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 »
Category: Articles
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 »
Healing in Halacha
Concerning a case of damages, in which a person assaulted and injured somebody else, the Pasuk teaches that there is an obligation to pay for his healing: “and heal… Read more »
Mishpatim-Giving Ma’aser from the Assets of an Incompetent Parent
Question I am the guardian (apotropus) for my elderly mother who has dementia. When she was well she gave tsedoko but was not careful to give ma’aser. Am I… Read more »
FINAL OPPORTUNITY
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… Read more »
Parshas Yisro-A Worker who Signed Incorrectly for the Postman
BS”D Question I work in an American company where the mail is unreliable. A client sent some goods back by mail (which we don’t usually use). I accepted the… Read more »
Arvus: The Torah Concept of Mutual Responsibility
The Torah describes the journey of the Jewish People to Har Sinai in the following words: “They departed from Rephidim and arrived in the Sinai Desert, camping (vayahanu) in… Read more »
Build Fences
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… Read more »
Full of Flavor
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… Read more »
Reciting Shecheyanu on New Fruit
As we approach the day of Tu Bi-Shevat, it is an appropriate time to discuss the laws of reciting the Shehecheyanu blessing over new fruit. The custom is to… Read more »
Beshalach-Two Tsedoko Pledges
Question About two months ago I had a certain serious problem. I said that if the problem is resolved I will give a certain amount to tsedoko. Baruch… Read more »
Predicting the Holocaust
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 »
Parshas Bo-A Deliveryman who wasn’t Informed
Question My elderly parents live in Safed. I live in Yerushalaim and take care of their bank affairs. Occasionally, I send them money with a lady from Safed who… Read more »
Halachas of Owning a Dog
In describing our miraculous departure from Egypt, the Pasuk makes a special mention of dogs: “But against any of the children of Israel no dog shall sharpen his tongue,… Read more »
Childless Couples
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… Read more »
Liability for Damages which Result from Pushing in a Sports Activity
Question Last week in gym class we were playing a game in which we had to get to the ball first. A friend and I were both running… Read more »
Praying for Miracles: Permitted or Forbidden?
The Parashos of Yetzias Mitzrayim, our miraculous redemption from Egyptian slavery, bring to the fore the occurrence of miracles. While we are unused to open and nature-defying miracles of… Read more »
Joyous Accomplishments
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… Read more »
Shemos-A Catering Hall that Changed Hechsherim
BS”D Question My daughter is engaged to be married. As soon as she got engaged we rented a chassuna hall and made a down payment. The chassuna hall also… Read more »
Child Custody: A Halachic Appraisal
Parashas Shemos notes the heroic deeds of the Hebrew maidservants, Shifra and Pu’ah, who refrained from carrying out the wicked decree of Pharaoh. Though he had commanded that they… Read more »
Haste Or Waste
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… Read more »
An Honorary Obligation? Performing Instructions of the Deceased
“It is a mitzvah to fulfill the instructions of the deceased.” The Gemara mentions this principle several times (Gittin 14b-15a; see also: Kesubos 70a; Taanis 21a) in the name… Read more »
May a Lawyer Prepare Certain Interest-Bearing Contracts
Question I am a contract lawyer who prepares contracts for companies to use when dealing with their customers. Often my clients are Jewish companies and some of the… Read more »
Our Generation of Greatness
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… Read more »
Adoption in Halacha
One of the Pesukim listing the children of Yaakov who descended with him to Egypt mentions the sons of Asher and adds, “their sister Serach” (46:17). Although the Pasuk… Read more »
Vayigash-Receiving Lost Objects from the Bus Company
Question The bus company recently adopted a new policy regarding lost objects. They were granted governmental approval to dispose of all non-valuable items two weeks after they were… Read more »
A Turn For The Worse
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… Read more »
Miketz-Suggesting an Idea to a Shadchan
Question A while back I had an idea for a shidduch. However, since I am not a shadchan, I suggested my idea to someone who is. He spoke to… Read more »
Shul and Beyond: Chanukah Lights in Public Places
It has become a common custom to light Chanukah candles in public places. This is true of the workplace, of Chanukah parties and public gatherings, and even of the… Read more »
Vayeishev-Returning a Found Misplaced Object to its Former Owner after the Shomer Paid for its Loss
BS”D Question I brought my sheitel to my sheitelmacher for some work. When I called to pick it up the sheitelmacher said she couldn’t find it. This went on for… Read more »
Katlanis: Dangers of the Twice-Widowed Woman
In the story of Tamar, whose union with Yehuda ultimately founded the Davidic lineage, we learn that she was widowed from her first two husbands, both sons of Yehuda…. Read more »
Parshas Vayishlach – Reducing the Price for lack of Hot Water at the Mikva
Question I pay a monthly fee to use the local men’s mikva. Quite frequently the heating system for the mikva doesn’t work and the water in the mikva as… Read more »
Shaming in Halacha: The Prohibited and the Permitted
Next week will be Parashas Vayeishev. The parsha includes the story of Yehuda and Tamar, which culminates in Tamar’s trial and the birth of her twins from Yehuda. One… Read more »
A Lonely Connection
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… Read more »
Many Roads, One Destination
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… Read more »
How Much Must One Pay for Merchandise he Damaged in a Store
BS”D Question I recently purchased wine in a store. The bottles of wine were packed tightly in the box. As I pulled out the bottle I wished to purchase,… Read more »
Oldest Brother: A Mitzvah of Honor?
Many of us—in fact, the great majority of us, certainly in Orthodox Jewish homes—grow up with an older sibling. The presence of an older brother or sister at home… Read more »
Long Construction, Quick Destruction
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… Read more »