Rabbi Eliezer Melamed

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Laws and customs for Erev Pesach that falls on Shabbat

When the 14th of Nisan falls on Shabbat, the chametz is checked with a blessing on the night of the 13th of Nisan. On Friday, the chametz is burned. More below.

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Enhancing the Mitzvah of Matzot for Seder Night

The matzah comes to remind us of faith, and therefore its entire process of preparation must be done with great care. One must guard the matzot designated for the Seder night in a special manner so that they do not become chametz.

The blessing of “Matziv Gvul Almanah”

The blessing should be recited over homes in regions where significant effort is still required to uphold the mitzvah of settling the Land, such as homes along the northern border, and near the Gaza Strip—especially when residents return after an extended period of abandonment. (At end: microwave ovens on Pesach)

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Letting Purim joy last all year- and when to have a Friday seuda

If Purim falls on Friday, the custom is preferably to begin the meal before noon, but there are other possibities (see below). Purim joy was observed even when the Jewish people were in harsh exile It is an answer to suffering, since in Purim we learned that even evil will eventually turn to good, so it is the greatest joy of all

The attitude of Halakha towards Buddhism

Most Buddhists in the Indian subcontinent also worship Buddha statues, which classifies them as non-monotheisic idolators. However, Buddhism itself primarily focuses on calming human desires and achieving a life of tranquility rather than addressing God.

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Miracles and Torah Scholars

The great rabbis did not engage in miracles; they deeply contemplated God’s word as revealed through the commandments of the Torah and its teachings, and based on this, they guided the public.

Hostage releases on Shabbat - trampling Israel's honor

It is unfortunate that the representatives of the State of Israel did not take heed of the fact that the release of the hostages was done on Shabbat, violating the national sanctity of the day. Honoring Israel’s holy symbols is an essential component in defeating the enemy, and in establishing the Israeli national identity.

The Exodus from Egypt and Redemption through natural means

God created the world so that it operates according to laws known as the laws of nature; Miracles were intended to reveal and publicize that God is the leader of the entire world.

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The Hostage Deal and our soldiers' heroism

We must exalt the bravery of the regular and reserve soldiers who fought for so many months. Thanks to their dedication, the people of Israel live and continue to move forward.

Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the Earth

When faith is firm, life intensifies with strength, and even the greatest suffering does not diminish life, but strengthens it. The material power of Egypt was absorbed by us as a force that enabled increased reproduction.

The power of Blessings and Curses

The power of blessings is greater than the power of curses and a parent’s blessing for their child has a particularly strong impact. The Torah prohibits cursing someone, wishing for their death, illness, or other misfortune.

Customs based on superstition

It is forbidden to believe in traditions that lack logic, and to act upon them. Jews are commanded to focus their faith on the Torah and commandments, which uplift a person and guide them to be good and just.

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The damage wrought by the Evil Eye

The evil eye (ayin ha’ra) causes harm in both visible and hidden levels, first a loss of a person’s self-confidence and on a hidden, deeper level, just as a person’s negative thoughts about themselves can harm their body, they can also affect others, and harm them.

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Non-Jewish holidays and Gregorian Calendar dates

It is forbidden for a Jew to celebrate the holidays of another religion and it is not appropriate to celebrate civil holidays that were originally religious holidays.

Good, evil, and growth

God created the world and everything in it, including evil and suffering, in order to benefit His creations. Man’s view is narrow and limited, unable to see the bigger picture. From this, we can strengthen our faith that everything God does is for the good

Content of the Divine Revelation

All Divine revelations to the patriarchs dealt with establishing the people of Israel – that they would multiply, inherit the Land, and bring blessing to all peoples. Blessed are the soldiers fighting with self-sacrifice and defending the people and the Land. The Levites and priests participated in Israel’s wars.

