.

We cannot bring a korban chatat, so what are we to do to make restitution with Hashem?

Normally, one who accidentally commits an aveira like violating shabbos brings a korban chatat (special sacrifice) as a kapara (to make restitution). Does this obligation apply to today's baal teshuva?

A child has no culpability for wrongdoings as he doesn't yet know better. What about an adult who doesn't (or didn't) know better?

What are a child's obligations with regard to Yom Kippur and the Teshuva process? Does an adult need to do teshuva for the indiscretions of his or her youth? What about a ba'al teshuva?

The process of teshuva is incumbent upon all of us at all times.

A "Vidui" is not a confession. Just what is it, and what is its role in teshuva? Also: the first two steps toward teshuva.

The obligation of teshuva stems from our obligation to speak our hearts to Hashem.

The halachot of permissible and forbidden interruptions in Hallel are parallel to those of Shema and Pesukei d'Zimra.

It is preferable to recite Hallel with the community; when doing so, certain verses are repeated.

The blessings recited over Hallel; half- vs. full Hallel; reciting Hallel alone vs. with a minyan.

Part of proper kavanah includes enjoyment of the mitzvah as well as awareness of both love for and awe of Hashem.

Salt shakers, sugar shakers, drain filters, tea bags, and coffee presses.

Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Moshe Chaim ben Rivka.

Principles, parameters, and examples of the malacha of tochen on shabbos.

Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Moshe Chaim ben Rivka.

Proper orientation of tefillin straps; review and summary of halachot in the proper wearing of tefillin.

Exactly where on the head should the Tefillin shel Rosh be placed?

Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Moshe Chaim ben Rivka.

Exactly where on the arm should the Tefillin shel Yad be placed?

Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Moshe Chaim ben Rivka.

Final issues and examples in tochen; summary of all tochen principles.

The impact of a grinder or grater with regard to tochen as a malacha.

One of the most common applications of tochen is the cutting or chopping of vegetables for salad.

The principles and parameters of the malacha of tochen on shabbos; permitted ways of grinding.

The significance of Tisha b'Av goes beyond fasting and even beyond mourning. What are we to learn from Tisha b'Av?

Having kavanah -- intentionality, intellectual focus, emotional presence, and spiritual concentration -- is essential for proper mitzvah observance.

Summary and overview of all the special aspects of Shabbos Erev Tisha b'Av.

On motzei shabbos erev Tisha b'Av, we cannot drink wine. How do we make havdala?

On Shabbos, the third meal usual extends past sunset into the night; on Erev Tisha b'Av, we begin fasting at sunset. So what do we do when Erev Tisha b'Av falls on Shabbos?

In general, we don't launder or wear clean clothes, take haircuts, or wash during the nine days. What about lichvod shabbat?

On Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av, do we read the haftarah for Rosh Chodesh or for the Tlat d'Puranuta? Also: the brachot for the haftorah and musaf on Shabbos Rosh Chodesh.

The importance of a fruit being recognizable; summary of the laws of brachot for fruit.

The principle of bal tosif -- adding on to mitzvot and claiming the additions are Torah requirements.

Does a fruit keep its bracha if the fruit is in a form that is no longer recognizable as the fruit?

Dedicated as a zechut for a refuah shleimah for Moshe Chaim ben Rivka.

Some fruits are meant to be picked before they are fully grown; others are meant to be picked after they are overripe.

Understanding and completing a mitzvah in its entirety.

Brachot for orange peels, grape leaves, capers, caper leaves, and more -- what is the main part of the fruit or tree?

What is the bracha for a spice that comes from a tree? Is it a "fruit extract" like juice? Does it matter if it comes from the fruit or some other part of the tree like the root?

Sugar, like fruit, is a product from a tree (or at least a plant). What is its correct bracha?

Overview and summary of the history and halachot of the Three Weeks

At what point is juice the "normal" way of eating a fruit? What about stewing or seeping? Plumbs, figs, and oranges; kanata a'da'ta d'hechi.

Juice that seeps or is squeezed from fruit or that comes from crushing or cooking fruit -- what is its bracha?

Figuring out the correct bracha on a mixture is complex and includes the intricacies of ikkar v'tefel, kavanah, ta'am, ikkar hapri, and more.

Concepts in brachot related to juices and medicines; also, more on ikkar v'tefel.

One who is zealous to be close to Hashem performs mitzvot with enthusiasm and alacrity.

Is a seed part of the fruit and hence subject to the same brachah, or is it a different food? Is the seed tafel to the fruit? Why is the tree grown?

