Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] EXCITING NEWS: The newly released Sefer, Fascinating Insights, is now available for purchase by sending an email to [email protected] or at https://www.amazon.com/FascinatingInsightsTorahPerspectivesUnique/dp/B08929ZCNM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Yehoshua+Alt&qid=1592311799&s=books&sr=1-1. To join the… Read more »
Category: Articles
Synagogue Sanctity
The recent Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent closing of shuls has brought Kevod Beis Haknesses at the forefront. In this week’s parashah, we read about the special status of Jewish… Read more »
Bolok-A Guest who Fried Meat in a Pareve Frying Pan
BS”D Question We went away for Shabbos and let some friends stay in our apartment without charge and let them use our dishes, pots etc. The dishes and pots… Read more »
History of the Daf
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on… Read more »
Chukas-Spending Money Prudently
“Money doesn’t grow on trees,” was one of the first lessons we all learned about spending. The second was probably “Spend wisely,” and “Start a savings plan.” These lines… Read more »
Chukas- Reimbursement for Rent Paid for a Moldy Apartment
BS”D Question I was renting an apartment for 5 years. About six months into our stay, I contacted the landlord and said that I believe there is mold in… Read more »
A Consoling Call
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on… Read more »
Korach-Publishing and Selling Material which was Sold to Someone Else
BS”D Question Several years ago we commissioned someone to produce a music CD for our organization with the understanding that we were going to be the only ones who… Read more »
Tachanun
This week’s article discusses the part of tefilla right after the Amida, when everyone puts their head down – Nefilat Apayim or Tachanun, supplications. What is the source for… Read more »
A Gravely Prayer
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on… Read more »
Shelach-Repaid with Money Invested in a Ponzi Scheme
BS”D Question A few years ago, a friend of mine informed me that he is willing to invest money on my behalf. I gave him a sizable… Read more »
Shelach-Performing Mitzvas Beautifully Old, New; Big, Small
Old, fraying tzitzis… yellowed, worn tallis… the iconic Jewish garments – or are they? “Ze Keili ve’anvehu” is a pasuk from Shiras Hayam that teaches the mitzva of beautifying… Read more »
Beha’aloscho-Liability for Damages in a Rented Apartment
Question Since our yeshiva does not have a dormitory, we rent apartments for our students. We don’t inspect the apartments before renting them, relying on the owners to rent… Read more »
Prayer in Dangerous Times – a Torah-Obligated Mitzva
This week’s parasha discusses an issue especially relevant to our times — times of danger, pain, fear and distress: Corona stalking the streets, crazed bloodthirsty mobs, loss of jobs… Read more »
Higher Than Kaddish
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on… Read more »
A Lively Death or a Lively Life?
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on… Read more »
The Minhag of Eating Dairy Products on Shavuos
“Dvash vechalav tachas leshonech – Honey and milk under your tongue” (Shir Hashirim 4:11) is the passuk used to describe the sweetness of the Torah given on Shavuos, and… Read more »
Noso-A Neighbor Whose Wall Fell because he Failed to Heed Warnings
Question You wrote last week that if a tree fell into the neighbor’s property there is a dispute whether the tree owner can simply declare his tree ownerless and… Read more »
Bamidbar-Which Neighbor is Responsible for Garbage Disposal
BS”D Question I have two issues with my neighbor concerning which of us is responsible for disposal of certain garbage items. Question 1 My neighbor’s tree recently fell into… Read more »
The Leadership Test
Rabbi Yehuda Storch How does the Torah define leadership qualities? Who is the perfect leader? Is it the proud owner of a straight-A middos record or the energetic non-stop worker for… Read more »
Bullfighting and Butterflies
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on… Read more »
Haftarah History
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on… Read more »
Behar-Bechukosai: Payment for a Child who does not Return to Gan
Question I run a private gan (kindergarten) and the government recently gave permission for ganim to reopen. I called all the parents and some said they don’t want to… Read more »
Taking Interest from Banks?
