Brachot

Oats and Eating Bread on Shabbat

Question: Hi Rabbi, I'm writing now regarding the mitzvah of having seudot on Shabbat and Yom Tov after listening to your explanation of...

Zimun and the Mingling of Men and Women: an Issue of Social Norms

Does the Torah mandate separate seating on buses or at weddings? Separate hours at supermarkets? Clearly not. Men and women sat mixed...

Women and Zimun

Women are required to say Birkath HaMazon. So why can't they join a zimun with men? Some rishonim say they can, though it may not have...

The True Way to Make a Zimun

When at least three religious Jews eat together, one of them typically says the first paragraph of the Blessings recited after eating....

Kiddush Levana Customs

Question: When should one recite Qidush L'vana this month? Is there an Inyan of saying it with a Minyan? Answer: One should always recite...

Q and A s with Rabbi David Bar-Hayim: Shaatnez, E-cigarettes, Abortion, Yom Yov Sheni and more

Rabbi David Bar-Hayim Says Havdalah at Machon Shilo Shabbaton

Rabbi David Bar-Hayim Says Berachot at a Brit Milah

Q and As with Rabbi David Bar-Hayim on Tefillah, Shema, & Brachot

Blessings on Dessert

Question: What types of b'rachoth are appropriate on desserts eaten during a meal with bread? Does it matter what type of dessert is...

Q and As with Rabbi David Bar-Hayim on Shabbat: Early Shabbat, Making Ice, Making Requests, Domains

Machon Shilo's Rabbi David Bar-Hayim leads Birkat HaMazon, Nusach Eretz Yisrael

When to say Brachot Acharonot at the Seder?

In Exile does one make "Shehechiyanu" on the 2nd night of Passover?

P'suqe d'Zimrah - Obligation or Recommendation?

Question: Is P'suqe d'Zimrah obligatory? Answer: It is true that Hazal do not state that P'suqe d'Zimrah is obligatory. This is implied...

Car Accident – HaGomel?

Question: Shalom Mori. Yesterday I was involved in a car accident. Another driver ran the light and smashed into my driver’s-side door....

Birkath haTorah

When is it appropriate to recite Birkath haTorah? The Rav speaks in Hebrew and English, and translates between the two.

Q and As with Rabbi David Bar-Hayim on Tefillah & Berachot

What bracha do I make on cookies made out of 100% whole rye flour?

Question What bracha do I make on cookies made out of 100% whole rye flour? Answer According to the Talmud Yerushalmi and the Rambam...

Should I say the bracha shehecheyanu upon new clothing?

Question Should I say the bracha "shehecheyanu" upon purchasing a new article of clothing? Answer During the Talmud buying new articles...