Halacha & Hashkafa

Whether a month is chaser or maleh makes a crucial difference to our Jewish lives. If, for example, one mistakenly believed the month of Elul was maleh when in fact it was chaser, one might find oneself eating on Yom Kippur and fasting on a weekday. If one mistakenly believed the month of Adar was maleh when in fact it was chaser, one might find oneself eating bread on Pesach.

"Well, I brought over a cake for the simcha," Mrs. Kasner said. She came in and put the cake down on the counter. "Please tell your mother I'd like the serving dish back after Shabbos."

Is a shomer aveidah considered a shomer chinam or a shomer sachar?

Full Or Abridged? ‘One Is Obligated To Recite Hallel’ (Sukkah 48a)

Question: In the Amidah, the phrase “Mashiv HaRuach” concludes in some siddurim with the words “umorid ha’geshem” (with a segol under the gimmel) and in other siddurim with the words “umorid ha’gashem” (with a kamatz under the gimmel). What is the practical difference between these two readings?

"We're hosting a sheva berachos tonight for my niece," Mrs. Kohn replied. "I'm already late! I don't even have a minute to take my projector to the office. Would you mind keeping it overnight in your office?"

When Mr. Fine received the translation he was disappointed. The translation was passing, but lacked the power and command of language in other translations he’d seen.

Question: When performing a mitzvah, what is more important: doing it right away – “zerizim” – or doing it with a large crowd – “berov am”?

Lulav, Sukkah, Shofar ‘Beautification is Not an Obstruction’ (Sukkah 37a)

The lulav symbolizes the backbone, the etrog, the heart, the hadas the eyes, and the arava the lips moving in the service of God.

A Grafted Esrog ‘Passul When Missing Even a Tiny Bit’ (Sukkah 34b)

The day after Purim, Mordechai Freilich received the mishloach manos package with a note: "This mishloach manos was meant to be delivered on Purim, but delayed due to the storm. Please accept our apologies."

Question: When performing a mitzvah, what is more important: doing it right away – “zerizim” – or doing it with a large crowd – “berov am”?

Although the Torah only commands us to pick up the arba minim, the rabbis require that we wave them in all four directions of the compass as well as upward and downward.

Question: How much time may lapse between Kiddush and the meal?

Is a shomer aveidah considered a shomer chinam or a shomer sachar?

The Flighty Customer ‘Scribes…Are Exempt’ (Sukkah 26a)

Today was one of those days. Shimshon was standing in the hallway during recess, talking to a friend, when Dan walked over and jumped on him.

It’s All About The Clouds ‘Have You Seen My Slave, Tabi?’ (Sukkah 20b)

"The Gemara [B.M. 25a] questions whether coins arranged in such a fashion serve as a siman – indicating intentional arrangement – or not," explained Rabbi Dayan. "The question is whether they could have fallen unintentionally in this way. This question remains unresolved in the Gemara."

Question: Do Jews pray for Jewish political independence?

Outside the school, a person stood selling waterproof knapsacks. A sign above him read: "SALE! Only $100 for a knapsack! Limited time offer." Mr. Wasser passed by and was intrigued by the knapsacks. He came over and asked the salesman about them.

The equivalent of the “OU” kashrut certification in England is that of the London Beit Din. There is also a competing kashrut certification called Kedassia. Those who eat Kedassia do not eat Beit Din.

What Constitutes Schach? ‘Schach Boards’ (Sukkah 14a)

Question: In Havdalah, we note that Hashem separates day from night and Yisrael from the nations of the world. Are these two distinctions similar in nature?

The Face Of Holiness ‘Inscribed on the Tzitz HaZahav’ (Sukkah 5a)

"I've got to run," Yossi said to his friends. He turned to Nachman, who lived a few doors away from him. "Someone asked me to watch his backpack, with a laptop inside," he said. "Can you please take it home? I'll pick it up in the evening."

Question: The Talmud (Berachot 33b) notes that it is improper to implore G-d: “Just as You have shown mercy upon a bird’s nest [with the mitzvah of shiluach ha’kan], so, too, may you have mercy and compassion on us.” Why is this prayer improper?

When we are on the move in life, exiled from place to place, we turn to God, our Partner, for the protection of His cloud. When we are given the luxury of settling down, God turns to us, His partner, for the protection of our walls.

If karet is premature death at the hand of God, until what age can it strike and at what age can one celebrate emerging from the danger zone?