Showing respect to Teachers, Torah scholars, elderly and community leaders: A. Who is one obligated to respect: One is required to respect ones Rebbe/Teacher[1], Torah Scholars [such as Rabbanim and Roshei Yeshivas], and elderly people [even prior to reaching 70 years of age[2]]. Respect is also to be shown towards […]
Supporting Torah learners-Yissachar and Zevulan deal
Supporting Torah learners-Yissachar and Zevulun deal:[1] Although every single Jew is obligated to study Torah, one who is unable to study Torah, either due to lack of knowledge, or due to lack of time, is to support other people who study.[2] One who supports a Torah learner is considered as […]
Giving medical treatments to a parent
Giving medical treatments to a parent:[1] A. Removing a splinter from a parent:[2] It is [Rabbinically[3]] forbidden for a son to remove a splinter that is stuck within the skin of his father [or mother] due to that one may come to cause him a wound in the process. B. […]
The prohibition against hitting one’s parents
The prohibition against hitting one’s parents:[1] One who [as an adult[2]] hits his father or mother during their lifetime ]transgresses a Biblical negative command[3] and] is liable for the death penalty of strangulation. This applies whether to a son or a daughter. [This applies for both a Tumtum and Androgynous.[4]] […]
Non-conventional medicine:
Non-conventional medicine: There are various forms of non-conventional medicine or treatments available today.[1] Some people come to the use of alternative medicine out of despair due to lack of solutions from medical science for their ailments, or due to a disregard of medical science, placing greater belief in nature and […]
Mentioning the name of foreign deities-Christianity/Islam
Not to mention the name of idols and foreign deities: Giving it a derogatory name:[1] One is required to help eradicate idolatry and give idols and foreign deities a derogatory name. Swearing using its name:[2] One who swears in the name of an idol or foreign deity [transgresses a negative […]
Giving presents during Gentile holidays, chris-mass, New Years
May one give a present to a gentile in honor of Chris-mas and New Years? It is forbidden to give presents to an idol worshiper [even if he is an acquaintance] on the day of his Holiday. If however the gentile does not believe in the idol and does not […]
Giving a present to a gentile
May one give a present to a gentile?[1] It is forbidden to give a free present to a gentile that one is not acquainted with.[2] This applies even if the gentile is not an idolater, such as a Muslim.[3] If however one is acquainted with the gentile, he may give […]
Drawing sun, moon, stars
Making a sculpture, drawing or engraving-Madur Tachton: Making a sculpture, drawings and engravings of a sun, moon, stars, constelations:[1] It is forbidden to make the form of a sun[2], moon or stars [or the 12 constellations[3]]. [Some Poskim[4] rule it is forbidden to make any one of the 12 constelations […]
Construction: Closing up a door or window
Closing off the window or door of a room/home:[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 closing it off can lead to danger. Rather one must leave a small hole in the area. [The […]
