Halacha & Hashkafa

Ball And Bat Substitutes 'Cut Palm Branches' (Shabbos 50a)

The link between the laws of Shabbat and the Mishkan not only defines the 39 Melachot but also determines the conditions for liability. One of these conditions is intent. The other is purpose.

The juxtaposition in the Torah of the laws of Shabbat and the Mishkan, the Sanctuary, not only serves to identify the 39 melachot prohibited on Shabbat but also determines the conditions that must exist before one can be held liable for performing a melachah. One of these conditions is intent.

Children And Corpses ‘A Body Lying In The Sun…’ (Shabbos 43b)

Hurricane Sandy had knocked down the power lines to Noach's house. After three days with no electricity, he heard that a neighbor had a spare generator.

Hurricane Sandy ploughed through the eastern seaboard, leaving devastation in its wake: mandated evacuation, flooded houses, power outages, uprooted trees, and smashed cars. The storm also raised serious questions regarded rented properties: Does a tenant have to pay rent for the time his house was affected by the storm?

Enjoying A Hot Dish ‘What Was Really Meant Was Replacing It…’ (Shabbos 37a)

“G-d formed man from the earth and breathed into him a living soul.” The greatest achievement of the biological sciences since that moment in creation...

Rabbi Feld headed out to the airport early in the morning. He was flying to the wedding of one of his congregants, Mr. Krauss, who had purchased him a complimentary ticket. Although the wedding was scheduled for late afternoon, they had booked an early flight to allow ample time.

When Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, the redactor of the Mishnah known as “Rebbi,” lay dying, he made his sons promise him that after his death they would set the Shabbat table and light the candles for him every Friday night.

For Appearance’s Sake ‘Moving Forward At The Word Of G-d’ (Shabbos 31a)

Triple Pray? ‘If He Did Not Say He Must Repeat’ (Shabbos 24a)

Question: What is unique about Modern Orthodoxy?

"I arranged with Simon Cooper, the plumber, to clear the blockage in the kitchen sink this morning," Mr. Laks told his wife. "Oh, great!" she replied. "I'll clean the kitchen before he comes."

Shabbat candles must be lit by (and preferably 18 minutes before) sunset. Once it is twilight, the time between sunset and nightfall known as bein hashmashot, it is too late to light. Bein hashmashot begins when the sun sets below the horizon and is no longer visible.

Crystal Clear As The Waters ‘Speak In The Manner Of One’s Teacher’ (Shabbos 15a)

Question: What is unique about Modern Orthodoxy?

Question: What is unique about Modern Orthodoxy?

Where Beis Shammai And Beis Hillel Agree ‘One Must Not Sit Before A Barber Near Minchah’ (Shabbos 9b)

Sam Berger and Moti Farber shared a two family house, with a joint driveway in front. The Farbers had an extensive family, whereas Sam was relatively young and just recently had his fourth child.

Lulav, Shofar, Bris “His Hand Is Not At Rest” (Shabbos 3a)

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)?

Even Moses, who spoke with God one on One, was not allowed to see Him during his lifetime. “You cannot see my face, for no man shall see me and live.”

Question: Should a person recite kiddush standing or sitting on Sukkot? If he stands, should he sit down after saying the berachah of leshev ba’sukkah or remain standing?

Pomp And Circumstance ‘Endeavor to See the King’ (Berachos 58a)

The Lady Of The House ‘One Blesses First On The Wine…’ (Berachos 51)

Question: A basic Jewish belief is that everyone ultimately will be judged. This final judgment is called din v’cheshbon, judgment and reckoning – see Avot 3:1. What is the difference between these two terms? What is din and what is cheshbon?

It was Yom Kippur eve. The shul began filling rapidly as the time approached for Kol Nidrei. Herzl Machlis sat in his seat, cloaked in his tallis and kittel, quietly reciting Tefillah Zakkah, composed by the Chayei Adam 150 years ago.

Why is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, so different from other Jewish holidays? On the face of it, it does not seem to follow any pattern. It is celebrated for two days, not only in the Diaspora but also in Israel. Yet the Sages refer to the two days of Rosh Hashanah as one long day – yoma arichta.

Shehakol Bread? ‘One Recites A Blessing On The Primary Food’ (Berachos 44a)