Question My wife and I have a million-pound mortgage from Metro Bank where an irreligious Jew recently became the majority shareholder. The local rabbis publicized that one may no longer deal with them. I will suffer a major loss if I need to repay the mortgage immediately because interest rates rose significantly in the […]
Author Archives: Admin
Early Shabbos – Part III
What is Kabbolas Shabbos, and when does it go in effect? What is the nature of the mitzva of Tosefes Shabbos, and what is the reason for it? Does the date change by accepting Tosefes Shabbos? Can Shabbos candles be lit before Plag? How is a woman’s candle-lighting different from a man’s? What condition […]
Avoiding Arguments
The newly released book “Remarkable Insights about Death and the Afterlife” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNNDCMNC or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This extensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and many more, providing […]
Hindsight
The newly released book “Remarkable Insights about Death and the Afterlife” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNNDCMNC or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This extensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and many more, providing […]
Vayakheil-Hit a Parked car to Avoid a Head-on Collision
Question I was driving in my lane when all of a sudden, a car who wanted to pass a truck on the road but didn’t look carefully, came speeding at me. In order to avoid a head-on collision and possible loss of life, I quickly turned the steering wheel and the speeding car only […]
Early Shabbos Ramifications
What are the consequences of an Early Shabbos minyan? When are those who aren’t in shul obligated to begin observing Shabbos? What happens when there are two minyanim in a city? What level of obligation does a private minyan create? What’s the halacha for guests in a small village with only one shul that […]
Tetzave-Lost Rings at the Kosel Hama’aravi
Question I recently went to daven at the Kosel. Since I wanted to also daven mincha, I went over to one of the sinks to wash for mincha. Before washing I took off the three gold rings I was wearing and placed them on the sink. In the excitement of being able to daven at […]
Knock Before You Enter
Why does the Kohen Gadol have bells hanging on his clothing? What lesson do they intend to teach us? Why should one knock on a door before entering? Can the same effect be achieved through other means? When is knocking forbidden? Is it permitted to hate ill-mannered people? What is the polite way to […]
Incredible Care
The newly released book “Remarkable Insights about Death and the Afterlife” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNNDCMNC or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This extensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and many more, providing […]
Terumo-A Deliveryman Accidentally Ruined a Fruit Arrangement
Question I sell fruit platters and a customer ordered a two-hundred-dollar fruit platter to be delivered to his parents for Shabbos. I charged the customer’s credit card and contacted a deliveryman and paid him thirty dollars out of my pocket for the delivery. However, when the deliveryman got to the building where the customer’s […]
Mitzvos – Deliberate or Habitual
Is making mitzvos our habit something to strive for? What is “mitzvas anashim melumada” – performing mitzvos by rote? Is it – good or bad? Why do we pray every morning to be “accustomed to performing Your mitzvos”? How are good habits formed? Where does free will play out? Is a convicted felon held […]
Extinction of Distinction
The newly released book “Remarkable Insights about Death and the Afterlife” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNNDCMNC or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This extensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and many more, providing […]
Mishpatim-Store Issued a Certificate but Closed Down
Question My wife bought a dress but after a few days she decided that she doesn’t really like the dress. There was nothing defective and the time that one is entitled to return merchandise already passed. Therefore, the store was under no obligation to take back the dress but my wife figured she’ll try […]
Actions or Heart: Which Ranks Higher
Are pure, lofty intentions more important than actually doing the mitzva? Is performing a mitzva wholeheartedly better than doing it properly? Does doing mitzvos on autopilot have any value? Are thoughts, meditation, and concentration alone worth anything? Is the rule “Rachmana leba ba’ei” – “Hashem wants the heart” always true? Does being “religious at […]
A Unified Division
The newly released book “Remarkable Insights about Death and the Afterlife” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNNDCMNC or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This extensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and many more, providing […]
Yisro-Hired to Perform a Job which Became Unnecessary Due to Unforeseen Events