One of the prohibitions that are mentioned in Parashas Behar is the prohibition against taking interest—ribbis. The Torah forbids us from lending (or borrowing) with interest, as the verses… Read more »
Disorderly Devotion
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on… Read more »
Vekidashto: Honor the Kohen
In Parashas Emor we are instructed to give special honor to the Kohanim: “You shall sanctify him, for he offers the bread of your G-d; he shall be holy… Read more »
Emor-Adjusting the Wages of an Employee who did not Work
Question You wrote in a previous article (Vayikro) that if I couldn’t send my child to a private kindergarten because of the health situation, I should pay half of… Read more »
Excuseless
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions… Read more »
Acharei Mos – Cancelling a Rental Agreement Because the Renter Cannot Occupy the Property
Question We got married last summer and came to Eretz Yisroel to learn for the year. We rented an apartment in Yerushalaim. In Teves we made plans to go… Read more »
Firstborn Inheritance: Double Portions
The coronavirus crisis has caused a significant spike in people who wish to write a last will and testament. The virus has made us feel our mortality, and, in… Read more »
A Gift in Disguise
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions (on… Read more »
Tazria-Metsoro-Rent for a Store that Caters to Tourists
Question I rent a store in the Old City of Yerushalaim. It is in a very good location since normally we are swamped with tourists. Because it is a… Read more »
Sefira and COVID-19: Haircuts
אחת המגבלות הספיריות המקובלות בתוקף במהלך ספירת העומר היא איסור התספורות. בגלל מות תלמידיו של רבי עקיבא, אנו מקפידים להימנע מתספורות בחלק מהזמן שבין פסח לשבועוס. זו הסיבה שהמספרות… Read more »
Tsav-Reimbursement for a Broken Engagement when the Hall was Closed Anyway on the Wedding Date
Question When my daughter became engaged almost three months ago, I rented a chasuna hall and paid a non-refundable down payment which was two thirds of the full price…. Read more »
Tevillas Keilim
The Torah, in Parashas Matos, in the context of the battle between Israel and the Midyanites, includes the mitzvah of tevillas keilim. Concerning utensils brought back from the battlefields… Read more »
Fascinating Insights—The Sefer (in English)
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions, to support… Read more »
Vayikro-Paying for a Playgroup that I no Longer Need due to the Health Situation
BS”D Question Last September I enrolled my two year old son for the year in a playgroup so that I could go to work. I paid at the outset… Read more »
Nissan—A Month Unlike Others
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions, to support… Read more »
Davening Alone: Laws and Details
The trying period that we are currently going through has led to the closing of Shuls around the world. The continued spread of coronavirus, and the regulations enacted in… Read more »
A Learner Earner
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions, to support… Read more »
Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide in Torah Law
In the current difficult climate, a time when the danger of plague continues to envelop large parts of the globe, it is perhaps appropriate to continue our discussion of… Read more »
Canceling a Hotel Reservation Due to the Epidemic
Question I booked a reservation for Pesach in a hotel in Italy. However, due to the health situation I canceled my reservation. I originally gave the hotel a down-payment…. Read more »
The Pitfalls of Dairy Bread
One of the hallmarks of modern consumption is variety. Even in baked goods we enjoy a huge range, and any given bakery will supply an impressive range. Yet, aside… Read more »
A Painter who Painted Doorposts the Wrong Color
Question I am in the process of building a house. Recently I had a problem with a painter. He was given a specific color to paint the doorframes in… Read more »
To Drink or Not to Drink: The Purim Dilemma
A short statement of Rava is key in the unique character of Purim in the Jewish calendar: “”Rava said: A person must become inebriated on Purim until he cannot… Read more »
Parshas Tetsave-A Babysitter who Fails to Pick-up her Charge On-time
BS”D Parshas Tetsave-A Babysitter who Fails to Pick-up her Charge On-time Question I get home from work at five o’clock in the afternoon. Since my daughter finishes kindergarten at two… Read more »
A Visible Concealment
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions, to support… Read more »
Excessive Eating
Rabbi Yehoshua Alt Please send your feedback to [email protected] To join the thousands of recipients and receive these insights free on a weekly email, obtain previous articles, feedback, comments, suggestions, to support… Read more »
Using a Second Agent without Terminating the First Agent
Question I asked a real estate agent to find me an apartment to rent. He gave me two addresses and we started working on the first one, but… Read more »
Mitzvah Performance for Doctors at Work
Last week we opened a discussion concerning healing and halacha, discussing the basic questions of whether it is a mitzvah to heal, whether a physician is permitted to take… Read more »