"What do you mean?" asked the secretary. "We already issued a ruling and closed the case."
God and the divine origin of His Torah are facts even though we do not fully comprehend them.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Honor Of Reading The Kesubah ‘Witnesses Sign Only After Reading…’ (Kesubos 109a)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Twice Promised “Such And Such [I Give My Son]…” (Kesubos 102b)
"A person who borrowed without a written loan document, even in the presence of witnesses, is believed with a heses – rabbinic – oath to say that he repaid,"
During the course of the year, though, political events in the Persian Gulf caused the cost of gasoline to rise. Prices climbed from $2.50 a gallon to $4.00.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Seller’s Remorse ‘He Sold Because He Ostensibly Needed The Funds’ (Ketubbot 97a)
"There is a diamond necklace that I wear on special occasions," Mrs. Miller told her husband. "It was recently appraised at $6,000. If need be, we can give that as collateral."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Debt Lives On ‘The Orphans’ Mitzvah To Repay Their Father’s Debts’ (Ketubot 91b)
In order to be free of the negative consequences of violating a shvu’ah or a neder, the shvu’ah or neder themselves must be annulled.
"I accept the ruling," said Mr. Broyer, "but would like to understand the reasoning."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Ramifications Of A Printers Error ‘The Note Holder’s Burden of Proof’ (Kesubos 83b)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Oh My, It’s Copper! ‘…And One Who Is A Coppersmith’ (Kethubboth 77a)
The omer sacrifice of loose barley flour was more fitting for animal consumption than human consumption and symbolizes the depths to which the Jewish slaves had sunk.
"The problem is that the sum total is listed is $17,000. However, when you add the sums mentioned, it is clear that the total of $17,000 is an error. Thus, Mr. Broyer owes me $18,000, not $17,000."
In most communities the rabbi will perform the eruv ceremony on Erev Yom Tov for all community members.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Heiress? ‘Determining The Daughter’s Status’ (Kesubos 68b-69a)
"The guiding principle regarding work terms is: hakol keminhag hamidina – everything in accordance with the common practice," replied Rabbi Dayan.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Woman Of Valor ‘Would That He Listen To Me…’ (Kesubos 63a)
"No, I can't take more than $65," protested Mrs. Fleisher. "You may not owe me more than that."
Are you kidding? You know the non‑Jew is not going to consume your chametz. He is not really paying you for it; neither is he taking possession of it.
"If I notify people, nobody will buy the matzos!" exclaimed Mr. Mandel. "Once the halachic advisory panel ruled leniently, why can't I sell the matzos regularly?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Her Children, Her Whim ‘Kesubas Bnin Dichrin’ (Kesubos 52b)
First, the punishment for eating chametz on Pesach is karet, premature death at the Hand of God.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Wedding Day Fast ‘He Accepts A Ring On Her Behalf’ (Kesubos 47a)
This process, which is the most powerful form of kashering, is known as libun.
"Do we have to donate again?" some people asked. "Is it fair that we should have to pay twice?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Confession ‘Payment For Humiliation And Depreciation’ (Ketubbot 41a)
Hapeh is based on the fact that the person who qualifies the statement is the sole source of the unqualified statement and the court has therefore no choice but to believe her.
Menachem jumped into the car and went to the bagel store. He forgot about the sefer he had left outside.
"This sounds like a question for Rabbi Dayan," said Mr. Cohen. He took out his cell phone and called Rabbi Dayan.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
An Auto Accident ‘All Agree That They Are Exempt’ (Kesubbos 35a)
Moreover, even if the perpetrator of the capital offense is never actually executed, such as when the fatal act was unintentional, Kam Lei applies and the judge cannot award damages.
Forever After? ‘Obligated for Challahh and Not Terumah’ (Kesubos 25a)
"We really appreciate your efforts in straightening the shul," said Mr. Reiss. "How is it going?"
By Guest Author
Havdalah.com will be streaming an inspiring/live/MUSICAL/global Havdalah(NOT to fulfill obligation)
"Halacha differentiates between giving a gift, forgoing a debt [mechila], and granting permission to take something," answered Rabbi Dayan.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Threat Of Death ‘Sign or Else…’ (Kesubos 19a)
One of the purposes of the ketubah money is to make it difficult for a husband to capriciously divorce his wife.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Tethered To The Mother ‘If She Is Fit, Her Daughter Is Also Fit’ (Kesubbos 13b)
"I don't accept this," said Mr. Zummer. "I want you to finish! You're not allowed to just stop in the middle!"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Joy And A Blessing ‘Rejoicing All Seven Days’ (Kesubbos 4b)
"That's what you're wondering?" laughed Mr. Rubin. "That ring is not mine at all. A relative gave me money to buy it for him."
My absolute preference is supporting Jewish farmers! I invest effort&expense in Otzar Bet Din goods
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
An Explosion In The Trench ‘With A Glowing Hot Knife’ (Yevamos 120b)
"How could you have expected my glasses to be there?" argued Mr. Weiss. "You shouldn't have to pay."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Life Before The Printed Word ‘A Revi’is Of Blood’ (Yevamos 114a-b)
"It means that the disqualification of relatives as witnesses is a procedural issue, not a question of honesty," explained Rabbi Dayan.