On the Law exempting Yeshiva Students from Military Service

It is a great commandment from the Torah to save a person in danger. When it comes to saving all of Israel, it is considered a clear obligatory war. The commandment to study Torah does not override the commandment to enlist in the army but the discussion about the government’s survival is a different matter and coercive conscription is not feasible

Divination: What’s forbidden, and what’s permitted

One who transgresses the prohibition of divination, nullifies the commandment to act with simplicity before God. It is forbidden to use divination or sorcery even for promoting good purposes.

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Believers, Children of Believers

The basic trait of faith exists in all humans; however, among Jews, it appears with enhanced intensity that drives them towards eternal progress, and rectification of the world.

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Natural faith and the causes of doubts

Humans naturally believe , Since Jewish faith manifests in all areas of life, it is a commandment to establish it in three circles that encompass human life: in consciousness, in emotion, and in life as a whole

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Why do we “descend” to Chol HaMoed after the Holiday?

Chol HaMoed is a connecting link between the holiness of the festival and the weekdays. Our role during Chol HaMoed is to strengthen ourselves in Torah study and in the joy of the festival. Through this, we merit again the Yom Tov at the end of the festival.

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The courage of our soldiers

In IDF military service, soldiers fulfill two commandments, each equivalent to all the commandments: the obligatory war of saving Israel from its enemy’s hand, and settling the land.

Approaching two Holy Days and Shabbat

The uniqueness of Rosh Hashanah's joy - amidst trembling - and the special laws for this year.

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The custom of reciting Selichot

Selichot is a custom that the Jewish people began to practice during the Geonic period, more than a thousand years ago * By the end of the Rishonim period, the custom was established in Sephardic communities to recite Selichot throughout the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance * In Ashkenaz, the custom is to start reciting Selichot on the Saturday night before Rosh Hashanah.

Redeeming captives

Redeeming captives is a great mitzvah, and it takes precedence in importance over all other types of charity, but not over every other consideration. It is forbidden to pay an exorbitant price for redeeming captives.

The Divine Spark in other religions

A rung above idolatrous religions are Christianity and Islam, which are closer to the light of God. They, too, have a major deficiency, in that they do not recognize the role of Israel in revealing God’s Word to the world, and instead claim to replace it.

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Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook on other religions

The vision is for each religion to purify itself of all its flaws and reveal its unique path in serving God, and adding blessing to the world.

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Healing, Reiki and other Eastern curative procedures

According to the permitting view, there is no idolatrous aspect to these healing methods and in practice, the prevailing view is that there is no prohibition against ‘Healing’ and ‘Reiki.’

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'Do not forsake My Torah'

The destruction of the Land occurred not only because they did not listen to God’s voice and did not fulfill the commandments, but also because they forsook the Torah.

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Settling the Land in practice

Blessed are the Jews who chose to immigrate to the Land of Israel, settle it, and fight for the establishment and defense of the state.

Laws of the Three Weeks

These days are days of mourning over the destruction of the Temple and there are laws and customs for emphasizing that mourning.

Another look at parashat Balak: The prohibition against sorcery

There are people who have special spiritual abilities to see and sense beyond the norm.

Amulets according to Jewish law

In ancient times, all doctors believed that amulets could aid in healing, The Sages of Israel did not dispute this, and permitted their use, provided they did not contain anything forbidden, As for protection, what about soldiers today?

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Supporting Rabbis through Trumot and Maasrot

The commandment of giving tithes and offerings from agricultural produce is intended to maintain the spiritual-religious dimension in the People of Israel through the priests and Levites, whose role is to engage in Torah study and education.

The wisdom of Face and Palm reading

The wisdom of physiognomy (face reading) is based on the understanding that there is a correspondence between the soul and the body.

Return to the Fundamentals

The current war compels us to return to the fundamental position that the Land of Israel was given to the People of Israel by God. We must clarify to the world that this is not merely a conflict between neighbors, but Islam’s war against the People of Israel, and its Torah .

Astrology and Jewish Law

For thousands of years, the wisdom of astronomy and the wisdom of astrology were intertwined, and the sages of the nations of the world believed in both.

