Halacha & Hashkafa

A person who steals is required to return the item itself when it is still intact, replied Rabbi Dayan. He cannot suffice with returning its value without the owner's consent.

Since the soul of one who converts is transformed into a Jewish soul upon conversion, it follows, therefore, that a convert is perfectly entitled to recite this blessing just like everyone else.

As the rain dripped upon the bag atop my head, and my toes began to wrinkle inside my drenched socks, I could only marvel at the appreciation Rabbi Miller had for every aspect of creation.

Halacha demands that we live a disciplined life. We must develop our self-control. Kosher apps are fine but the devious, non-kosher mind will find a way around them too.

No Fault Lines “…His Father And Mother Were In Prison…’ (Yevamos 71b)

I didn't mean for it to be taken, said Mr. Fisher. I was just getting it out of the way. Still, you should have moved it aside to a safe place, replied his wife, not on the curb on pick-up day.

One day Zayda heard the tragic news. Everyone had been killed in the gas chambers. There was no one left. Zayda was the only one who had survived. My mother watched as her father, in one of his most terrible moments of his entire life, gave out an anguished cry to the heavens above.

The reason why the day is called Lag B’Omer and not Lag L’Omer is that Lag B’Omer is the gematria of the word Moshe. This emphasizes the belief that Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai was a reincarnation of Moshe Rabbeinu and that he reached the same levels of greatness that Moshe did.

Rabbi Akiva gathered five students and taught them Torah. The fact that whereas previously thousands had gathered to hear and savor his every word and now he had only five did not deter him.

The question isn’t whether it’s proper to own a smartphone; the question is: are we responsible enough to use smartphones wisely?

After hearing the sides, beis din concluded that the liability for the repairs was subject to an unresolved dispute between the poskim.

The Daughters Are Mine, The Sons Are Mine “Grandchildren Are Like Children” (Yevamos 62b)

According to a number of authorities, a mohel is not required to inconvenience himself and forgo spending Shabbat with his family in order to perform a brit.

For frum Jews there is a much more significant concern because the earliest time for Shacharis may be well after 8 a.m. Having to daven so late will complicate things for the masses who need to be at work by 9 a.m. or earlier, as well as for our yeshivos.

The Decree Of 1587 “Two Kabs Of Dinars Were Given… To King Yanai” (Yevamos 61a)

Rav Asher Weiss discusses the Jewish minhag of Shlissel Challah.

Although there is no mention of any restrictions on listening to music during sefira in any of the early halachic codes, it has become a widespread custom8 to refrain from doing so.

Ever Vigilant ‘When Unworthy, One’s Number Of Years Is Reduced’ (Yevamos 50a)

When Yom Tov begins on Wednesday night (in Galus), the eruv tavshilin ceremony is performed on Wednesday and when Yom Tov begins on Thursday night it is performed on Thursday, in each case by the head of the household.

Where Frequency Matters ‘… We Forbid Haircutting and Laundering...’ (Yevamos 43b)

Leah just called to say that they would like to come for the Seder! Mrs. Brand told her husband. It seems that her in-laws are sick. Do we have enough matzah for them?

Although ideally the Omer should be counted immediately at nightfall, it is pushed off in deference to ma'ariv and the recitation of Shema, which must be recited first.

Achashveirosh was concerned that in an effort to mitigate his shame, Haman would mumble the words he was instructed to repeat. In this way, Haman’s proclamation would just sound like ranting gibberish.

In its crudest sense, d’chak refers to “pushing” somebody out of his spot with the intention that somebody else will take his position; in that case, the main intention is not to hurt the one who is pushed away but to benefit the one who replaces him.

Pesach was meant to be celebrated in the land of Israel. That is the Torah’s clear intention, and even if there is no formal mitzvah of aliyah l’regel today.

If one is unsure whether or not a particular food item is subject to the penalty of chametz she'avar alav hapesach, one is permitted to derive benefit from the item, though it remains forbidden to be eaten.

Informing The Decision “Found To Be With Child” (Yevamos 35b)

The rule is that you cannot use maaser kesafim (tithing) for obligations that are incumbent on you, replied Rabbi Dayan. This is true even when the money will be used for poor people.

Rabbi Wein would caution us to remember every word we tell our parents as 16-year-olds because we will hear it repeated verbatim 25 years down the pike.

It is the tradition of the Jewish people that matters, proponents argue, and the fact that the Geonim and many Rishonim endorse the 600,000 standard demonstrates that divine providence has orchestrated its inclusion in the halachic canon.