Listen here to Audio Shiur May one Daven in front of a picture?[1] From the letter of the law, there is no prohibition to Daven opposite a picture or painting.[2] Nevertheless, it is improper to Daven in front of a picture, in order so one does not come to stare […]
May one Daven in front of a picture?
Listen here to Audio Shiur May one Daven in front of a picture?[1] From the letter of the law, there is no prohibition to Daven opposite a picture or painting.[2] Nevertheless, it is improper to Daven in front of a picture, in order so one does not come to stare […]
Castrating an animal or human
Castration & Sterilization to humans and animals: The prohibition:[1] Male humans/animals: It is [Biblically] forbidden to destroy [i.e. castrate] the reproductive organs of any male creature, whether human, animal, bird [or even fish[2]].[3] This prohibition applies whether the species is Kosher or impure. This prohibition applies whether in Israel or […]
Reading Tehillim, Chumash and Tanach at night
Listen here to audio shiur part 1 Listen here to audio Shiur Part 2 Learning and reading Tanach at night [Chumash/Navi/Tehillim]: A. The avoidance: Many Poskim[1] rule based on Kabala that one is not to read verses of Mikra [Written Torah] at night.[2] This includes verses from Torah, Nevi’im, Kesuvim, […]
Suing for a broken engagement-The obligation of monitory compensation by one who breaks an engagement
Question: My daughters Chasan broke off the engagement a few days before the wedding. This has caused me and my family immense shame and monetary damage. May I sue him and his family for what they have done? Answer: I am sorry to hear about your predicament, and indeed the […]
Men hearing women playing musical instruments
Question: Dear Rabbi Goldstein I ask if I am permitted to play an instrument like a recorder, piano, etc. in my apartment or anywhere else if men could possibly hear my playing? There is the possibility that neighbors might hear me. Also, if there are men in the same […]
May one wash for bread in a different area than the meal
Listen here to audio May one wash for bread in a different area than the meal?[1] Example: We do not have a sink in our living room. Can we wash for bread in the kitchen? What if the kitchen or nearest sink is in two totally separate areas of the […]
May one wash for bread in a different area than the meal?
Listen here to audio May one wash for bread in a different area than the meal?[1] Example: We do not have a sink in our living room. Can we wash for bread in the kitchen? What if the kitchen or nearest sink is in two totally separate areas of the […]
What is one to do if the doorpost is only as wide as the door and there is thus no room to place it by the doorpost?
Question: I have a door which takes up all the space of the front doorway/doorpost and there is no place for me to put the Mezuzah by the doorpost which is in front of the door. Should I place the Mezuzah by the doorpost behind the door, or should I […]
Notes on Yoreh Deah Chapter 28: The laws of covering the blood of the slaughtered animal
Chapter 28: The laws of covering the blood Introduction: The Torah commands one to cover the blood of certain animals and birds once they have been shechted. The רא”ש writes that this מצוה is the completion of the מצוה of shechitah. The ט”ז explains this to mean that although […]
