Halacha & Hashkafa

This will render any note the plaintiff may subsequently produce null and void...

Such a document is legally binding, said Mr. Cohen, but I'm not sure that it's halachically binding.

A Parrot Or A Lie Detector? ‘We Admonish The Witnesses’ (Sanhedrin 29a)

Many contemporary Jews living outside of Israel might treat a summons from the bet din, the Jewish court of law in the Diaspora, like a letter that can be ignored.

When Nosson returned, Gabi said to him: Avi came by for the $100 that you owe him. I paid him for you, so you can give me the $100.

Maintaining A Library ‘He Shall Write A Sefer Torah’ (Sanhedrin 21b)

If the defendant trusted the plaintiff with such a dangerous weapon as a promissory note, he only has himself to blame.

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.

Awaiting Elijah ‘Semicha… Is Performed By Three’ (Sanhedrin 13b)

Had the plaintiff brought two witnesses to testify in his favor, he would have won the case and judgment would have been entered against the defendant.

The Rambam, however, was of the opinion that hearsay evidence is not sufficient to require the defendant to take the Shevuat Heiset oath of denial, even if it came from the plaintiff’s father.

The search continues on in this way up the paternal family tree until it finally locates a living relative.

Ari took $200 out of his wallet. He said to two friends at the adjacent table: For the record, see that I'm lending Shalom $200.

The Longest Mesechta? ‘We Shall Return To You…’ (Bava Basra 176b)

When does the obligation of mitzvah lekayem divrei ha’met apply, and how could it have improved Jill’s position?

It should, therefore, be deemed insufficient to oblige the defendant to take the Shevuat Heiset oath of denial.

Mr. Gefen approached Rabbi Dayan and related the story. Can I take from the store what I deserve? asked Mr. Gefen.

A Shidduch Solution ‘Known In A Town For 30 Days…’ +---------------- (Bava Basra 167b)

Why does the halacha not recognize the validity of wills made in accordance with the law of the land?

Either way, the defendant does not have to take an oath to rebut the claim of an uncertain plaintiff.

My glasses! exclaimed Moshe. I hung them on the seat in front and you cracked them.

Rash And Impulsive ‘A Place Inhabited By Many Kohanim …’ (Bava Basra 160b)

Our rabbis, keenly aware of the often ephemeral nature of our resolutions, make us jump through some procedural hoops in order to ensure that we mean what we sell or give away.

Before the Torah obliges a defendant to take the Modeh Bemiktzat oath of partial admission, the defendant must admit at least one perutah of the claim and deny two maot.

It is the certainty with which the plaintiff presses his claim that obliges the defendant to take an oath and that saddles him with a moral obligation to pay.

Crossing The Divide ‘Then The Two Men Shall Stand…’ (Bava Basra 155b)

The bags had floated off in opposite directions and were already filling with water. Yehuda paddled away to pick up his bag.

The Priest Forbade Chametz ‘Acquired By Admission’ (Bava Basra 149a)

A typical example of a chok is the prohibition against wearing sha’atnez, clothes made of wool and linen. A typical example of a mishpat is the prohibition against murder.

Mr. Stein notified all the participants and called Mr. Turk. Our flight was delayed, he said. We will have to reschedule the bus for 5 p.m.