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Author Archives: Rabbi Yehoshua Pfeffer

The Halachic Principles of Tircha De-Tzibura

This week’s article addresses the issue of tircha de-tzibura, burdening the public. What is the halachic definition of this concept? Does it involve an actual prohibition, or is it only a virtue and a worthy practice? When it is forbidden to burden the public, and when might it be permitted? These questions, and more, are addressed in this week’s article.

Parashas Chukas – can Kohanim fly over Graves ?

In Parashas Chukas we learn about the spiritual defilement of a corpse, tumas mes: “This is the Torah: If a person dies in a tent, everything that enters the tent, and all that there is in the tent, shall be defiled for seven days” (Bamidbar 19:14). One of the principle special halachos relevant for Kohanim […]

Chukas – Kohanim At Kivrei Tzaddikim

The question of a Kohen’s visit to burial sites of our righteous ancestors is a matter that commentaries and halachic authorities have discussed for hundreds of years. Do the burial sites of the righteous impart ritual impurity (tumas mes), and is there a halachic permit for Kohanim to visit them? This week’s article discusses the issue, from its primary sources through to practical conclusions.

Timing of the Pidyon Ha-Ben

We read in Parashas Korach about the obligation of Pidyon Ha-Ben: “All first-born of man and animals shall be yours [the Kohen’s]. But the first born of man must be redeemed … from the age of one month. The redemption price is the value of five sanctuary shekels [of silver], each weighing twenty gerah” (Bamidbar 18:15-16).

In the present article we will discuss the timing of Pidyon Ha-Ben. The Torah states that the Pidyon must take place “from the age of one month” – but when precisely is the time to perform the Pidyon? When is the Pidyon performed when the time falls on Shabbos? Is a Pidyon performed at night? What if the first day for the Pidyon falls on a fast day? These questions, are discussed below.

Parashas Korach – The Mitzvah of Techeiles

This week’s article discusses the specific mitzvah of techeiles. Recent claims to the identification of the source of techeiles have brought the halachic issue to the fore of halachic debate. What is the obligation of affixing techeiles to one’s tzitzis? What is the halachic status of “safek techeiles”? What are the laws of tying techeiles? This week’s article will deal with these questions and more, together with an introduction detailing the historical loss and claim re-discovery of techeiles.

Making Up a Minyan with Non-Observant Jews

The ten meraglim (the spies), whose sorry tale is narrated at the opening of Parashas Shelach, are termed an eidah – an assembly or congregation.

Concerning the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem, the Gemara (Sanhedrin 74b)derives from the Torah’s description of the spies that all ten people before whom the Kiddush Hashem is performed must be Jewish. Although the spies were wicked people, and according to the Sages they were even heretics (claiming that Hashem did not have the power to bring the nation into the Land of Israel), they still formed an assembly.

Based on this derivation, Rav Moshe Feinstein (Iggros Moshe Vol. 1, no. 23) writes that the same halachah applies to saying Kedushah with a minyan: Under extenuating conditions, even non-observant Jews constitute a minyan for Kedushah.

Rav Moshe adds that the principle does not apply to completing a minyan for tefillah be-tzibbur, but states that under extenuating circumstances one should look for a minyan even of secular Jews, for this will at least be effective for purposes of Kedushah.

Although Rav Moshe Feinstein gave only a brief reply to the question, the matter of joining secular, non-observant Jews in a minyan has been discussed at length by a number of authorities. In the article below we will present a short discussion of the subject, explaining some of the angles from which the issue has been approached, and delineating some of the practical considerations involved.

“Every Mother and Daughter” – Should Daughters Light Shabbos Candles?

The Yalkut on Parashas Behaalosecha (719) mentions a connection between lighting Shabbos candles and the light of the Menorah: “The glory of Shabbos – its candles are its glory. If you light the candles of Shabbos, I shall show you candles of Zion, as it says: It shall be at that time I shall search for Jerusalem with candles.”

By being meticulous in lighting Shabbos candles, we merit to see the future candles of Zion.

In the present article we will address the common question of whether unmarried girls should light candles alongside their mother, or whether it is preferable that they should not light. Also, what is the halachah of married daughters who spend Shabbos with parents? How should a number of families who are sharing the same house light candles?

These questions, among others, are addressed below.

Shavuos – The Dairy – Meat Combination

The present article addresses the custom of eating dairy foods on Shavuos, a custom that is. What is the relationship between the two obligations? What are the requirements of the respective mitzvos? Which parts of Torah take precedence? These, and more questions, are discussed in the article below.

Lashon Hara in Shidduchim

This week’s article concludes our three-week study of the laws lashon hara, and specifically addresses the issue of shidduchim, which is perhaps the issue in which questions of lashon hara arise most frequently. How are shidduchim investigations to be conducted? Which questions should be answered, and which should be evaded? We will seek to outline the general principles of speaking lashon hara in the context of shidduchim, and mention the halachic details that result.

Waiting after Eating Cheese

What are the different opinions regarding cheese in Eretz Yisroel re the inyan of hard cheese? Answer: There is no need to wait six hours after eating regular yellow cheese in Israel before eating meat. Best wishes. Sources: The Rema (Yoreh De’ah 89:2) writes that one must wait after eating hard cheese before eating meat. […]

Informing on Others: Mitzvah or Prohibition?

Last week we began to discuss the laws of lashon hara, focusing in particular on the fact that although lashon hara is a severe issur, the prohibition is waived in circumstances of to’eles. When speaking lashon hara has a constructive purpose, it is permitted—provided a list of conditions, as detailed below, is fulfilled. Indeed, it […]

Kashering Diamonds

Question: Can one kasher aluminum made with diamonds (Swiss Diamond), i.e. does it have the status of “even” (a stone)? Here is a description: Diamond crystals are the hardest material known to man. Incorporate them into cookware and you have the revolutionary Swiss Diamond. As the winner of the coveted international Gold Metal Inventors Award, […]

Conference in Non-Kosher Restaurant

Hi Is it permitted to enter a non kosher restaurant in order to attend a medical conference/meeting? (of course no eating!) Thanking you. Answer: If your attendance is important It is permitted for enter the restaurant for this purpose. Nonetheless, it is generally preferable to avoid this. Best wishes. Sources: In principle it is not […]

Parashas Pekudei – The Two Months of Adar: Which is the True Month?

As we approach the onset of the second month of Adar—Adar Sheini—we dedicate this week’s article to the oft-confusing identification of the “true” month of Adar. As we shall see, classifying the “principle” month of Adar might have ramifications that embrace a wide range of halachic issues. In which of the Adar months is a bar-mitzvah celebrated? When is a yahrzeit commemorated? Which of the two months is considered Adar for legal purposes? These issues, among others, will be discussed in this week’s article.

Baruch Sheptarani for Women (and for single mother)

Is there a reason for the mother of a Bar Mitzvah to ask someone to recite sheptorani (the father is not Jewish)? Some hold that the grandfather may say sheptorani when the Bar Mitzvah’s father has passed away, but in my humble opinion the mother has no obligation at all to recite this blessing. Thank […]