The Candy Man
If the survival of Judaism is dependent on the next generation, there is no doubt that the most important person in the synagogue is the Candy Man.
Taking A Loan
Shlomo called Rabbi Dayan. "I lent someone money, and he now denies the loan," he began. "If the opportunity presents itself, am I allowed to grab money from him?"
Daf Yomi
The Shofar On Shabbos
‘Rosh Hashanah That Fell on Shabbos’
(Rosh Hashanah 29b)
Should An 80-Year-Old Have A Bar Mitzvah?
Question: A number of synagogues feature bar mitzvah celebrations for elderly Jews. Is this proper?
Dent
"I have no doubt you should pay the full value of the repair," replied Zvi, "but I'm willing to ask Rabbi Dayan how much you owe."
Daf Yomi
Sanctified For Now And Thereafter
‘In Front of the Sun or Behind It?’
(Rosh Hashana 23b)
Two Days Rosh Hashanah, Eruvin And Eggs
From this decree on, the two days of Rosh Hashanah, unlike the two days of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, were no longer celebrated out of doubt but out of certainty.
Ritual Without Morality
Hashem understood their complaint and therefore selected the ritual mitzvah of sukkah to test them.
Why Two Days For Shavuot?
Question: Why is Shavuot celebrated as a two-day Yom Tov?
Renew Now!
"Why are we allowed to read the magazine without paying for it?" asked Mr. Schreiber. "Shouldn't there be at least a mitzvah of hashavat aveidah?"
Daf Yomi
An Art Collector’s Dilemma!
‘Rabban Gamaliel Had The Form Of Various Moon Shapes…’
(Rosh Hashanah 24a)
Out Of Luck
"Hillel's name was omitted from the raffle," Mr. Simon said to Rabbi Dayan. "The winner is willing to settle with him, but another participant wants to invalidate the lottery entirely. Must it be redone?"
Daf Yomi
Appreciating His Infinite Mercy
‘I Am He Before The Person Sins…’
(Rosh Hashanah 17b)
Sefirat HaOmer Via Shome’a K’oneh
Question: Can one fulfill the mitzvah of Sefirat HaOmer via shome’a k’oneh (listening to someone else say the necessary words without saying anything oneself)?
Daf Yomi
Hillel’s Innovation
‘The Second Month Of Solomon’s Rule’
(Rosh Hashanah 2b)
Along For The Ride
Sometimes, we even force people not to act this way but to let others benefit.
Kohanim Blessing Jews
Question: Is it permissible for kohanim to bless Jews outside the context of Birkat Kohanim?
Daf Yomi
A Woman’s Oneg Yom Tov
‘You Shall Call The Shabbos A Delight’
(Beitzah 34b)
Unintended
He flipped through the pages, looking for some identification. "Absolutely no marks; it's brand new," Yosef said. "Since there are no identifying marks, the item is hefker [ownerless] and can be taken; I'm taking it for myself."
Daf Yomi
Altered States
‘Examining A Bechor Is Not The Same’
(Beizah 27a)
On Whose Side?
"I just picked up a case of tuna at the supermarket up the block, three for $2," Mrs. Cooper said. "You may want to buy the tuna there."
Sefirat HaOmer
Because the Torah requires one to count “seven complete weeks” one should count at the beginning of the day, which in Jewish law begins on the preceding night.
A Woman Called Basha
Question: Is the name Basha a derivative or nickname of another name?
More Than Enough
"I'll try to help as we can," said Mr. Goodman, "but we already made a special appeal this year. Let me see what other funds we have. I'll be in touch with you in a day or two."
Daf Yomi
Reckoning Time
‘Three Festivals, Even Out Of Order’
(Beizah 19b)
Reading The Labels For Pesach
A few background principles regarding the prohibitions of chametz mixtures on Pesach may provide some shopping guidance.
Is it Time to Abandon Kitniyot?
Rabbi David Bar-Hayim argues it is time for Ashkenazim to abandon the prohibition against Kitnyot. What do you think?
Blow Torch
"Why is that?" asked Rabbi Brenner. "What happened to the rule of hamotzi meichaveiro alav hareaya (the burden of the proof is on the plaintiff)?"
Daf Yomi
Belaboring The Point
‘Since It Is Permitted When Necessary,
It Is Permitted Even When Not Necessary’
(Beitzah 12a)
Rav Kamenetsky On The State Of Israel
Question: Have any “right wing” gedolei yisrael discussed the positive religious nature of Medinat Yisrael?