Halacha & Hashkafa

Soul Food ‘It Comes to Include a Fragrance’ (Niddah 52a)

Is the desire to be more machmir than one’s father good, bad, or neutral?

You Can’t Have It Both Ways ‘A Minor Who Reaches Maturity’ (Niddah 46a)

"What a waste that I bought the bookcases last week!" he exclaimed. "I could have ordered them now for almost half the price and saved myself $800!"

How important is it to be informed about political and world affairs? Or is it important? Should the average frum Jew read the newspaper (or a news website) every day?

On Shabbos morning, Moshe decided to serve the kiddush food since it would mostly go to waste otherwise.

Rebirth Of Sorts ‘Immersing Impure, Emerging Pure’ (Niddah 42a)

Is it appropriate for men and women to call each other by their first names at work?

If a person incurred expenses on his own initiative to save someone's life, he can ask to be compensated

Prior to the 18th century, no one said Kaddish after Mizmor Shir for the simple reason that that psalm wasn’t recited at all!

The Great Switch ‘These Are The Sons Of Leah’ (Niddah 32)

Is observing Thanksgiving in some manner praiseworthy or wrong (or neither)?

It’s prohibited to destroy even part of G-d's sacred name. Thus, one cannot usually cut between the letters of G-d's name in a siddur or Chumash.

Missing In Translation ‘A Shesua Is A Creature…’ (Niddah 24a)

A Shabbos Treat ‘Snow Is Neither Food Nor Drink’ (Niddah 17a)

Sara felt bad but thought her friend should compensate her for at least some of the money.

Is it appropriate to listen to the music of Richard Wagner?

Somewhat Lacking ‘A Deaf Woman, An Imbecile…’ (Niddah 13b)

Location, Location! ‘Uncleanness Is Determined by the Time the Body Is Found’ (Niddah 4)

Do young children belong in shul?

Spared Possible Punishments ‘Those Who Are New To The Ketores’ (Tamid 32b-33a)

Guarding The Temple – Even Today ‘Kohanim Stationed in Three Places’ (Tamid 25b)

Ashkenazic society for over 700 years has considered sleeping in the sukkah to be a chumrah, not a requirement.

"Mrs. Stern plans to work on Yom Tov," Mrs. Alter said to her husband afterwards. "I tried to dissuade her, but she didn't pick up on it. Are we allowed to process the billing and keep our percentage?"

Should an average Jew spend a lot of money when buying an esrog?

"I asked Rabbi Dayan and he said I shouldn't seat you near Mr. Fine," explained the gabbai. Mr. Gold approached Rabbi Dayan and asked him the reasoning behind his directive.

Kishka – Stuffed Derma ‘Intestines Are Not Meat’ (Me’ilah 20b)

The Vilna Gaon felt that the proscription against fasting until chatzot on Yom Tov also applies on Rosh Hashanah.

A Transfusion, An Element Of Life “Blood-Let Of A Sanctified Animal…” (Me’ilah 12)

"Charging a price significantly different from the norm is a violation of ona'ah," explained Rabbi Dayan.