Brain death:[1] The question of whether brain death is defined as death is highly debated in the Halachic world, and religious circles, and carried ramifications of several Halachic issues, such as removing the patient from life support, and organ transplants. The following is an analysis on the subject and the […]

Saying a blessing when tasting a food:[1] One who plans to swallow any amount of food, even if he merely intends to taste it to see if it needs salt or spices[2], must recite a blessing prior to eating it.[3] If however he plans to spit out the food and […]

May one remove cobwebs on Shabbos?[1] Some Poskim[2] imply that it is permitted to break cobwebs on Shabbos, and doing so does not involve the Muktzah or destroying prohibition, or any other prohibition. Other Poskim[3], however, rule that cobwebs are considered Muktzah, just like earth and twigs and other waste. […]

The source and reasons behind visiting graves of Tzadikim, relatives and cemeteries: The Biblical and Halachic source and custom for visiting graves: It is a Jewish custom dating back to Biblical times, to visit the burial grounds of one’s relatives. We find that Kaleiv, in his touring trip of Eretz […]

The three steps taken before Shemoneh Esrei-Part 2Prior to beginning Shemoneh Esrei, one is to take three steps backwards, and then three steps forwards, as explained in Part 1. The following are Q&A relevant to this custom:                           […]

The three steps taken before Shemoneh Esrei: Three steps forward:[1] Some Poskim[2] rule that when one stands to Daven [Shemoneh Esrei] he is to go forward three steps, like one who advances forward towards something that he needs to do.[3] Practically, it is proper to suspect for their opinion [and […]

Removing cobwebs before Shabbos:[1] It is proper[2] for one to clear his house of [spiders[3] and] cobwebs [i.e. Korei Akavish] before Shabbos, in order so one’s house is clean in honor of Shabbos. [Preferably, this should be done prior to the 5th hour of the day on Erev Shabbos.[4]]   […]

Drinking liquids that were stored in metal containers:[1] One is not to drink beverages mixed with water[2] that have stayed overnight in a metal container or a container made of Neser[3].[4] (It goes without saying that plain water which stayed overnight in a metal container [is forbidden to drink].[5]) [However, […]

Are women obligated to recite 100 blessings a day? Background:[1] Every Jew is obligated to recite one hundred blessings each day.[2] The inception and reason behind this obligation was as follows:[3] Dovid Hamelech instituted that one must say 100 blessings every day as a result of the sudden death of […]

Not to stare excessively at a rainbow:[1] It is forbidden for one to stare excessively at a rainbow. [However, it is permitted to look at it without an intense stare or prolonged contemplation.[2] The rainbow corresponds to the Shechina, and hence one who looks at it is considered to be […]