R Ari Enkin

By: Rabbi Ari Enkin Although it might sound somewhat funny, making an effort to use only exclusively kosher soap for washing one’s body is not without merit.[1] From ancient times right to this very day, soap is frequently manufactured from animal fats and other non-kosher sources. Even the famous Ivory brand of shower soap which claims to be more than ...

By: Rabbi Ari Enkin The Birkat Hamazon consists of four blessings, each one having been added at different periods of history.[1] Following the conclusion of the fourth blessing, there are a series of requests that are customarily recited, each beginning with the word “Harachaman”, (“the Merciful One”). In fact, from this point onwards it is actually permitted to insert any ...

By: Rabbi Ari Enkin A number of halachot relating to conversion are learned from the book of Ruth which is one of the reasons it is read on Shavuot. The Talmud teaches that before Ruth’s conversion, Naomi told her: “We have rules as to where we can and cannot walk on Shabbat, rules regarding our dealings with the opposite sex, ...

By: Rabbi Ari Enkin The Shema is comprised of 245 words. There is a tradition, however, to ensure that the reading of the Shema totals 248, the number of limbs in a person’s body.[1] In order to accomplish this, the one leading the services repeats the last three words of the Shema, “Hashem Elokeichem Emet”, thereby bringing the total number ...

By: Rabbi Ari Enkin Many people have the custom to recite a special declaration of intent prior to performing many mitzvot or reciting certain prayers. This kabalistic formula is known as the l’shem yichud, its name taken from the opening words of the declaration. This formula expresses one’s intention to fulfill a mitzva for the sole sake of serving God ...

By: Rabbi Ari Enkin Continued from here: link/ Some authorities frown on making “Early Shabbat” due to the possibility that some women might mistakenly light the Shabbat candles before the earliest permissible time. They argue that many women do not always know what time plag hamincha is. So too, women may not understand the severity of lighting Shabbat candles before ...

By: Rabbi Ari Enkin (Continued from here: here) Another problem with making “Early Shabbat” is that one forfeits the preferred time for reciting Ma’ariv – which is after nightfall.[1] In fact, it is so important to recite Ma’ariv at the proper time that some authorities rule that it is preferable to recite Ma’ariv alone after nightfall than to do so ...

By: Rabbi Ari Enkin This post is part of a series on the problematic halachic issues that must be dealt with when making “Early Shabbat”. These posts are not intended to comment on or criticize those who make “Early Shabbat”. Many families choose to begin Shabbat early in the summer months. This is usually done in order to allow for the Shabbat ...

By: Rabbi Ari Enkin The most prominent rabbinical mitzva of the Seder night is the requirement to drink four cups of wine at the specifically designated points in the Haggada.[1] These four cups of wine represent the four different expressions used by the Torah to illustrate the redemption of the Jewish people.[2] Another interpretation has it that the four cups ...

 By: Rabbi Ari Enkin   The Torah[1] requires one to be “besimcha”, to be happy, on Yom Tov and to ensure that the members of one’s household are in a joyous mood, as well.[2] In order to achieve this it is recommended that one purchase jewelry or clothes for one’s wife and candies for one’s children.[3] It is especially ...