יום שני, ג׳ תשרי תשפ״זMonday, September 14, 2026
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"Thank you very much for the recommendations," Mr. Weiner replied. "I have to speak to a rabbi, though, about whether I can take the jobs."
Should a Jew be concerned about paranormal phenomena such as dybbuks and gilgulim?
In an office setting, therefore, the question of whether a worker may take food home depends on local common practice.
Temple Management 101 'The Rest Were Given To The Craftsmen' (Kerisos 6a)
The Sons Stirred Within Her ‘The Fetus Is a Limb of Its Mother’ (Temurah 30b)
Accordingly, the obligation to give maaser kesafim may be fulfilled not only through money, but also through goods and services.
Should a frum Jew take special pride in famous people who were Jewish but not frum and whose achievements have no evident connection to Judaism (e.g., Walter Rathenau, Richard Feynman, Danny Kaye, Bobby Fischer, Milton Friedman, Jascha Heifetz…)?
The Contradiction That Yielded 50 Explanations 'He Says to His Maidservant: You Are Free' (Temura 25b)
"How much is the whole horse worth?" Feivel asked. "Go sell it and I'll pay you the difference to buy a new horse."
Was Shmuel Not The Greatest? ‘3,000 Halachos Were Forgotten’ (Temurah 16a)
A truly poor person can receive a large amount of charity at once, even beyond his needs, replied Rabbi Dayan.
Before bathing, one must honestly assess whether or not it is needed for hygienic purposes. Failure to do so displays insensitivity to mourning the Beit HaMikdash and our nation's exile.
Should a frum Jew care if an animal species is endangered or goes extinct?
Permission Granted? ‘Lo Yachlifenu B’Shel Acheirim…’ (Temurah 9a)
The Gemara [Bava Metzia 76a] states that if someone instructed an employee to work in his neighbor's property, the employer is liable to pay the person’s salary.
Unsaying Words 'He Uttered Hashem’s Name In Vain' (Temurah 3b)
I figured you were giving me a grace on the loan. Of course I will start paying you in monthly $1,000 installments starting from this month.
Is it necessary to say “Baruch Hashem” or “Thank G-d” every time someone asks you how you are?
If Mr. Miller had admitted that he lent money only once, clearly one of the witnesses would be lying and his testimony would be worthless.
Too Little, Too Late? 'And Break Down the Door and Enter…' (Arachin 31b)
People are particular about whom they wish to live with, so the remaining partner can claim he agreed to live with the initial partner but not with this new person – whether due to the person’s status or character.
Pleading The Fifth ‘Minors Are Not Obligated To Fulfill Mitzvos’ (Arachin 22a)
Is there anything inherently wrong with a person spending vast sums of money on a wedding or bar mitzvah if he’s rich and can easily afford it?
When A Dead Ewe Gave Birth To A Live Lamb 'We Do Not Wait for Her to Give Birth' (Arachin 7a)
Furthermore, if the lender explicitly stipulated that the payment must be made with money, the stipulation is binding.
"Well, one of you owes me a new bat,” Avi said. “You, Aharon, broke it, but Eli had no right to lend it to you.”
A Burning Question? 'It’s Not Evil Speech…' (Arachin 15b)
In an ideal Torah society, should a yeshiva dinner have separate or mixed seating?
Lulav Or Shofar On Shabbos 'It Refers To Tithing In Our Days' (Bechoros 61a)
A borrower generally would not have the audacity to falsely claim that he repaid a loan, especially since the creditor did him a favor by lending him money.
Lingua Franca ‘Only From Jericho And Below’ (Bechoros 55a)
He may not charge for retrieving it since doing so is required as part of hashavas aveidah, but he may ask for partial compensation for any work he didn’t get to do as a result.
The Steipler used to eat milchigs on Shavuot night and fleishigs during the day.