In the Path of the Great Kohanim Pinchas and Matityahu

In the merit of Ilan Cohen’s heroic self-sacrifice, may his memory be a blessing, we will defeat our enemies

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The parameters of the mitzvah of “Lo Takifu”

The mitzvah of “Lo Takifu” (not rounding the hairline) distinguishes the Jewish people through their hair, just as the mitzvah of circumcision distinguishes them through their bodies.

Rabbi Hayim David HaLevi – 26 Years since his passing

Rabbi Hayim David (1924-1988) supported the Zionist movement that dealt with the mitzvah of settling the Land and the mitzvah of fighting for the defense of the People and the Land.

Prisoner exchanges

If the families of the captives and their supporters had refrained from demonstrations and kept away from the media, the IDF would have already been more successful in breaking the enemy’s spirit.

The Four Cups of Freedom and the Joy of Redemption

Our Sages instituted the drinking of four cups of wine on the Seder night, so that joy and celebration would accompany all the stages of the Seder.

Laws of preparing for Pesach

Cosmetics, toothpaste, Passover wafers and cookies, eating quinoa - all the things you need to know for the holiday.

Passover Laws and Customs

Laws about 'matza ashira' and medicines on Passover

Can one eat 'matza ashira,' matza with added ingredients such as fruit juice, on Passover? Can one take his usual medications?

Passover Laws and Customs

Getting your kitchen ready for Pesach

There is a huge difference between cleaning the house for Pesach and cleaning the kitchen for Pesach. Read on.

The tribe of Levi – public servants

The Levites served in policing roles against criminals and deserting soldiers, and when necessary, they also joined the most elite combat units in the war itself.

The Mitzvah to eradicate Amalek in our generation

In our generation, when there is no known Amalek, we must uphold the root of the mitzvah, which is to eradicate evil and wage uncompromising war, even when our merciful nature seeks peace

In Memory of Reb Tuvia Katz z”l

As a youth in Argentina, my father-in-law Reb Tuvia Katz z”l stood out because of his leadership qualities. Upon immigrating to Israel, he drew dozens of young people in his wake.

“Jewish Tradition” – A monumental new book

“Jewish Tradition” is for everyone. For secular Jews, new baalei tshuva, and would-be converts, the book is like a mini encyclopedia. For others, it is enlightening because it explains Torat Eretz Yisrael.

Returning to our roots and growing

The harm done to the Jewish identity of the state, and to the value of settling the Land, played a part in the terrible crisis we find ourselves in. Only a return to our Jewish and national values, will get us back to growth.

The importance of unity

Thanks to their unity, the People of Israel were able to receive the Torah.

Be strong, and we will be strengthened

Our soldiers who died sanctifying God’s name merit elevation to the level of holiness of the entire Jewish people, and we will make every effort to be worthy of their sacrifice, and continue in their path.

The path to victory – complete Jewish unity

Even in times of spiritual hardship, when the Jewish people unite as one, God helps us defeat our enemies.

Hope and Joy in times of war

The most reasonable solution for Gaza is encouraging the emigration of the residents. There is room for joy during this time, as long as we continue to remember our heroic soldiers, the fallen and kidnapped.

Having children after the horrific massacre

We must pray that we understand our role in a better world, and that families will bring many children into the world.

Is it permissible to protest against Heaven?

Martyrs' families may ask why their beloved was killed, but the nation as a whole cannot complain about the events of Simchat Torah

The Holy Ones and their families

​​​​​​​Anyone killed defending the nation and Land is holy. Soldiers who fell to build Zion and Jerusalem are themselves the consolation

Hanukkah lessons for our time

In order for our victory over our enemies to be complete, we need a detailed practical path for its realization

Hanukkah candle lighting remains for generations

In the miracle of the oil flask, the eternal virtue of the Torah was revealed.

The commandment to serve in the army – saving Jewish lives

The commandment to conquer and defend the land overrides the preservation of individual lives.