Halacha & Hashkafa

Ulla’s Murderous Companion ‘Yes! Cut Him Even Deeper’ (Nedarim 22a)

"Look, there's a sticker on the truck: ‘How's my driving? 1-800-…’" Mrs. Fine said. "Do you think we should call?" "I always wonder about this," said Mr. Fine. "What if it adversely affects the driver's job? Maybe it's just a one time thing."

This is one of those posts that falls into the category of “If only I had the power to……..”

"What difference does that make?" replied Shraga. "What counts is the agreement that we made. I said two hundred fifty and you accepted."

So I can't testify without raising the issue of Mr. Gold's disqualification? asked Mr. Hyman.

In honor of Purim, we open up the archives and bring to you some of the classic sheilos rabbanim have been asked this year…

An Early Navigational Instrument ‘Rabbi Gamliel Used His Tube To Measure…’ (Eruvin 43b)

If we draft two loan documents, suggested Mr. Goldstein, we could send one to each brother simultaneously. That will save time!

Rare And Difficult 'If He Has No Lamb…' (Bechoros 11a)

Question: May one support kosher sechach in a sukkah by placing it on a davar she’mekabel tumah, an item that can receive impurity (i.e., metal)?

Just as our ancestors didn’t want to hearken to the prophet’s message then, so do many of us not pay much attention to the words of the Prophets in our time.

Contrary to popular belief, the Talmud never explicitly limits the ban on footwear to leather shoes.

One who accepts tzedakah should not spend money on things that are considered unnecessary luxuries. However, if the things one spends money on are considered normal expenditures in the society one lives in, then it is ok.

If the store allows returns, I don’t see the problem, replied Eli. If you want, you can ask Rabbi Dayan. I normally wouldn’t bother just to save $2, but I am interested in knowing the halacha, said Shimmy.

When bad things happen to someone else, is it appropriate to speculate why?

The New And The Old “The Kohen Gadol, Due To Fatigue…” (Yoma 56b)

When the employer stipulates clearly that the work must be done by a certain time, failure to complete it on time is a breach of contract, replied Rabbi Dayan.

Was She Really Married? ‘One Said Two… The Other Said Three…’ (Shevuos 48a)

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

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.

A Public Figure’s Commitment ‘A Matter That Does Not Yet Exist' (Gittin 42b)

Sometimes, we even force people not to act this way but to let others benefit.

"Hi, Levi," said his friend Moshe. "I've got a project to work on for the next two months. By any chance, do you have a spare laptop you're willing to lend for the duration?"

The door to our troubles first opened on that Seventeenth day of Tammuz when Moses walked in on the worshippers of the golden calf and shattered the tablets of the law.

A thief is required to return the stolen item when it is intact. However, if it got ruined or changed significantly, the Mishna (B.K. 93b) teaches that the thief is required to pay the full value of the item, and he is left with the ruined item.

Since the minhag of Klal Yisrael has been to stay up all Shavuos night and learn Torah in preparation for our yearly reacceptance of the Torah, it is definitely proper to fulfill the minhag.

We are Jews and history is constantly repeating itself to help us improve ourselves, and to help us grow and learn from our mistakes. Hashem is always merciful and is always takings care of us.

If the debtor claims to have repaid the loan so early that day, the only possible scenario is that he actually paid it yesterday, the day prior to the maturity date.

There is nothing as certain as death and taxes, so the saying goes. Almost equally certain is the phenomenon of the living trying to avoid or evade taxes.

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.