Yichud Hashem, the unity and oneness of Hashem, is a fundamental mitzvah, “Ikar hagadol shehakol talui boi,” a primary principle upon which practically all of Yiddishkeit is dependent. We…
Yichud Hashem, the unity and oneness of Hashem, is a fundamental mitzvah, “Ikar hagadol shehakol talui boi,” a primary principle upon which practically all of Yiddishkeit is dependent. We…
The Rambam considers “Ve’halachta bidrachav” (You should walk in the ways of Hashem) a mitzvas aseh min haTorah (positive Biblical commandment) and lists it as one of the 613…
There are times when we are required to recite Shemoneh Esreh (the silent Amidah prayer), even though by doing so, there is a possibility that we are saying the…
I should have realized a free chocolate bar would make problems... Now I’m stuck: I recited the brachah of shehakol, but as I was about to take a bite,…
There is a principle in halachah: sfaika d'Rabbanan l'kula (when there is doubt regarding [observance of a] Rabbinic law, it is ruled leniently), as opposed to sfaika d’Oraysa l’chumrah…
The first of the Aseres Hadibros (Decalogue, Ten Statements Hashem said at Har Sinai), “Anochi Hashem Elokecha” (I am Hashem your G-d), has been understood by many Rishonim as…
Sfaika d’Rabbanan l’kulah (a Rabbinic law associated with doubt is ruled leniently) and sfaika d’Oraysah l’chumrah (a Biblical law associated with doubt is ruled stringently) are guiding principles in…
Lo nitnah Torah l’malachei hashares (The Torah was not given to the angels), Chazal tell us. Mitzvos and halachos are predicated on being possible and reasonable for human beings…
A me’uberes, a woman who is expecting, should focus her energy on making sure that her child grows up in an environment of Torah and kedushah, in a holy…
Shabbos was forecast as a real scorcher, but here in the earlier hours of the day, I’m relaxing on my front porch with a hefty sefer (holy book) and…
OCD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, affects quite a number of people and has a lot of bearing on halachah. Although it is something that is not directly discussed in poskim, there…
There are many possible halachic prohibitions associated with counting according to the secular calendar. Some months of the year are named for types of avodah zarah (idol worship). It…
We may not use Hashem’s holy names for secular purposes. Any descriptions that are unique to Hashem, such as Melech Hakavod (Honored King), or L’eila mikol brachasa v’shirasa ([He is] beyond…
The wheelchair-bound, rachmana litzlan (G-d forbid), who are unable to leave their apartments on their own, are often assisted by non-Jewish aides who naturally wish to transport their charges…
A shadchan, one who arranges a shidduch, match, should be paid for their work. There is a clear halachah in Shulchan Aruch that a shadchan should be paid a…
One is not permitted to say Hashem’s name in vain. This prohibition is derived from the posuk, “Es Hashem Elokeicho tira”, one should fear Hashem. If a person says…
Once upon a time the camel, horse and donkey were the primary means of transport for both men and women. There are guidelines for men: they may not ride…
Close to a thousand years ago Rabbeinu Gershom instituted a cherem, a very strict ruling, which was accepted by Ashkenazi communities worldwide, that a man may not be married…
B’ hashgacha pratis (with special Divine Providence), you encounter someone who is not yet shomer Torah u’mitzvos (Torah and mitzvah observant). You feel that this Jewish neshamah (soul) would…
Dovid Hamelech, who composed much of Sefer Tehillim (the Book of Psalms), asked Hashem that when Yidden (Jewish People) will recite Tehillim He should be consider it ke’ilu oskim…
It’s forbidden for ex-spouses to interact with each other socially (see Article #533 for further details). However, there’s a mitzvah of machzir gerushaso (remarrying one’s divorced spouse)—unless he is…
The Gemara discusses a rainwater pipe that becomes blocked on Shabbos by grass growing inside or getting washed in. It is mutar (permitted) to stomp down on the obstruction…
It is important for all those who are traveling together to say Tefilas Haderech (the Traveler’s Prayer) simultaneously. In case there are not enough siddurim available, an option is…
The halachah is that once a woman receives her get (bill of divorce), the ex-spouses should refrain from meeting each other and from doing anything that would give the…
Baked goods that has a filling can be considered mezonos if two conditions are met: 1) The filling is the primary ingredient. 2) The filling is sweet. It is…