Hashem answers all our prayers, granting us whatever we need -- if we focus on the right needs.

What is the brachah for an immature, inedible nut that becomes edible when cooked? Concept: natay a'da'ta.

What is the brachah for a nut? Concepts: ikkar and tefel; griuta and maalyuta; tzurato nikeret.

What is the brachah for a fresh fruit that is better when cooked? A cooked fruit that tastes better when fresh?

What is the brachah for a fruit that is eaten either cooked or fresh?

What is the brachah for fruit that is sour, bitter because it is unripe? What if it is so bitter that it is inedible?

At what point during a fruit's maturation process does it become the "main" fruit that receives the brachah borei pri ha-etz?

Halacha l'ma'aseh: there are four requirements that, if met, make raisin wine pri ha-gefen by all opinions.

Each mitzvah has its own inner beauty, and we should seek to express that beauty in our observance of the mitzvah by performing it in a pleasing manner.

Is the brachah for raisin wine borei pri hagafen or shehakol?

At some point in mixing wine with other liquids, its brachah changes from borei pri ha-gefen. Just when does that happen?

Does wine still get a special brachah if it is concentrated? Mevushal? Pasteurized? Mixed with other flavors?

Why does wine get a special bracha? Why does fruit from a tree get a different bracha from other plants?

The general rules for brachot on fruit -- when the brachah is pri ha'etz, pri ha'adamah, and shehakol. Also: what to do if you don't know what brachah to make -- the answer will likely surprise you!

Eating without saying a bracha prior to eating is like stealing from Hashem.

Chinuch for Birkat HaMazon is unique in that a child can fulfill his father's obligation.

Chinuch is all about relationships -- relationships with ourselves, with our children, spouses, friends, and with Hashem.

Summary of various topics, including: handing a child an issur; handing a child an issur by way of a non-Jew; issurei d'rabbanan for a sick child; and circumstances where it is forbidden to eat (such as prior to kiddush and fast days.

All Jews are responsible for one another, so there are situations where every adult Jew has an obligation to educate every Jewish child. Two common cases: when a child does an issur for an adult; mitzvot ben adam l'chaveiro.

We make havdala following Yom Tov, but we don't include the candle or spices. Why?

If you are engaged in performing a mitzvah, you have no obligation to interrupt to perform other mitzvot, even if their time will pass, even if they are "more important."

Staying awak all night on Shavuos may compensate for our oversleeping when the Torah was given. Also: handling the morning blessings for those who haven't slept.

We do not "bundle" mitzvot together and perform multiple mitzvot at once.

On the 61st anniversary of the establishment of modern Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem, what should we be thinking with regard to the Holy City?

The Chayei Adam views chinuch for mitzvot lo ta'aseh as an obligation of every Jew -- and Rav Dovid adds, this mitzvah of chinuch is not just for children.

Dedicated as a zechut for Tzipporah Feiga bas Chana Breina that she should have the privilege of raising children in a life of Torah.

Chinuch for mitzvot lo ta'aseh begins as soon as the child understands "no." We protect our children from physical dangers; should we not be equally careful of spiritual dangers?

A child picks up a forbidden food or begins to perform a forbidden act. Need we stop the child? Reprimand him or her? What if it isn't your child?

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Chaya Sarah Dinah bas Alta Bas Sheva

Under no (ordinary) circumstances can you hand a child a forbidden food or an opportunity to violate a Torah prohibition.

L'ilui nishmat Zissel Devorah bas Avraham Abish on the occasion of her yahrzeit.

We must always regard mitzvot respectfully, never putting ourselves above a mitzvah.

In some situations, we need not prevent a child from eating something when he shouldn't.

The opportunity to perform a mitzvah in the most ideal fashion later is a legitimate reason to delay its immediate observance.

When choosing between two mitzvot, both timing and mitzvah "importance" count.

The first principle of mitzvah observance is to never pass up the opportunity to do a mitzvah.

Educate a child according to his way; even when he ages, he will not depart from it.

We don't teach children before they are ready.

Chinuch for different mitzvot varies with the age and understanding of the child.

Introduction to chinuch: a look at Kiddush Lavana and Kriat Shema.

Kiddush Lavana customs are all about the joy of the relationship between Hashem and His people, and the joy associated with Kiddush Lavana reflects this relationship.

Kiddush Lavana is a time of joy, and many of its halachot and customs reflect this. So can a mourner say Kiddush Lavana? We are supposed to enjoy the light of the moon as part of the reason for the blessing, but do we look at the moon while reciting Kiddush Lavana?

