Repeating Tefillat HaDerech

Question: If a journey starts during the day and continues into the night, must one recite “tefillat ha-derech” (Wayfarers’ Prayer) again after nightfall? Answer: The Shulhan Arukh (Orah Haim 110,5) rules as follows: “It should be recited only once in a day, even if...

Priestly Blessings Everyday

Unquestionably, in temple times, there is a positive commandment for cohanim to bless the people on a daily basis. This was performed after the offering up of the incense. However, it is important to decipher the extent of the obligation today, in times when the...

Can You Make A Bracha On Tony Blair?

QUESTION: In a week of coalition agreements and political wrangling, the following question has been posed. We know that a special Bracha was instituted by our Sages in the event that one sees either a Jewish or Gentile King. What however is the Din concerning a...

Mezonot Rolls

The Gemara in Berachot 42a quotes Rav Yehuda, who holds that “pat haba`a bikisnin” requires the beracha of mezonot, and not that of “hamotzi”. The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 168,6) brings this as the halacha as well. As to what exactly...