Question I am an accountant and I was asked by a client who had a small business to arrange her books and prepare all the documents that are needed in order to file a tax return, and also to file her tax return. I quoted her a price for the entire job and she […]
Pikuach Nefesh — Asking Questions
Last week’s article discussed life-threatening scenarios called Pikuach Nefesh, when seeking a rabbi’s approval to transgress a prohibition is inappropriate because the rabbi should have taught his congregants the laws. This week we will focus on the other side of the coin – when asking questions is a must. What was The Tractor War? […]
Gift of a Baby
The newly released book “Remarkable Insights about Death and the Afterlife” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNNDCMNC or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This extensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and many more, providing […]
Beshalach-A Real Estate Agent’s Predicament
Question I work as a real estate agent. Half a year ago, I was approached by someone who was interested in selling his house and also by another person interested in buying in that neighborhood. I tried to negotiate a sale and made a lot of progress but the negotiations broke down because the […]
Calling for Help on Shabbos
Can the police be called to stop a Shabbos break-in? Can the fire department be called for a fire? Can security providers follow regular security protocol activities on Shabbos? Which dangers made any fire in the Middle Ages a direct and immediate danger, warranting transgressing Shabbos prohibitions to extinguish it? Are these permits still […]
Real Reliance
The newly released book “Remarkable Insights about Death and the Afterlife” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNNDCMNC or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This extensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and many more, providing […]
Bo-Neighbor Paid Part of his Real Estate Tax by Mistake
Question The municipal authorities in Israel, where we live, charge real estate tax (called arnona) based on their measurements of the size of each property. Due to their error, they charged my neighbor and not me tax on part of my property. They recently realized their mistake and started sending correct bills. However, when […]
The Hebrew Calendar
What is the Hebrew calendar? How is it calculated? How is the Hebrew calendar different from the Gregorian or Muslim calendar? Why is a Muslim actually younger than he states he is? Why is a Gregorian month pointless? How is a year measured? When was the observation-based calendar exchanged for a mathematically computed one? […]
Tu B’shevat
The newly released book “Remarkable Insights about Death and the Afterlife” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNNDCMNC or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This extensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and many more, providing […]
Shemos-Borrower is Fined for Late Payment of a Loan
Question I manage the funds of a yeshiva and am responsible for a large payroll every Rosh Chodesh. In order to avoid last-minute pressure and paying late I try to maintain a balance in the bank that will cover me for a few months in advance. My friend, who is a businessman and also […]
Bring the Geula
Are we permitted to take steps to shorten the galus? Can the Jewish people forcefully reclaim the Land of Israel? Are Jews permitted to rebel against the nations? What are the Three Oaths? Are they still binding nowadays? Can we pray to end the galus? What steps are forbidden to take in attempt to […]
Special Days
The newly released book “Remarkable Insights about Death and the Afterlife” is now available (as a paperback, hardcover and digitized version) for purchase and delivery on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNNDCMNC or by sending an email to [email protected]. Alternatively, you can call 054 849 5217 or 917 732 2371. This extensive and thought-provoking book addresses these questions and many more, providing […]
The Geula – Waiting or Making
Are we permitted to take actions to bring the geula closer? Why is the Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones read on Pesach? Why were the Jews so fearful of following Moshe Rabbenu out of Egypt, and why did they refuse to believe that the time for their redemption had come? What finally […]
Shemos-Borrower is Fined for Late Payment of a Loan
Question I manage the funds of a yeshiva and am responsible for a large payroll every Rosh Chodesh. In order to avoid last-minute pressure and paying late I try to maintain a balance in the bank that will cover me for a few months in advance. My friend, who is a businessman and also […]
Spiritual Satiation
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Stepchildren In Halacha
How does halacha define stepchildren? Are they considered full children, half children, and for what purpose? What kind of relationship does the stepparent have vis-à-vis his stepchild? If a will bequeaths assets to “my son Avraham” who is a stepchild, is the will invalid? Can one use his stepfather’s name to be called up […]