An Eventual Resolution 'May The Likes Of You Increase Manifold In Israel' (Bechoros 45b)
When making early Shabbat, one davens Maariv before “evening,” following the opinion of R. Yehudah. Seemingly, then, one must daven Mincha on Friday before plag.
What Is A Sheep? ‘If It…Does Not Possess Three Vertebrae’ (Bechoros 40b)
Chazal relied on the presumption that the true owner will more likely succeed; he will make a stronger effort to secure the item or demonstrate his ownership.
Is it proper to plan a vacation in a location that doesn't have a daily minyan?
R. Asher Weiss permits prisoners to wear ankle bracelets, which record their movements on Shabbos.
Beware, Big Brother! 'He Isn't Suspected…' (Bechoros 35)
When the boys retrieved the knapsack an hour later, they saw that the bags of marbles had burst.
Rabbi Eliyahu Schlesinger argues vehemently that only music that leads to rikkudim umecholos is prohibited; music, however, that is spiritually uplifting and soothing to one's soul is permitted.
"Indeed, according to one opinion in the Gemara, if the agent did not have a choice not to obey, the sender is liable since the rationale does not apply," replied Rabbi Dayan.
Not Necessarily Good For The Goose – Or The Gander ‘Plucking the Wool Is Permitted’ (Bechoros 25a)
If a Jew wins the lottery, should he continue working? Or should he quit his job and study Torah all day?
Indeed, there are several reasons that a ketubah should not be enforced in New York – or anywhere in America – beyond those which the court mentioned.
Modern poskim differ on whether and what type of Hallel should be recited on days of national celebration for recent miracles such as Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day).
Precisely Timed ‘It Is Impossible To Ascertain Exactly’ (Bechoros 17b-18a)
Rare And Difficult 'If He Has No Lamb…' (Bechoros 11a)
Should frum men get married at age 18 as per Chazal's advice (especially since Chazal's advice was apparently motivated by a desire that men retain their moral purity, which is arguably at greater risk today than it was 2,000 years ago)?
But I've babysat on Shabbos before, said Rivki. After Shabbos, the family gave me money and you didn't stop me from accepting it.
Sextuplets: No Other Solution 'A Levite Exempted An Israelite…' (Bechoros 4a)
In some cases, non-Jews joined synagogues to reap the alcoholic benefits of Judaism under Prohibition!
Upon checking into the matter, he discovered that years ago a Jew had complained that the farmer had stolen the land from him.
Remember The Sabbath Day 'Both in the Times of the Temple and After' (Chullin 138)
According to the rules of halacha, it is not necessary to check for tiny shratzim as long as one cannot see them, and therefore cauliflower and broccoli may be eaten.
Is It Proper...? - Is It Important to Wear a Black Hat From a Hashkafic Perspective?
Rashi, the Rif, and some Ge’onim go even further than the Rambam in their attitude towards mevushal wine; they maintain that it is not even full-fledged wine, and one should make a shehakol – not a hagafen – before drinking it.
A Dutch Treat 'Money That Has No Claimants’ (Chullin 131b-132a)
It should be emphasized that if an Ashkenazi is in a shul on Seder night that recites Hallel, it is imperative that he or she not show any disrespect to the local custom.
I was busy and forgot about it, said Shmuel. In any case, the bike wasn't stolen. It was smashed due to circumstances beyond my control. I had no idea the branch was weak.
Once a person makes something hefker, he cannot take back his declaration, replied Rabbi Dayan.
A Dilemma In Frankfurt 'All That Are Metam’ei B'ohel…' (Chullin 124b)
Is it appropriate for young men and women from more sheltered backgrounds to attend singles events if they haven’t met their bashert after three or four years of dating?
The Meat Is Kosher, Treif, Kosher, Treif… ‘If One Clotted Blood’ (Chullin 120a)
On the way home, Chaim and two other friends were mugged and their wallets were stolen.
The Orchos Chayim... writes that full inebriation is certainly prohibited, "and there is no greater sin, as it leads to sexual impropriety, bloodshed, and other sins."
