Halacha & Hashkafa

Perhaps the most important idea to know about spiritual growth is that it’s never all or nothing.

If one fears possible threats against Jews, it is prudent not to flaunt one’s Jewishness.

In today’s age, it can be particularly challenging when much of our communicating takes place through typing or texting, where we may allow ourselves to use words digitally we wouldn’t use verbally

The financial arrangements between landlords and tenants are contractual, replied Rabbi Dayan. Therefore, they depend mostly on the contract between the two parties.

Pondering A Kapandria “It Should Not Be Used As A Shortcut” (Megilla 29a)

Yes, you are so lucky. Hashem made such a big beautiful world and here you are able to see it.

Of course, he could have just told them. But he wanted them to have the written note that they could reread many times.

What is often overlooked, however, is that not only does bread take priority over wine, but cake (mezonot) takes priority over wine as well.

Not only is it improper to reject a shidduch on that basis, it is foolish, and not just because marrying outside one’s ethnic heritage broadens the gene pool.

In many situations a court order of bankruptcy would exempt the debtor from his debt also according to halacha.

The Gender Factor ‘…Where There Is Loss Of Work…[Only] Three Are Called To The Torah’ (Megillah 22b)

It is not widely known that the practice of securing and publishing haskama letters originated with the Catholic Church.

One of our greatest needs is for validation. No one likes feeling like he or she is crazy or out of control.

For some, the new year is a purely secular event; for others, it has religious significance.

I recently heard a shiur about the laws of ribbis, replied Mr. Rosenberg. I remember that there was an issue with prepayment discounts or 'early bird' specials, but I don't remember the details.

Unintended Consequences ‘Mordechai Was Second To The King...’ (Megilla 16b)

While those who are superstitiously inclined may prefer to avoid sleeping with their feet facing the door, there does not seem to be any halachic basis for this.

How do we take that first step when, for the mourner, the immediacy of loss is such an unbearable, paralyzing weight?

Alex was the best camper in the camp. He was deeply motivated and loved davening and learning . . . But Alex didn’t have a bris milah.

Hallel On Purim? “Its Reading Is Its Praise” (Megilla 14a)

Despite efforts to reach an agreement, Rabbi Gross and the landlord remained at odds. They came before Rabbi Dayan and asked: Does the landlord have to pay? Alternatively, can the yeshiva remove what it installed?

Intellectually we appreciate that everyone is different. But in our daily interactions we lump our children, our students, even entire communities together as if they are a single entity.

As a result of the difficulties with many of his rulings, it has been widely suggested that Rabbi Yehuda HaChassid wrote the tzava’a specifically for his own family and future descendants to follow and that it was never intended to be observed by the masses.

When the Chofetz Chaim felt the slightest tinge of anger welling up within him, he would excuse himself, walk away, and would talk to himself: “Yisroel Meir, why are you becoming angry? Calm yourself.”

In our case, Izzy asked Chaim to buy the laptop for him, so it was Izzy's from the time of purchase. Chaim was only a guardian of it.

The Investment Of Sanctity ‘When They Came To Jerusalem The Bamoth Were Prohibited’ (Megillah 10a)

If it's legal does that mean it's also permissible according to Jewish law and Jewish values?

The intense darkness of Egypt was the result of the fact that ‘no man could see his brother.’ They were too busy caring only for themselves.

Vihi noam and v’atah kadosh should be recited slowly and prolonged somewhat. This is because punishment in Gehennom is suspended from the beginning of Shabbat until the end of Ma’ariv after Shabbat.

A person who embarks on a two-hour journey 90 minutes before Shabbat starts is an obvious sinner. He cannot claim that pikuach nefesh (preservation of life) justifies his subsequent Shabbat violations.