Halacha & Hashkafa

Guarding The Temple – Even Today ‘Kohanim Stationed in Three Places’ (Tamid 25b)

Ashkenazic society for over 700 years has considered sleeping in the sukkah to be a chumrah, not a requirement.

"Mrs. Stern plans to work on Yom Tov," Mrs. Alter said to her husband afterwards. "I tried to dissuade her, but she didn't pick up on it. Are we allowed to process the billing and keep our percentage?"

Should an average Jew spend a lot of money when buying an esrog?

"I asked Rabbi Dayan and he said I shouldn't seat you near Mr. Fine," explained the gabbai. Mr. Gold approached Rabbi Dayan and asked him the reasoning behind his directive.

Kishka – Stuffed Derma ‘Intestines Are Not Meat’ (Me’ilah 20b)

The Vilna Gaon felt that the proscription against fasting until chatzot on Yom Tov also applies on Rosh Hashanah.

A Transfusion, An Element Of Life “Blood-Let Of A Sanctified Animal…” (Me’ilah 12)

"Charging a price significantly different from the norm is a violation of ona'ah," explained Rabbi Dayan.

How tolerant should a person be of a son-in-law’s desire to keep his own minhagim at his (the father-in-law’s) Yom Tov table?

A President Vacates The White House ‘Once Permitted To Kohanim, Me’ilah Does Not Apply’ (Me’ilah 4b)

A lender holding a loan document acknowledged that he received payment, but claimed that the payment was for another, undocumented, loan.

A Bride and Groom On Their Wedding Day ‘Except for the Day after Yom Kippur’ (Kereisos 25a)

Is taking a selfie proper?

David called Rabbi Dayan and asked, "Can a non-Jew and Jew form a partnership and lend money to Jews with interest?"

Usually you cannot double-bill, but the answer to your question depends on the contractual arrangement or local custom.

Beware The Fruit! ‘A Misasek Is Excluded’ (Kereisos 19a)

The Rema adds that a beis din may even decree "not to circumcise his child or bury him until he divorces his wife."

The rise of the chassidic movement, which exchanged many ancient Ashkenazic customs for those of the Arizal, also contributed to the increase in popularity of washing after Kiddush.

Seizing An Opportunity? ‘More Than 100 Witnesses’ (Kerisos 11b-12a)

"Thank you very much for the recommendations," Mr. Weiner replied. "I have to speak to a rabbi, though, about whether I can take the jobs."

Should a Jew be concerned about paranormal phenomena such as dybbuks and gilgulim?

In an office setting, therefore, the question of whether a worker may take food home depends on local common practice.

Temple Management 101 'The Rest Were Given To The Craftsmen' (Kerisos 6a)

The Sons Stirred Within Her ‘The Fetus Is a Limb of Its Mother’ (Temurah 30b)

Accordingly, the obligation to give maaser kesafim may be fulfilled not only through money, but also through goods and services.

Should a frum Jew take special pride in famous people who were Jewish but not frum and whose achievements have no evident connection to Judaism (e.g., Walter Rathenau, Richard Feynman, Danny Kaye, Bobby Fischer, Milton Friedman, Jascha Heifetz…)?

The Contradiction That Yielded 50 Explanations 'He Says to His Maidservant: You Are Free' (Temura 25b)

"How much is the whole horse worth?" Feivel asked. "Go sell it and I'll pay you the difference to buy a new horse."

Was Shmuel Not The Greatest? ‘3,000 Halachos Were Forgotten’ (Temurah 16a)