One of many conveniences of a modern kitchen is the increasingly popular warming drawer, which functions as a separate unit or as part of a cooking range. Some warming…
One of many conveniences of a modern kitchen is the increasingly popular warming drawer, which functions as a separate unit or as part of a cooking range. Some warming…
The melachah (the prohibition) of bishul (cooking) on Shabbos includes any act that aids the cooking process. Therefore, a pot sitting on the blech (metal sheet used on Shabbos…
The lav (Torah prohibition), “Lo yilbash gever simlas isha” (a man may not dress in a woman’s garment) prohibits many types of adornments and beauty enhancements normally practiced by…
“Chased by a would-be assassin and a snake ready to strike, the victim passes a house of heresy,” conjectures the Gemara, ”may he enter?" Halachah clearly forbids a Jew…
According to the opinion of the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek, and many Acharonim after the Tzemach Tzedek have ruled accordingly, amongst them the Minchas Elazar, the Rebbe of Munkatch,…
Lag BaOmer is a day of great Simcha, happiness. Normally, the day of the passing of a Tzadik is not necessarily a day of happiness; in this case, it…
A kohen does not visit a cemetery, crypt, hospital morgue or any place where there are dead bodies, due to the lav (Torah prohibition) of becoming t’mei mes (impure…
Yoga and other forms of meditation are highly controversial according to Halacha as many of them are rooted in idolatry and Avodah Zarah. While the Rebbe encouraged those already…
There is a difference of opinion when the laws of Aveilus, the laws of mourning associated with Sefirah, the days of the Omer, cease to apply: Some people practice…
If a married man dies childless, chas v’sholom, according to halachah the widow’s brother must choose between two possible options in order to remarry. One is the mitzvah of…
“Of course I’m Jewish—my grandmother spoke Yiddish!” Before pursuing a shidduch we should ascertain that the candidate is actually Jewish, is halachically considered single, and is not one of…
A Sefer Torah must be treated with utmost respect, to the extent that, absent certain conditions, it may not be moved from one location to another. The Zohar is…
Scenario #1: A baby boy’s bris milah (circumcision ceremony) must be postponed and is rescheduled for Shabbos. According to halachah, only a bris that is on time—on the eighth…
A married woman must always know where her kesubah is. The kesubah is the property of the wife, and its purpose is to protect her rights. She does not…
The pasuk (verse), “Kol kevudah bas melech p’nimah” (the honor of the King’s daughter is within) speaks of the importance of tznius (modesty) of Jewish women. Based on this…
Some people are lenient and use the same stovetop grate to cook milchig and fleishig one after the other. Although it's possible for some of the contents of a…
Question: Are there any restrictions on making a will? Any guidance of what to put or what not to put according to Halacha? Answer: There are many distinctions…
Although it’s not against halachah to gaze at non-kosher animals or at pictures of them, the Kav Hayashar and other mussar works speak of the importance of guarding one’s…
I Said the Wrong Brachah Acharonah (After Blessing); Should I Bench Again? The brachah acharonah of borei nefashos does not exempt one from the obligation of saying the brachah…
Book reviews. Restaurant reviews. Hotel reviews. Product reviews. Even “Rabbonim” reviews. At what point do any of these one-or two-star ratings veer into the territory of lashon hara (slanderous…
My son was fined by his yeshivah for misbehaving. May he pay with ma’aser money? If a talmid (student) incurs a knas (monetary fine), he might reason that since…
Ineffectual Contracts with Employees When hiring, an employer often requires that the new hire sign a contract to the effect that if there comes a time when they part…
The halacha in Shulchan Aruch is that one may not dance or clap hands to a tune on Shabbos or Yom Tov. However, the common custom, particularly among Chasidim,…
A bechor (a firstborn son) receives pi shnayim (a double portion) of his father’s inheritance. However, he is entitled to a double portion only of assets that were b’muchzak…
What the Gemara says about yerushah (inheritance): Do not withhold it from rightful heirs by distributing assets to others, even if the inheritors are not worthy–dilma nafik mineh zar’ah…
