May one take a gentile to a secular court? The Biblical prohibition against going to secular courts applies even against taking a gentile to such a court, and one who transgresses this prohibition has transgressed a negative command.[1] This applies even if the secular courts rule the same way as […]
Where to keep Kesuba
Where is one to keep the Kesuba?[1] Many Poskim[2] rule that the Kesuba is to be kept in the home of the wife’s mother [the husband’s mother in-law] or another trustworthy relative of the wife, or by the Rav or Beis Din.[3] Other Poskim[4] rule it is to be placed […]
Cutting nails on Thursday
Cutting nails on Thursday:[1] Some[2] are particular to not cut the nails on Thursday.[3] [Thus beginning from Wednesday night one should not cut his nails.] Q&A If one will not have time to cut his nails on Friday may he be lenient to do so on Thursday?[4] Yes. […]
Tzaar Baalei Chaim
Is it permitted to cause pain or kill living creatures?[1] It is Biblically forbidden to actively[2] cause pain to any[3] living creature [for no justifiable reason, as will be explained].[4] [It goes without saying that one may not kill a creature for no justifiable reason.[5]] If the creature is a […]
Zecher Lechurban
Leaving out one dish by a meal:[1] The Sages enacted that in commemoration for the destruction, upon making a meal for guests [or any other meal, including even a Seudas Mitzvah[2]] one is required to leave out from the table one of the commonly served dishes of food. One is […]
Relatives Bathing together
Relatives bathing together:[1] The Talmud[2] prohibits one from bathing together with his father or step father[3], or father in-law[4], or sister’s husband [brother in-law].[5] Some Poskim[6] extend this prohibition even against bathing with one’s brother, however other Poskim[7] permit regarding a brother. One was already in the bathhouse when relative […]
Leaving square unpainted
Leaving part of one’s wall unpainted:[1] When the Temple was destroyed the Sages of that generation instituted that one may never build a home that is painted and decorated like the palace of a king, and rather one is to cement the walls and paint the walls of […]
Praying by Gravesite
How to pray by the gravesite: At the grave of a Tzaddik one is to pray to Hashem to answer his prayers in the merit of the Tzaddikim.[1] Likewise one may ask the Tzaddik to intervene on one’s behalf and pray to G-d for the matters which he needs.[2] Some […]
Closing up a window or door
Closing up a window or door:[1] One may not completely [and permanently[2]] close off a window or door, being that demons use openings to enter and exit and hence can lead to danger. Rather one must leave a small hole in the area. [The custom is to place a hollow […]
Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch
Historical background:[1] The Shulchan Aruch Harav, also known as the Alter Rebbe’s Shulchan Aruch, or Shulchan Aruch Admur Hazakein; was written by Rav Schneur Zalman of Liadi. Its initiation: The Maggid of Mezritch was encouraged by the heavenly courts to search amongst his students for a proper candidate to compile […]
