General Knowledge
1. Why do we say Selichos in the wee hours of the morning?
Because at this time, Hashem "soars" through this lowest world (after "soaring" through loftier worlds during earlier hours). This is therefore an auspicious time.
2. What did Rabi Elazar ben Durdaya teach us, for which reason he is called “Rabi”?
He taught us that teshuva atones. And it was about this that Rebi said: “Some acquire their world [to come] in one moment.”
3. Why do we not bless the new month of Tishrei on the Shabbos before it, as we usually do on Shabbos Mevorchim?
Because the passuk states: “[Blow the shofar at the new moon], at the covered time, for our festival day.” Meaning that the festival of Rosh Hashana (“at the new moon”) must be hidden (and not proclaimed out loud, such as through blessing the new moon).
4. What is immersing in the mikvah on erev Shabbos and Shabbos morning a segula for?
It is a segula to daven properly, with contemplation about Hashem’s greatness, and an awakening of a feeling of cleaving to Hashem.
5. Which Rebbe would learn 3 chapters of Tanach immediately after davening?
The Rebbe Rashab.
6. Which city was the Rambam born in?
Cordoba, Spain.
7. How long did it take the Rambam to write his work, Mishna Torah?
10 years.
8. Which types of halachos are included in the Rambam’s work, but not in Shulchan Aruch?
Halachos which do not apply when we do not have the Beis Hamikdash.
9. Why do we say the prayer, “Berich Shemei,” when we open the Aron Kodesh?
It is written in the Zohar that when we open the Aron Kodesh, the Gates of Heaven are open, and it is therefore an auspicious time to make special requests of Hashem, which is the content of “Berich Shemei.”
10. How many people were part of the “Anshei Kneses Hagedola”?
The “Anshei Kneses Hagedola” included 120 people. (There were never more than 71 at once, but there were 120 people who were part of it, in total, during the time that it existed.)