Kiddush Lavana is ideally said on Motzei Shabbos or Motzei Yom Tov. What about after a fast day? This shiur discusses Yom Kippur, Tisha B'Av, Asara B'Tevet, Ta'anit Ester, and other Taaniot.

What are the earliest and latest dates in the monthly lunar cycle when Kiddush Levana can be recited? Why?

The ideal time for Kiddush Lavana is Motzei Shabbos -- within reason. Also: a brief summary of the works of Rav Yosef Caro, plus a bit of angeology.

L'ilui nishmat Moshe ben Hirsh on the occasion of his yahrzeit.

Who is obligated to recite Kiddush Levana? Do you have to see the moon to say it? When is it said?

Introduction to Kiddush Levana -- the mitzvah of sanctifying the new moon.

The "Ot-Bosh" of Pesach is one of the many wonders of the Jewish Calendar.

Why do we eat eggs at the seder? Why is there an egg on the seder plate?

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.

If you forget to make up for havdala in the second bracha, you have additional opportunities through the meal, the seder, and beyond. Also: washing hands for kiddush.

If you forget to make Havdala in Kiddush, how do you make up for your ommission?

The Kiddush of Pesach on Motzei Shabbos is special in that it includes both Shehechiyanu and Havdala.

Dedicated as a zechut l'ilui nishmat Shaul ben Chana z"l for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.

In the middle of the Pesach Seder, we recite Hallel; in the middle of Hallel, we interrupt to eat. How can we interrupt Hallel in the middle? Also: There are two special changes in Maariv for Pesach: many communities recite Hallel, and there is no Kiddush in shul.

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda and Tamar bat Sigalit.

The special evening prayers for Erev Pesach.

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.

On a weekday Erev Pesach, if you forgot to discard some chometz, you burn it up as soon as you remember. What do you do on shabbos?

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.

It's shabbos Erev Pesach, I swept up my chometz crumbs, but after halachic 10:00 AM I found more chometz! Now what do I do!?

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda and Aliza Sali bas Tsippora.

Chometz crumbs must be swept away after the morning shabbos meal. What if there is actual food -- challah -- left over?

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda, Aliza Sali bas Tsippora, and Zev Velvel ben Shirley.

When Erev Pesach is on shabbos, how do we wash up dishes from the chometz meals?

Dedicated for a refuah shleimah for Breina bas Frieda.

In most years, we burn and nullify our chometz on the day before Pesach. When Erev Pesach is on shabbos, when and how do we burn and nullify chometz?

We usually have Shalosh Seudos after Mincha on shabbos with bread. When Erev Pesach is on shabbos, how do we have challah at three shabbos meals?

When Erev Pesach is on shabbos, we certainly cannot check for chometz by the light of a candle on Friday night. What do we do? And do we make a bracha?

Erev Pesach is the Fast of the Firstborn. When it falls on shabbos, when do the firstborn fast, if at all?

If Erev Pesach falls on shabbos, it leads to many, many halachic questions. This shiur introduces the topic with a story from the Talmud of one such occurence.

Who was Ahashveirosh who made a 180-day party? Why is it important that he sat on his throne in Shushan, his capitol city; isn't that what all kings do?

An introduction to the first few verses of the Megilla as an example of the rabbinic exegetic process.

If you must be away for Purim such that you won't have an opportunity to hear the megilla at the right time, what should you do?

When Shushan Purim falls on Shabbos, Jews in walled cities celebrate Purim for three days!

A dweller of a walled city who goes to a village for Purim or vice versa... when does he read the Megilla? Also: Two Biblical walled cities of questionable status.

Halachot for situations when you are unsure whether to observer Purim on the 14th or 15th of Adar, including questionably walled cities, and an introduction to people who travel to or from walled cities for Purim.

The status of various cities -- modern Jerusalem, Shushan, Jaffa, Tiberias, Hebron, and more.

Most of us celebrate Purim on the fourteenth of Adar, but certain cities, like Shushan, celebrate on the fifteenth.

The halachic implications of the added month in a leap year: Bar Mitzvah, bechor, rentals, mourning, korbanot, and more.

During a leap year, just how long is a "year," and what are the halachic implications of the added month?

Keeping our promises is not just about our interpersonal and business relationships; it is a spiritual necessity for the entire Jewish People and the entire world. We must always be of one voice in heart and speech.

