Parshas Metzorah – non-Proficiency
Maran Rav Chaim zatzal on Parshas Metzorah Rav Yisrael Lifschitz (1782-1860), author of the Tiferes Yisroel commentary on the Mishna, posed the question as to why there is no longer Tumas N…
Orchot Yosher
Articles by Rabbi Yair Hoffman
Articles and Torah insights from the Orchot Yosher archive.
What Should a Bar Mitzvah Boy Take On?
Rav Chaim zatzal on “What Kabalah Should a Bar Mitzvah Bochur Take Upon Himself?” Often, a Bar Mitzvah bochur would inquire of Maran zatzal what kaballah he should take upon himself in ligh…
Maran Rav Chaim zt”l on The Bracha on Trees in Nissan
Ideally, the bracha on trees should be recited in Nissan. He should shy away from seeing fruit trees during Adar. TWO TREES The minhag is to try to be makpid to say the bracha on two trees…
Parshas Tazria: Sandek and Wealth
Isha ki sazria v’yaldah zachar.. The Ramah writes (YD 265:11) that the Sandek is equated to the Kohain who offers the incense in the Temple, and it is a segulah for becoming wealthy. [The p…
Window Open or Closed? Rav Chaim zatzal’s Opinion
When the weather gets cold, there are often disputes as to whether to keep the window open or closed. And often, halacha gets quoted. What follows is the view of Rav Chaim zatzal. THE MITZV…
The Book Sales That Happen in Shuls in Eretz Yisroel
There is a new type of Seforim-selling that has been happening in Shuls throughout Eretz Yisroel. The books are left in boxes outside of shul. The purchaser is instructed to leave the money…
Bikkur Cholim – Understanding the Obligation
WHAT IS OUR OBLIGATION OF BIKKUR CHOLIM? There appears to be three major halachic approaches to the important Mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim, and among them Maran Rav Chaim Kanievsky zatzal’s vie…
Chometz Found Over Pesach
The Gemorah in Psachim 111b tells us that one who hangs his bread up in the air – it is considered kasheh l’anius, it causes one to become poor. How then does the Shulchan Aruch (OC 436:1)…
Rav Chaim zt”l’s Last Answers to Shidduch Questions
A woman who teaches in a Beis Yaakov recently got engaged. Her husband wishes to move to Lakewood from New York. She had signed a contract that she would teach throughout the year. Is she p…
Passing Inappropriately Dressed People
Trips When there are Inappropriately Dressed People. Even HaEzer What are the parameters of “alternative routes” regarding inappropriately dressed people? There is a Tosfos in in Avodah Zar…
Giving Tzedakah With a Smile
In Yore De’ah 249:3, the Mechaber cites the halacha that one must give tzedakah, charity, with a smile, with joy and good-heartedly. When there is a poor person, one should empathize with h…
9 Things to Know About Maariv from Maran Rav Chaim zt”l
By Rabbi Yair Hoffman The following are 9 things to know about Maariv from Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l. The minhag is to recite, “vehu rachum” before maariv. In some places they they recite sh…