BDJ Daily Torah

Rabbi Kanefsky shows how Moshe varied the story of the second luchot, and the lesson it teaches about permanence.

Rabbi Kanefsky brings different views on whether the time frame - how long it has been since the knife was used on meat - has any bearing on whether the onion is affected.

Rabbi Kanefsky explains why Moshe goes out of his way to emphasize that the Jewish people are not inheriting the land of Israel because of how righteous they are.

Rabbi Kanefsky offers two explanations why a "meat" knife cutting into an onion may create more problems than cutting into other foods.

Rabbi Kanefsky looks at two different views of the Commandment: "You shall eat. You shall be satisfied. You shall bless."

Rabbi Kanefsky begins an exploration of an odd element of the laws of Kashrut, regarding a knife used for meat, cutting an onion with it and putting the onion into a dairy dish.

Rabbi Kanefsky points out the differences in the Ten Commandments as described in Parshat Vaetchanan compared to the list in Parshat Yitro, especially in regard to Shabbat.

Guest Contributor Sheldon Kasdan shows how doing "the righteous and the good" is a critical verse, working hand-in-hand with the 613 Commandments. And Baseball.

Rabbi Kanefsky demonstrates how Moshe's retelling of the Jewish people's encounter at Mt. Sinai, juxtaposed with G-d's refusal to allow him to enter the land of Israel, is actually a warning against idolatry.

Continuing the discussion of permanent Daylight Saving Time, Rabbi Kanefsky examines how it would affect the requirement that Tefillin be worn in the daytime, not when it's dark.

Rabbi Kanefsky quotes Sforno who explains the true meaning of "righteous statutes and laws" mentioned by Moshe at the start of Parshat Vaetchanan.

With the issue once again in the news, Rabbi Kanefsky refers to a 1971 letter by Rav Moshe Feinstein, strongly opposing a plan to impose permanent Daylight Saving Time.

Rabbi Kanefsky points to the Haftarah of Parshat Devarim: Isaiah describes the Jewish people's connection to G-d as a damaged...even betrayed...parent-child relationship, in which the pain is strong, but so is the potential for redemption.

Concluding his discussion of scooters on Shabbat, Rabbi Kanefsky shows that even those who permit children to ride scooters, tend to prohibit adults from doing the same, unless it's for the express purpose of going to the synagogue.

Rabbi Kanefsky offers a possible reason why Moshe "sanitizes" the story of the Jewish People's encounter with the people of Edom, who came out in force to prevent our passing through.

Rabbi Kanefsky quotes a contemporary halachic authority who suggests that children riding scooters on Shabbat may not be violating "uvda d'chol" - doing a "weekday" activity.

Guest Contributor Sheldon Kasdan shows how the Jewish people's encounter with Og, the king of Bashan, teaches an important lesson about the importance of every single mitzvah, no matter how small it may seem.

Rabbi Kanefsky links scooters to bicycles, and brings one view that "your mode of transportation on Shabbat should not be the same as your transportation during the week."

Rabbi Kanefsky explores curiously redundant language at the start of Parshat Devarim and explains how it may be a model for anyone giving someone a blessing.

Rabbi Kanefsky begins a discussion about the prohibition or permissibility of scooters on Shabbat.

Rabbi Stein examines the phrase "Rav lachem"  --  Enough for you! -- at the start of Parshat Devarim, and the message of action it contains.

Concluding his series on prayer when vocalization is not possible, Rabbi Kanefsky quotes a contemporary authority who equates sign language with speech, making it an acceptable form of tefillah for a deaf person.

Rabbi Stein explores the different explanations for Parshat Masei detailing every single step of the Jewish people's journey through the desert.

Rabbi Kanefsky examines the halachic debate over whether thought can substitute for spoken prayer in cases where vocalizing is difficult or impossible.

Guest Contributor Sheldon Kasdan quotes the Sfat Emet who explains how the long list of travels by the Jewish people listed in Parshat Masei is meant as a lesson in humility.