Dedicated in honor of Rabbi Hager, the rabbi of the Wall Street Synagogue, and in honor of Yoel ben Ephraim Mordechai.

We must use a hin tzedek in all of our business dealings -- whether literally or figuratively.

Part of emes entails being true and honest, and that means keeping our promises.

We may only possess accurate weights and measures. Based on the same verse, Chazal admonish us: say only what you mean.

Changing our words or deviating from the truth does not mean that we are deviating from emes. A proper understanding of emes at times includes deviations from what in English is called "truth."

Sometimes we can deviate from the truth, so long as we stick within appropriate halachic boundaries. But making a habit of such deviation is dangerous.

Rabbeinu Yonah differentiates among different types of untruth, distinguishing between that which is permitted and that which is forbidden. But even the permitted should be avoided, as it accustoms our tongues to falsehood.

If Tefillin come off or out of place, do you make a new bracha before putting them back?

There are times when we are allowed to deviate from the truth, but knowing how and when is generally extraordinarilly difficult to judge.

Dedicated l'ilui nishmat Geula Yehudis Malka Rivka bas Chaim Mordechai on the occasion of her yahrzeit.

We have two mitzvot regarding truth and falsehood: "Do not lie" and "Distance yourself from falsehood. Why two mitzvot and what is the difference between them?

A review, summary and overview of halachot of shacharit, from Shema through Aleinu.

A review, summary and overview of halachot of morning conduct, from waking up through the recitation of Shema.

How do we record the date in halachic documents during the two months of Adar in a leap year? What about the two days of Rosh Chodesh? Also: a general overview of the Jewish Calendar.

Why is kaddish recited by mourners? The Midrash of Rabbi Akiva / Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and the merit of kaddish. Also: important halachot when multiple people recite kaddish together.

In a leap year, are there any customs associated with Purim Katan, the 14th and 15th of Adar I?

In a leap year, are events observed in Adar 1 or Adar 2?

Choosing whole matzos from among broken matzos is a problem of borrer that presents itself every Pesach.

The order of the Torah reading, the reason for four aliyot, and the division of the aliyot on Rosh Chodesh.

Dealing with common situations of borrer that occur during a meal: removing waste from food and peeling.

According to the Chayei Adam, separating the parts of milk -- curds, whey, cream -- is all considered borrer.

In yesterday's shiur (Borrer 8), we struggled to understand the confusing case of separating egg yolk and white by way of a mustard strainer. In today's shiur, Rav Dovid shares his chidushim that make sense of this difficult case.

Strainers and filters can be used on shabbos in some circumstances but not others. This is an area where there is a very fine line between mutar l'chatchila and chayav chatas, and most of us often don't understand the differences.

Is there a permitted way to pour off a liquid from unwanted sediment or to remove fat from gravy on shabbos? How do you avoid borrer in such cases?

Even though it is a utensil made for separating, under some circumstances an actual strainer may be used on Shabbos.

Dedicated l'ilui nishmat Aharon ben Meir on the occasion of his yahrzeit.

Some liquids may be strained with a handkerchief without violating borrer, but straining others is an issur d'oraita.

Borrer also applies when separating between two foods when one is desirable and one is not.

Applying the rules of borrer to a common shabbos situation: separating good fruit from bad, or wilted lettuce from crispy.

Given as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Tamar bat Sigalit.

For borrer to be permissible, three conditions must be met: the separation must be done by hand, by taking good from bad, and for immediate use. The Chayei Adam adds another condition: taking the lesser quantity from the greater.

The malacha of zoreh (winnowing) has very few practical implications today. Borrer (selecting or sorting) is among the most difficult malachot to apply because it is so subtle.

Halachic details regarding the proper blessing for the recitation of half-hallel, including when to make and not make a bracha on hallel.

Given as a zechut for a refuah shleima for Tamar bat Sigalit.

What if you accidentally include ya'aleh v'yavo in a weekday amidah?

If ya'aleh v'yavo is forgotten on Rosh Chodesh at mincha, can you make up for it in the following ma'ariv?

We previously learned that you can make up for a missed shabbos amidah in the subsequent weekday amidah. But what if you mistakenly davened a weekday amidah on shabbos -- can you correct that error in a subsequent weekday amidah?

A review of all the halachot we have learned with ragard to making up for missed prayers, and a recap of the examples found in the Shulchan Aruch.

In memory of Tzippora bat Meir on the occastion of her yahrzeit.

If you miss mincha on shabbos, can you make up for it with a second ma'ariv after shabbos?