"The issue is not just logistical," replied Mr. Kahn. "I thought that halacha requires that the beginning of the adjudication and acceptance of testimony be during daytime." (C.M. 5:2; 28:24)
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Mitzvah Or Kinyan? ‘Both Shall Have Intention At The Same Time’ (Yevamos 102b)
By Rabbi Avraham Arieh Trugman
From G-d's pledging the land of Israel to the Patriarchs it's been the focus of Jewish consciousness
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Kohen Of Choice ‘A Deaf-Mute, A Mentally Challenged Person, A Minor…’ (Yevamos 99b)
A few days, Mrs. Feldman called back. "I would prefer a nice cake rather than the chocolate."
Pop culture teaches "thought creates reality;" Chassidut: “Divinity's a given,reality's a novelty”
Support ORA's(Org. for Resolution of Agunot) wonderful efforts towards solving the Agunah crisis
A more difficult situation arises when there is no evidence placing the missing husband at the site of the death.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
A Posted Picture Saves The Day ‘In Order To Avoid Igun…’ (Yevamos 88a)
He sent out a memo to the tenants: "In light of the recent burglaries, we've decided to implement additional security measures, including hiring a doorman for the weekends."
There is no difficulty today recognizing the “doubled and redoubled” darkness of the world.
The court cannot solely rely on death certificates issued by non-Jewish institutions without conducting its own investigation into the facts of the case.
"I'm still not sure we have a right to damage his property," said Mrs. Schloss. "Can you ask someone?"
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Reward And Punishment ‘Masser Rishon For The levi’im’ (Yevamos 86a)
It's fascinating how sources attain the status "traditional," or its equivalent level of kashrus.
A revolution is taking place between good and evil; light and darkness. Make the light activism!
Israel projects global material illumination not always the light of "morality" meant by the Navi
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Fetal Immersion? ‘The Fetus Is A Limb Of Its Mother’ (Yevamos 78a)
When the inability cannot be clearly attributed to either spouse, the halacha is the subject of debate among the Rishonim.
He stepped outside, and, to his dismay, the menorah was missing. It had been stolen.
"I do not owe anything," Mr. Feder replied. "However, if I must come – I will."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
No Fault Lines ‘…His Father And Mother Were In Prison…’ (Yevamos 71b)
The child of a Jewish mother from a union with a non-Jewish father is not a mamzer.
Mr. Weiss refused to listen and sued Mr. Cohen in civil court.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Daughters Are Mine, The Sons Are Mine ‘Grandchildren Are like Children’ (Yevamos 62b)
Once this took place, no Beit Din could annul its practice but for an entirely different reason. A minhag accepted by klal Yisrael becomes an obligation that must be practiced.
In the afternoon, he reached into his pocket to check for the money, but it was empty. "The $50 bill must have fallen out," Alex exclaimed. "It's got to be in one of the rooms I was just at."
Although the conversion ceremony involves more than circumcision and immersion, these are the two essential requirements, without which the conversion is ineffective.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Decree Of 1587 “Two Kabs Of Dinars Were Given…To King Yanai” (Yevamos 61a)
Maimonides himself walked and prayed in the permissible areas when he visited Eretz Yisrael in 1165
If a man dies childless, the Torah commands the deceased’s brother to marry his brother’s widow in a ceremony known as yibum, or to perform a special form of divorce ceremony with her known as chalitzah.
Dovid turned to the other people sitting at his table. "I'm revoking my hefker of the Chumash," he announced. "I want to keep it."
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Ever Vigilant ‘When Unworthy, One’s Number Of Years Is Reduced’ (Yevamos 50a)
What if, at the moment of the late brother’s death, the surviving brother cannot effect yibum because the widow is a niddah?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Where Frequency Matters ‘We Forbid Haircutting And Laundering’ (Yevamos 43b)
"That's what I thought, so I returned the money to Aharon," said Reuven. "But this morning, Shimon, who owes me $70, told me he left $70 for me under the table last week! Now I don't know whether the $70 was connected to the note, and was Aharon's for the purchase of sefarim, or was repayment to me from Shimon, unrelated to the note."
Defenders of “The Shidduch System” cite that Yitzchak loved Rivka after they got married, not before
The Torah lists twenty-one close relatives a man may not marry.
On Tuesday, Mr. Ross picked up the bris kit. While driving home, he was stopped by armed thugs. They forced him out of the car and drove off with the bris kit inside.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Informing The Decision ‘Found To Be With Child’ (Yevamos 35b)
It is a reprehensible approach for a proud Jew anywhere in the world to avoid using Israeli produce.
In the same way as a married woman is precluded from marrying another man without a get, so too is this widow prohibited from marrying another man without chalitzah.
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
The Ban Of The Communities ‘Impaired Chalitzah’ (Yevamos 26b)
“ ‘We're almost out of stamps,’ I said. ‘I'll be happy to run over to the post office and pick up a supply.’ ”
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
Law-Abiding Citizen ‘That Which Is Crooked Cannot Be Made Straight…’ (Yevamos 22a-b)
Noach felt a tug, and then heard a rip. His jacket had been caught on the nail, and the beautiful suit had a tear.
By Donny Fuchs
Myth #1: It is easy to be a B'nai Noach. It is extraordinarily hard to be a B'nai Noach.
Shimon started adjusting the branches on the roof. In doing so, a branch fell off the other side of the car and hit the side-view mirror, cracking it.
Should we sit in the sukkah on a day that may be the eighth day when we are not commanded to sit in the sukkah at all?
By Rabbi Yaakov Klass and Rabbi Gershon Tannenbaum
For Appearance’s Sake ‘Shammai Did Not Follow Their Own Ruling’ (Yevamos 13b 14a)
Some seforim on a nearby bookcase toppled over and knocked the esrog out of Lev's hand. It fell to the ground and a piece broke off.