Daily Mishna by Jack Doueck

People who are eating together have an obligation to say "zimun". When can they split up?

How does the text of the Zimun change when 3 people that eat together become 10, 100, 1000, 10,000 or more?

More information on the concept and practice of "Zimun: - the invitation to thank God for our food as a group. How much bread do we need to eat to say Birkat Hamazon?

Introduction to the various gifts to the kohen, Levi, the poor and how giving these gives affects the rules of "zimun".

What was Birkat Hamazon called during the time of the Mishna and why? Who put it together? Which great figures of Jewish history created the various Berachot in this prayer? When do we say it according to Rabban Gamliel? When did Rabbi Akiva want us to say Birkat Hamazon? Was it only after bread? This Mishna is an eye-opener!

The concept of “Ikkar and Tafel” - differentiating between the essential and the subsidiary - is a key concept in Judaism as well as in time management! This Mishna presents the general principal with Berachot.

Can you eat an apple by saying "Amen" to my blessing on the apple? What are the rules for someone to exempt someone else from saying the blessing? Is there a difference between "Birkat Ha'Misvot" (blessings we say before doing misvot) and "Birkat Ha'nehenin" - blessings we say before partaking of food, beverage or incense?

If we say Birkat Ha'mosi - we can eat bread and everything else on the table. This Mishna discusses which berachot cover others and which don't.

This Mishna discusses the various opinions about the precedence of Berachot. If you have in front of you an apple and a date -- which one do you say the Berachah of Ha'etz on?

This Mishna continues to discuss the blessing we make on most drinks, fish, meat, eggs, dairy products etc.

In some ways the Berachah of “She’hakol” is a lower level blessing that we reserve for foods that do not grow on trees or on the ground. We say it on water and meat and fish -- not on important items like wine or bread. However, Shehakol has power! Listen for a story of the Lubavitcher Rebbe and how he used the power of Shehakol to help him overcome adversity!

Chapter Six discusses the various Berachot we say on different types of foods and drinks.

Introduction to "Berachot Nehenin" - blessings we say on things that give us pleasure such as food, drinks, etc. In this Mishna we define what a "Berachah" or blessing really is. Personal story about Rabbi Yisrael Wohgelernter of NYC added.

This Mishna discusses the care we should take when praying. Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa was a first-century Tana and  miracle-worker  and the pupil of  Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai . He is remembered more for his conduct than for his halakhic teachings. There are no laws quoted in his name. His popularity, however, which he enjoyed throughout his life, and which rendered him immortal among the mystics, rest...

The Kohanim go up and bless the people during the repetition of the Amidah. What do we do if there are no kohanim? What if the only Kohen is the Hazan (the"sheliah sibur" or cantor)?

This Mishna reminds us to be careful with the exact language and pronunciation of the prayers. No matter how passionate, we are all advised not to add our own lines - especially when we lead the congregation as "Hazan".

There are a few "additional prayers" that we insert into the Amidah. "Atah Honen" on Saturday nights or the nights after holidays; Ya'aleh ve'Yabo on Rosh Hodesh; "Al Hanisim" on Hanukkah and Purim; various prayers during the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur; and praising God for rain is included in these 'additional prayers". Where are they...

How do we get into the right state of mind before standing before God to say the AmidaH? Can we interrupt our Amidah?

Is the afternoon "Additional Prayer" called "Musaf" obligatory on an individual?

Continuation of previous Mishna.... Can we pray on a boat or a bus?

Are we allowed to pray the "Amidah" (literally the 'standing prayer') while sitting on a horse?

Building a relationship with God: “Hatob be’enechah aseh” - the concept of 'surrendering' to the will of our omnipotent, omniscient, all-good, benevolent God.

Rabbi Yehoshua’s leniency with the Amidah.... he had a shortcut in times of need. Rabbi Joshua ben Hananiah  יהושע בן חנניה  -   Rabbi Yehoshua , was a leading  tanna  of the first half-century following the  destruction  of the  Second Temple . He is the seventh-most-frequently mentioned sage in the Mishnah. He was a Levi and served in the sanctuary as a singer. His mother intended him for a life...

This Mishna discusses the prayer we say upon entering the "Bet Midrash" - study hall

This Mishna discusses the Amidah, its basis, the times we say it and its significance.