Halacha & Hashkafa

In the case of a rescuer or an advocate, though, the employer knows from the beginning that the outcome is uncertain, and he hires the rescuer or advocate with this understanding.

It goes without saying that it is not always so simple to secure such a letter. Very often, the one who initiated the breakup will be expected to make financial amends to the other party in order to obtain it.

The people waiting for the adjacent elevator suddenly saw two slices of pizza fly out of the elevator followed by a religious bearded fellow climbing out of the elevator.

Of course, it is desirable to daven with a minyan. Unfortunately, there are times, not only when one is on vacation but also in business or on an airplane that one finds oneself in situations that a minyan cannot be secured.

Life Before The Printed Word “A Revi’is of Blood” (Yevamos 114a-b)

Tur, however, cites from Ramah that the minimal obligation of Tanach is for someone who is unable to educate more, but one who can, is obligated (chayav) to teach his son Mishnah, Gemara, halachos and aggados.

One is permitted to wash dishes that give off an unpleasant smell or will attract flies and other insects. So too, one who is disturbed by the sight of dirty dishes piling up in one's sink or kitchen is permitted to wash them.

It’s so easy for us to become overwhelmed with daily affairs that we forget about the needs of others. It may not be as life-changing as a new position, but even a phone call seeking our assistance or advice can be painful if not returned.

The Rav is not considered a shomer aveidah on the boxes, since the owner should arrange to take them. Furthermore, although he was a guardian for the two months, he is no longer so, since he previously told the owner to take the boxes

Mitzvah Or Kinyan? ‘…Both Shall Have Intention At The Same Time …’ (Yevamos 102b)

It is not entirely clear, however, if the Menorah depicted on the Arch of Titus is how the Menorah actually looked in the Beit HaMikdash... In fact, there are opinions within the Talmud that the Menorah’s lights were not even positioned in a straight line, as is commonly believed.

My father looked at me, motioned towards the boxes, and said ‘C’mon, it’s the right thing to do!’

The challenge in all these areas is to somehow control that the information that the person is seeking to insure is beneficial for the Torah Jew and the moral growth of the individual.

Who said there's any problem here of ribbis? You didn't lend your client anything. He withheld your payment, which was wrong of him in the first place! He owes you some compensation!

A Kohen Of Choice ‘…A Deaf-Mute, A Mentally Challenged Person, A Minor…’ (Yevamos 99b)

If one changes location in the middle of a meal that includes bread, one is not required to recite a new blessing upon one's return. This is true even if one is eating alone.

Some people politely greeted me and asked who I was and what I was doing there. For the evening, I explained that I was the new husband of the former Chani Mermelstein.

A Posted Picture Saves The Day “In Order To Avoid Igun…” (Yevamos 88a)

Our children are facing a world we could never have imagined. They have learned words like pandemic and PCR tests, seen grisly photos of war and urban shootings, and heard of ugly anti-Semitic attacks that never seemed possible.

Many authorities rule that the custom to wait until nightfall on Shavuot only applies to the recitation of Kiddush.6 It would be permissible, however, to recite Maariv before this time.

Mr. Furst was stunned for a moment. It's not quite the same, he replied. You have no connection to the land. Even though the fruit is hefker, the land is still mine!

Flowers symbolize the need for constant effort to maintain and build even the best relationships.

What is not so internalized is the realization that our success in life daily depends on our performance while davening.

Reward And Punishment “Ma’aser Rishon for the Leviim” (Yevamos 86a)

I’m sorry, replied the repairman. I checked the mixer on Friday, but forgot about it this week. Tomorrow I can't work on it, but can have the mixer ready by Friday afternoon.

Before the Jewish people received the Torah they only had the seven mitzvot bnei No’ach to observe. Upon receiving the Torah, however, another 606 mitzvot were added.

One of the criticisms of our society’s child-rearing is that we aren’t sufficiently training children to think for themselves. Children quickly learn how to spit back the information we want them to say, record it on tests, and tell us what we want to hear them say.

I can think of fewer things that are guaranteed to make a person unhappy. ... No one is showing their ups and downs on social media.

The rules of the sabbatical year, shmita, require farmers to desist from working and open up their fields, with all their produce, to anyone.

Fetal Immersion? ‘The Fetus Is A Limb Of It’s Mother’ (Yevamos 78a)