Many authorities rule that it is preferable to continue the meal after nightfall as a way of acknowledging the semi-festive character of the next day, i.e., Shushan Purim.
What About The Pot? ‘Fish That Was Served On A [Meat] Plate…’ (Chullin 111b)
"Yes," Mr. Pincus said. "But since the loan document is invalid, I shouldn't have to pay the loan."
It is mentioned in the Talmud... that someone who eats peeled garlic, onions, and eggs kept overnight "forfeits his life, and his blood is upon his own head."
Is The Music at Frum Weddings Too Loud?
The following morning, after leining, the shul rabbi delivered an enthusiastic sermon, in which he praised the bar mitzvah boy based on insights from the parsha.
Caring For The Sick On Yom Kippur ‘His Gullet Has Derived Enjoyment…’ (Chullin 103b)
The default assumption is that the other children allow this expense. However, they can protest, and are entitled to prohibit him from dressing henceforth at their expense.
Stricter Than A Prohibition ‘We Rely on a Gentile…’ (Chullin 97a)
Is It Proper…? – Is There Anything Wrong With a Frum Jewish Man Looking Super Stylish?
There is another course of action to consider: not lighting Shabbat candles at all! Before you are scandalized by my suggestion, allow me to explain.
Feather-Plucking 101 'The Blood Will Easily Flow Out' (Chullin 93b)
We're partners in the business, and we owed $1,000 to your uncle. If I paid your part, I'm entitled to reimbursement from you also!
Bullish Or Not? 'Where One A Cow And [The Other] Its Calf…' (Chullin 82)
"A saw belongs to a category of muktzah called kli shem'lachto l'issur, a utensil whose primary purpose is prohibited," replied Rabbi Dayan.
What, then, happens when the rabbinic chinuch obligation contradicts the biblical obligation as described in the verses cited by the Ramban?
Is it appropriate for a Jew in America to have an English first name? If yes, is it appropriate for him or her to use this English name in daily life?
A person cannot rent out a property that is not his!
Kosher 'Oxymoron' 'The Divine Law Permits It' (Chullin 75)
Later that evening, Mr. Klein thought he might want to give his old dining room set to someone and quickly called Mr. Gross. "Please don't ruin the set," he said. "I might give it to someone."
Most poskim disagree with Rav Moshe, including R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach. He argues that one may touch, move, and even play with snow on Shabbos.
Is it appropriate for a Jew to own a (non-violent) pet dog?
Genetically-Engineered Simanim ‘A Bird With One Siman’ (Chullin 62a)
I'm ashamed to admit," Dov said when he finally found himself before the rabbi, "but I stole money from someone and would now like to return the amount without having to face him. Is that possible?"
Eternal And Immutable ‘Only Those Enumerated By The Sages’ (Chullin 54a)
"But I need it now," Mr. Schwartz replied. "It's my shovel. I'm happy to lend it, but not when I need it!"
Many people say that a particular behavior is “not Shabbosdig” or “not ehrlich” or “pas nisht.” How does one define these (and similar) terms? Are they purely subjective in nature? Or is there some sort of objective definition?
A Halachic Referral ‘It [the Lung] Erupted in Blisters’ (Chullin 48a)
"That's all?" asked Chaim. "A car service to the airport costs about $60. The cheapest a person can get is $40."
There is no denying that preferring sheitels is incongruous with the fact that frum Jews nowadays are much more likely to avoid leniencies and workarounds than they once were.
Rabbi Fishel Jacobs of Kfar Chabad in Israel believes the Jewish world is experiencing a “family purity revolution.” He should know. Since 1998, Rabbi Jacobs has published five books on the laws of family purity. Today, he serves as a halachic advisor to four different websites, all designed to help women keep the mitzvah more […]
By Tzvi Fishman
How can a Jew in a hotel, or someone visiting a patient in a hospital, know if the Shabbat elevator is kosher?
September 11, 2026 
