Halacha & Hashkafa

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

"I'm still not sure we have a right to damage his property," said Mrs. Schloss. "Can you ask someone?"

A Signature Dispute ‘Signing… for Tikkun Olam’ (Gittin 34b)

Neighbors To The Rescue ‘He May Tell Others: Come, Save For Yourselves’ (Shabbos 121a)

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

Question: Are there limitations to the mitzvah of chinuch?

"What was that?!" exclaimed the surprised patron, Mr. Jacobs. "There goes my lunch!"

He Might Extinguish It ‘A Torch Is The Best Way Of Performing The Mitzvah’ (Pesachim 103b)

Although a person is usually liable even for accidental damage, Rabban Yochanan explains that, in this case, he is really completely exempt, but the Sages fined people who purposely damage property so that they won’t do so wantonly.

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.

Shmuel Bender and Asher Beckerman were study partners (chevrusas). They also sat next to each other in shiur. Shmuel felt fortunate to have the privilege of learning with Asher, whom he admired greatly.

What happens if the occupier claims he purchased the house from a third party?

It could well be that their goal in visiting the zoo was not (only) for simple entertainment or leisure, but to be able there to marvel at the wondrous creation of Hashem’s world.

A commonly employed and permissible device regarding the prohibition of wearing fresh clothes during the Nine Days is to don them for a moment or two before the Nine Days.

On the bima of the beis medrash stood a maos chittim "pushka" (collection box) on behalf of "Matzos Chesed Organization." The gabbai emptied the box every few days, typically finding $200-$500.

Is it proper to be overly familiar and casual with one’s parents?

Caring For The Sick On Yom Kippur ‘His Gullet Has Derived Enjoyment…’ (Chullin 103b)

Rabbi Eliyahu Schlesinger argues vehemently that only music that leads to rikkudim umecholos is prohibited; music, however, that is spiritually uplifting and soothing to one's soul is permitted.

D’tzach, Adash, B’Achav ‘Everyone Is Qualified To Judge’ (Sanhedrin 36b)

Shabbat candles must be lit by (and preferably 18 minutes before) sunset. Once it is twilight, the time between sunset and nightfall known as bein hashmashot, it is too late to light. Bein hashmashot begins when the sun sets below the horizon and is no longer visible.

Women are so innocent and pure. They must be, they bring up the children of Hashem, they give love and attention physically and mentally to all the children of Israel.

When Yoram got home that evening, he went over to Effy: "My day camp is looking for extra supervision for an overnight trip," he said. "Would you like to come? They're paying $250 for the trip."

Some argue that the Torah reading is intended to parallel and recall the giving of the Torah. According to this approach, just as the entire nation stood when the Torah was given at Mount Sinai, one should likewise stand when the Torah is read in the synagogue.

Question: Upon the birth of a son, common custom is to hold a Shalom Zachor on Friday evening for family and friends. But what about the birth of a girl? Some Modern Orthodox families hold a Simchat Bat on Friday night, but there doesn’t seem to be a source for this in Jewish literature. Are these Jews acting properly?

There are lots of back seat drivers at the Seder. Your kezayit (portion) of matzah is not big enough, they chide. Red wine only; shmurah matzot or nothing; don’t start the Seder before nightfall; must finish the meal before midnight; don’t drink wine between the four cups; the Seder plate set in the wrong order. This article is intended as a defensible guide for the brave volunteer who leads the Seder (the ba’al haseder).

The irrevocable consequences of taking a false Modeh Bemiktztat oath of partial admission would deter him from employing such delay tactics.

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

Treifa Cow’s Milk? ‘A Toldah Of Dash’ (Shabbos 144a)

A Special Syllabus ‘As One Who Is Exempt, But Nevertheless Does’ (Sotah 21a)

Avrumi perused the signs posted on the bulletin board of his yeshiva. He had seen most of the notices before, so he glossed over them quickly. Then he saw a new sign posted by the office: "We have arranged a 10% discount for our talmidim at the local seforim store. Please register at the store to get your discount card."