V.A.T. Refund
While in Israel, Dov purchased two large portraits. With the frames, the total price came to 1,200 NIS.
Washing Before Kiddush: Just For Yekkes?
The rise of the chassidic movement, which exchanged many ancient Ashkenazic customs for those of the Arizal, also contributed to the increase in popularity of washing after Kiddush.
Daf Yomi
The Kotel And The Mall
‘Sratya u’Platya’
(Eruvin 7a)
Is Grape Juice Acceptable For The Arba Kosos?
What about the Gemara that says you can squeeze out a cluster of grapes on Erev Shabbos and make Kiddush on Shabbos? They said that’s only if you didn’t treat the grape juice chemically to prevent it from fermenting.
Set Aside
"I understand you point of view," said the brother, "but if seems wrong to me. I'd like to consult Rabbi Dayan on this."
Jack Of All Trades, Master Of None (Bechorot 29 a)
There are no problems in life, only expenses. The compensation for performing a mitzvah is the opportunity to perform another mitzvah. These two truisms often conflict because, like most everything else in life, the performance of mitzvot often requires funding.
Laptop Liability
"Hi, Levi," said his friend Moshe. "I've got a project to work on for the next two months. By any chance, do you have a spare laptop you're willing to lend for the duration?"
Purim’s Missing Messages: Fill In The Blank
No one wears a better costume than the holiday of Purim itself!
Public Auction
The whole idea of an auction is to see what price I can get for the item. You chose, of your own volition, to pay $10 and outbid the previous bidder!
Is It Proper To Go To A New Year’s Eve Party?
For some, the new year is a purely secular event; for others, it has religious significance.
Pandemic Parenting
Gam zeh yaavor is a beautiful Jewish wisdom. Nothing lasts forever. Not the good and not the bad. This difficult time will pass.
Is It Proper…? Is having a natural birth advisable, inadvisable, or a value-free decision?
Is having a natural birth advisable, inadvisable, or a value-free decision?
Credit Card Loan – Is There A Ribbis Problem?
A month later, Mr. Leibowitz came to return the loan. I actually only got $4,900, he said to Mr. Oshri. I have a two percent processing fee whenever I swipe a credit card. I'm happy to pay you $5,000, though, if there's no ribbis prohibition.
Daf Yomi
When A Dead Ewe Gave Birth To A Live Lamb
'We Do Not Wait for Her to Give Birth'
(Arachin 7a)
Treif Toaster
Tosfos writes [Gittin 47a; Pesachim 57a] that hefker (disowning) rooted in error is not hefker, just as a gift or transaction rooted in error is not valid [C.M. 246:1-3].
What A View!
"You cannot restrain Ari from building a fence on his property," answered Rabbi Dayan.
Daf Yomi
The Shoemaker’s Children
‘If One Can Eat, One Can Sell’
(Pesachim 21a)
Daf Yomi
Presumption of Life?
‘The Husband Was Elderly Or Ailing...’
(Gittin 28a)
Kiddush: Covering Mezonot Items
What is often overlooked, however, is that not only does bread take priority over wine, but cake (mezonot) takes priority over wine as well.
Daf Yomi
When Is Chalav Akum Allowed?
‘When Milked By A Gentile…’
(Avodah Zarah 39b)
Bumped From the Flight
The Rif offers a different rationale. He writes that the agent must share the extra items with the sender because the benefit came about through his money.
Daf Yomi
In One’s Grasp
‘Ein Ma’avirin Al Hamitzvos’
(Yoma 33a)
Daf Yomi
My Plate, My Food
‘My Loaf Is Forbidden To You’
(Nedarim 34b)
4 For 100
People thronged from all over Israel to take advantage of this opportunity.
Degrees Of Murder (Bava Kamma 32b)
All persons accused of murder were confined to the cities of refuge during their trial in the Sanhedrin.
Daf Yomi
Genetically-Engineered Simanim
‘A Bird With One Siman’
(Chullin 62a)
Why We Count The Omer Before Aleinu
Although ideally the Omer should be counted immediately at nightfall, it is pushed off in deference to ma'ariv and the recitation of Shema, which must be recited first.
Daf Yomi
A Gentile’s ‘Kashrus Certificate’
‘We Do Not Give Innards to a Gentile’
(Chullin 33a)
When Swearing That A Witness Is Lying Doesn’t Help (Siman 75:13)
A defendant who is faced with one witness who testifies that he borrowed money is allowed to swear that he never borrowed any money and receive judgment in his favor.
Lost Leining
It was summertime. Congregation Sha'ar Shamayim was relatively empty, as many of its members were away in camp or vacationing in bungalows.