Vayechi-Neighbors Rabbits Mated-Who Owns the Newborns
Question I own a female rabbit and my neighbor owns a male rabbit. The two rabbits are together frequently. When my rabbit gave birth to a litter of rabbits, my neighbor claimed that he deserves some of the newborn rabbits since his rabbit impregnated my rabbit. Is he correct? Answer Even though the particular […]
A Dual World
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Vayigash-Grandparents Gave a Large Amount for Chanuka Gelt
Question-Baruch Hashem we have five children between the ages of two and eleven. My parents gave me five thousand dollars and told me it is Chanuka gelt for our children. My question is whether the money belongs to my children or to me and if it belongs to me are there any restrictions on […]
High Hopes
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Miketz-Got Stuck in the Elevator in the Middle of the Night
Question I recently got stuck in our condominium’s elevator in the middle of the night. I informed the building representative who is responsible for maintenance of the common property and he immediately called the repairman who the building normally uses to come and release me from the elevator. The repairman said that if the […]
Shaming in Halacha – Practical Application
Last week’s article focused on the theoretical obligation to do everything possible to save another person from shame. This week we will focus on the practical applications of this concept. When is saving another person from shame compulsory, and at what price? Can a shoplifter be yelled at if he’ll be ashamed to be […]
Money Matters
Dilemmas in Practical Monetary Halachah
Moving Music
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Vayeishev-Rented a House but does not need it because of Changed Circumstances
Question I received approval from the local authorities to add another floor onto my apartment. I hired a contractor to do the work which was due to start after Succos and take three months. Since it is very difficult to live in an apartment while construction is taking place, I rented an apartment in […]
Humiliation in Halacha
This week’s article discusses the prohibition of humiliating others, and how far one must go in order to save another from shame. Why did Tamar prefer to be burned alive rather than shame her father-in-law? Is this the actual halacha? Can shaming someone be worse than killing him? Is the prohibition of shaming only in […]
Time To Dream
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Vayishlach-Used a Borrowed Car to Thwart Terrorists on Simchas Torah and the Car Sustained Damage
Question I am an army reservist and I borrowed a car from a friend before Simchas Torah. When I heard what was going on Simchas Torah morning, I quickly ran home, changed into my army uniform and protective clothing and drove off to Gaza. When I arrived, I engaged in a shootout with the […]
Cultures Collide: Yaakov and Eisav
What’s the essential difference between Yaakov and Eisav? Why did Yaakov turn down Eisav’s brotherly offer to be his neighbor? What constitutes moshav leitzim? When is reading literature a mitzva, and when is it not? Is chess a recommended leisure activity? What about dice or card games? Is game hunting a permitted sport? And […]
Towering Tehillim
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Vayetsei-Father Requested to be Buried in Eretz Yisroel and one son Refuses to Comply-Part 2
Question We are two brothers and we just finished the shloshim for our father. My older brother, the bechor, did not get along with our father and even took him to a din Torah about a purported loan that he extended to our father but he had no proof to justify his claim and […]
Leitzanus – Part II Torah Sanctioned Entertainment
Last week’s article condemned leitznus – the destructive nature of wasting human resources, intellect and creativity to the world of recreation and entertainment. This week we will examine the flip side – when jokes, laughter and entertainment are positive, and even encouraged. When is leitzanus permitted? Is a medical clown a valid profession? What […]
A Royal Residue
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Toldos-Father Requested to be Buried in Eretz Yisroel and one son Refuses to Comply-Part 1
Question We are two brothers and we just finished the shloshim for our father. My older brother, the bechor, did not get along with our father and even took him to a din Torah about a purported loan that he extended to our father but he had no proof to support his claim and, […]
Fake News, Entertainment, and Recreation – The Torah View
What is considered leitzanus? How does the Torah view it? What is the halachic definition of leitzanus and what does it include? Is every joke considered leitznus? What is the punishment for leitzanus? How is fake news classified? What is the difference between Amalek and Yisro, since both were involved in paganism? How can […]