Halacha & Hashkafa

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?

All For The Boss ‘Praiseworthy Is One Whose…Sins Are Covered’ (Yoma 86b)

Point Of Ingestion “The Size of an Egg to Satisfy…” (Yoma 79b)

Jonathan needed some extra cash, about $30,000 for his business. He applied to a number of banks for a loan, but they were being tight on issuing him credit and were also asking for more interest than he wanted to pay.

The two sons of Aaron, Nadav and Avihu, who, according to some commentators, ventured past the outer altar in a state of intoxication, paid for it with their lives.

Question: Is it okay to recite Kaddish silently?

Mr. Brand was walking home one evening when he saw his neighbor, Mr. Moses, getting into the car with his family. "Where are you heading with the whole family?" he asked.

Worming Out Of This One! ‘Twisted Scarlet Wool’ (Yoma 71b)

Question: Is it permitted to sit during Keriat HaTorah or must one stand?

To Be Or Not To Be “Appointed…Designated From The Previous Day” (Yoma 66b)

A sick person who is told by a doctor (or feels on his own) that refraining from eating and drinking on Yom Kippur will or may aggravate the sickness to the point of danger, is required by halacha to eat and drink on Yom Kippur.

Question: Is there special significance to the blessing Yaakov gave his grandsons?

Shlomo arrived at the bus station half an hour early, whereas Kalman got delayed on the way. As departure time approached, Kalman called Shlomo. "I'll be there in ten minutes," he said. "Get on the bus meanwhile and save me a seat next to you towards the back."

"Boruch's vort [engagement celebration] is tonight," Chaim said to his friend, Yoni. "How are you getting there?" "I'm not sure," said Yoni. "I'm looking for a ride with someone. Any chance you're driving?"

The Egyptians lived through the most powerful manifestation of Hashem’s might. For months, they were afflicted while Hashem “played with” Mitzrayim. Two points were made clear: Hashem is the Master of Creation, and Moshe was the messenger of Hashem. Everything Moshe said would happen, happened – with precision and exactness.

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

Question: Is it halachically permissible to give presents to a chatan or bar mitzvah boy on Shabbat?

He must be a very important person to get such an important mitzvah, I heard them say, as Mr. Loewenstein, the local assemblyman, stepped up to recite the Torah blessing before the reading of the Ten Commandments. And Mr. Kleppish was too embarrassed to tell his wife that he only got third galilah on Shabbat Rosh Chodesh Chanukah. Meanwhile, in the neighborhood shtiebel, Maftir was sold for $500 and petichah for $20.

Question: Is it proper to decorate a shul with trees?

A Line Of Demarcation ‘…Until He Came… Between The Two Curtains…’ (Yoma 51b)

"Yossi is getting married in three weeks," Moshe said to Yehudah. "He mentioned that if a few friends wanted to chip in, he would be happy to get a washing machine as a gift. Are you interested?"

If they would invent a Mah Nishtanah for Shabbat/Yom Kippur, it would go like this: “Why is this Friday night different from all others? On all other Friday nights we enjoy a festive Shabbat meal. Tonight? No dinner!” The question is a good one. According to many opinions, it is a Torah obligation to celebrate Shabbat with three festive meals and it is a Torah violation to fast on Shabbat. Why then, do we not postpone Yom Kippur to Sunday like we do with all other fasts

Mrs. Simon had been teaching for seven years at a girls’ elementary school. The school had expanded rapidly during the previous decade as the local Jewish community grew. Each grade boasted four parallel classes.

Where Angels Dare Not Tread ‘There Shall Be No Man In The Tent Of Meeting’ (Yoma 43b)

As I headed to work on the subway one morning, two men boarded the train carrying on their shoulders crates of sandwiches and toiletries. They put the crates down and invited anyone who might be hungry or had not slept in their own bed that night to help themselves from the crates. Everybody hid behind his or her newspaper.

In One’s Grasp ‘Ein Ma’avirin Al Hamitzvos’ (Yoma 33a)

How come Kiddush for Shabbat contains different phrases regarding the Jewish people’s chosenness than Kiddush for Yom Tov?

Mr. Sofer completed his book order with an online company. The vendor offered special, fast shipping for an additional cost, but he opted for regular free shipping. "Delivery within three weeks," stated the site.

Question: Why do women cover their eyes when they light Shabbat candles?

People thronged from all over Israel to take advantage of this opportunity.