By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Noted Talmid Chochom, Rav Yehudah Schiff Shlita, spoke this Shabbos Chanukah at Kollel Avreichim of Far Rockaway and the Five Towns. He dealt with the nature of the obligation of Hallel on Chanukah. TOSFOS He began with Tosfos in Sukkah (38a “Mi”) who differentiates between the Hallel recited on […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times] There are a number of fascinating halachic debates concerning where Yeshiva students should be lighting their Chanukah menorahs. When dealing with in-town Yeshivos, there are hundreds of Yeshiva boys who eat supper in Yeshiva but who sleep nearby in their own homes. Where should these […]

(By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5TJT.com) It is Shabbos Rosh Chodesh Chanukah.  And when Rosh Chodesh falls on Shabbos – there is a fascinating yet unresolved halachic question. As a preface, we know that Rosh Chodesh is a special and festive occasion that symbolizes the renewal of the Jewish people. It is for this reason […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Be prepared for hundreds of fascinating rulings in halacha from Rav Chaim Kanievsky shlita. Reb Shimon Brecher z”l was an extraordinary individual whom Klal Yisroel had lost to COVID at a relatively young age.  He passed away in October of last year.  Reb Shimon, or Shimi, lived in Lakewood, […]

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Rabbi Dr. Aaron Glatt was a guest at the White House Chanukah lighting.  It is this author’s view that he performed a Kiddush Hashem in strictly following halacha, as is clear from the video.  How so?  He followed the halachic view of Ner Ish uVaiso and did not recite […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com It is sort of a repeat of the Greek move that instigated the background to Chanukah. Yesterday, the UN General Assembly voted on something called “The Jerusalem Resolution.”   There was a section that dealt with the Temple Mount.  The results of the vote were 129-11. The resolution, however, makes […]

By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com All her life, the Kallah was looking forward to her wedding.  We can well imagine what was in her head:  the Kaballas Panim with the stunningly decorated floral backdrop and the wide assortment of food stations, the sushi station in the Asian Food section, the omelet and hamburger stations […]

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — Kyle Rittenhouse has been acquitted of all charges after pleading self-defense in the deadly Kenosha, Wisconsin, shootings that became a flashpoint in the nation’s debate over guns, vigilantism and racial injustice. The jury came back with its verdict after close to 3 1/2 days of deliberation. Rittenhouse, 18, could have gotten […]

by Rabbi Yair Hoffman for 5tjt.com Please daven for Yoseph Yitzchok ben Gittel – The Rosh Yeshiva of Mesivta of Long Beach – Rav Yitzchok Feigelstock shlita, who is in need of rachamei shamayim. It is well known that Rav Aharon zt”l consulted very often with Rav Feigelstock, whom he considered as one of his […]