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Author Archives: Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer

Devarim – Who’s Doing the Cooking?

The issue of bishul akum is a halachic topic that often crops up in connection with institutions such as old-age homes, hotels, and so on. This week’s article presents the background to the prohibition, the various heterim that are used in operating non-Jewish staff in kosher kitchens, and other commonly asked questions concerning the prohibition.

Bal Tosif (Adding to Torah Law): What is Wrong and When?

Toward the beginning of Parashas Va-Eschanan the Torah introduces the prohibition known as bal tosif, which forbids adding onto the Torah’s laws. Moshe warns the nation: “Do not add onto that which I command you” (Devarim 4:2), establishing the prohibition against innovating Torah law. Just as Moshe warns against detracting from the Torah (“bal tigra“), […]

Here to Stay! The Halachah of Leaving the Land of Israel

The prohibition against leaving the Land of Israel is well known and it is based upon several sources. However, the details of the prohibition, and the circumstances in which it applies (and in which it does not), are less well known. We take the opportunity this week, as we complete the Book of Bamidbar and […]

Parshas Pinchas – The Laws of Rodef : The Matter of Conjoined Twins

This week’s parashah is named after Pinchas, whose act of zealotry in killing Zimri and Cozbi lifted the Divine curse from upon the nation of Israel. The Gemara (Sanhedrin 82a) makes us aware of the tremendous selflessness exhibited by Pinchas in the performance of the daring deed. The halachah of “zealots punish him,” which Pinchas […]

Pinchas – Killing in Self-Defense

This week’s article continues to deal with the laws of warfare, this time focusing on the laws pertaining to engagement with the enemy. Among other issues, the article will discuss the obligation of suing for peace, the laws of making a siege against the enemy, and the taking of war spoils and booty. Though many a century has passed from the time the Torah laws of war were recorded, we will find that the relevant halachos are no less contemporary now than they were then.

Counting Non-Observant Jews Towards a Minyan

In Parshas Korach we find the word “eidah,” a congregation, which is also found in Parshas Shlach as applied to the meraglim (the spies). The Gemara derives from the number of spies that an eidah—a congregation—has at least ten Jewish men (Sanhedrin 74b; the Gemara refers to the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem, which is performed […]

Physical Blemishes of Kohanim Today

A question is often raised (it has occurred several times on the Dinonline site) about Kohanim who possess a physical blemish, and may thereby be disqualified from participating in nesias kapayim (duchaning)—the blessing of Kohanim to the nation. In this week’s article, we will discuss this matter and address the following questions: Are there blemishes, […]

Bechukotai – The Halachic Ban and its Laws

This week’s article discusses the issue of the cherem, the halachic ban, which was almost the exclusive mode of punishment available to Jewish communities for two millennia. What is a cherem? What were the crimes generally punishable by excommunication? Who has the authority to enact a ban, and how is it released? Are there practical implications for the modern day? These questions, among others, are discussed in this first of a two-part series on the subject.

Mind Your Words: Halachos of Respectful Speech

The Gemara (Yevamos 62b) teaches that Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 disciples died during the Omer period – between Pesach and Shavuos – because they did not show proper respect to one another. The fact that they died for the reason given during the build-up to receiving the Torah, is instructive. The loss of 24,000 disciples went […]

Preserving the World: The Prohibition of Bal Tashchis

One of the prominent customs of Lag Ba’Omer is lighting bonfires – a practice throughout Israel and even beyond (see Aruch Hashulchan 493:7). The reason for bonfires on Lag Ba’Omer is apparently because when Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai revealed the secrets of the Torah to us, he brought light to the world. Bonfires are therefore […]

Parashas Shemini – Halachos of Bugs in Food

In this week’s article we turn our attention to the prohibition of consuming bugs. Which insects are forbidden for consumption, and which are permitted? What are the special stringencies involved with eating bugs? What are the defining principles of the obligation to check for bugs? Must one search for bugs under the microscope or magnifying glass? These questions and more are addressed in this week’s article.

Are Women Obliged to Eat Matzah and Say the Haggaddah?

Question: Why are women required to eat matzah on the night of Seder and say the Haggaddah? Both are mitzvas oseh she’hazman grama… And if the anser is “af hain b’oseh ha’nas” that is only by a mitzvah d’rabbanan and not d’oraisa. What is the answer to this? (besides for the Kehillas Yaakov and what he says.) Answer: […]

Early Bedikas Chametz

This week’s article discusses the timely obligation of bedikas chametz. True, there are still two weeks to go till Pesach, but even now, somebody leaving home might be obligated to check his house for chametz. What are the halachic details of this obligation? Is a blessing recited before checking? Does selling one’s chametz exempt one from the obligation? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.

Bedikas Chametz: Principles and Halachos

This week’s article discusses the mitzvah of bedikas chametz. Does searching for chametz involve a Torah mitzvah, or a rabbinic enactment? Does one have to ensure that he possesses chametz before he begins searching for it? What is the halachah concerning checking books for crumbs? We will seek to answer these questions, and others, by elucidating the matter from its primary sources.

Pesach Guide – Kimcha de-Pischa: Providing Pesach Needs

With the beginning of the month of Nissan, we turn our attention to a timely halachah: the giving of kimcha de’pischa, or maos chittin. Many of us have heard the expression maos chittin, which describes the yearly charity appeal in advance of the Pessach festival. However, it is important to realize that maos chittin is […]

Testimony in Halachah: Obligations and Liabilities

One of the sacrifices detailed in Parashas Vayikrais known as the Korban Oleh Ve-Yored, which means an offering that “rises and falls.” This offering brought by a person, wishing to atone for the relevant sins’ varies according to the penitent’s financial situation: The wealthy bring a sheep, the less wealthy bring birds, and the poor […]

Parashas Vayikra – Coercion in Mitzvah Performance

This week’s article focuses on the principle whereby one must coerce his fellow Jew to perform mitzvos—a principle mentioned in connection with korbanos at the beginning of Vayikra. When, how, and to what extent must we enforce the performance of mitzvos? Does the obligation of coercion fall on beis din alone, or even on individuals? What value does a coerced mitzvah possess? These questions, and more, are discussed in this week’s article.

Waiting Between Meat and Dairy

This week’s Parashah, Parashas Ki Tisa, includes the instruction of not eating meat and dairy products together.

The Torah itself mentions only the words, “You shall not cook a kid in its mother’s milk.” Based on the threefold repetition of this instruction, Chazal understand that three distinct prohibitions are included: cooking, consuming, and benefiting from a combination of meat and milk.

Furthermore, it is rabbinically forbidden to eat meat and milk together, even if they were not cooked together.

Beyond this, Chazal also note an obligation to wait between eating meat and dairy products.

In the present article we will discuss the obligation to wait between eating meat and dairy products. How long does one have to wait? Is there an obligation to wait even after merely tasting meat? Do even children and sick people have to wait? What is the halachah in cases of doubt?

These questions, and others, are discussed below.

Purim Damages

Purim commemorates a reversal, a day of nahafoch hu, when fortunes were reversed and tables were turned. In the present article we will discuss a specific reversal that is not usually included in the theme, and relates to Torah tort law. What is the halachah concerning damages that are committed during the course of Purim […]

Mishloach Manos with Food Cooked on Shabbos

If a person purposely cooked on Shabbos, he cannot benefit from that food ever. Question: Can he give that food to another for mishloach manos, since (1) the other person is allowed to eat it and (2) the mitzvos were not given for our benefit? Answer: This is an interesting question. The Rav Pe’alim (Vol. […]

From Prohibition to Mitzvah: Writing the Oral Torah

The verse in Parashas Ki Tisa states: “Hashem said to Moshe: Write these words down for yourself, since it is through these words that I have made a covenant with you and Israel” (Shemos 34:27). Based on these words the Gemara (Gittin 60b) derives the prohibition of writing down the Oral Torah: “Rabbi Yehuda bar […]

Parashas Tetzaveh – The Halachic Status of Present-Day Kohanim

This week’s parashah deals with the inception of Kohanim for the priestly service, and with the special clothes that their service requires. Today, although we no longer have the Temple service (may it speedily return!), there remain a number of halachic duties and laws that pertain to the caste of Kohanim. In this week’s article we will discuss the status of present-day Kohanim with regard to these halachic ramifications. Are today’s Kohanim certified, “definite” Kohanim, or not? What is their status with regard to eating challah, to Pidyon Haben, to giving the Priestly Blessing, and so on? Must we give them special honors, as befitting the Kehunah? The answers to these questions, and more, are found in this week’s article.