From what age may a boy/Bochur blow Shofar for others on Rosh Hashanah? Background: [Biblically[1]], one can only be Motzi another in a Mitzvah if he is of equal, or greater, level obligation as the person who is being Yotzei with him. Thus, in order for one who is Biblically […]

This article is an excerpt from our Sefer Buy me here or on Amazon.com May one eat garlic on Rosh Hashanah? Background: Customarily, just as certain foods are eaten on Rosh Hashanah to serve as a good omen for the coming year[1], so too certain foods are avoided due to them containing a […]

Women performing Hataras Nedarim: One of the grave and serious offences in the Torah is the breaking of a vow. If one made a vow and desires to break it, he must go through the procedure of annulment, called Hatars Nedarim. The severity of breaking a vow and its process […]

Squeezing and drying hair on Shabbos: Biblically, there is no prohibition against squeezing hair on Shabbos.[1] Nevertheless, it is Rabbinically forbidden to squeeze liquid out from hair on Shabbos [due to the Mifarek prohibition].[2] Thus, every bather needs to beware not to squeeze his hair.[3]   Q&A on squeezing and […]

Children wearing clothing of the opposite gender: It is a Biblical prohibition for a man to wear the clothing of a woman or a woman to wear the clothing of a man.[1] It is disputed as to whether the prohibition of Lo Silbash only applies when one wears the opposite […]

Kavana in Birchas Hamazon:[1] Understanding the meaning of the words: If one does not know the meaning of the words that he is saying in Birchas Hamazon, such as due to his lack of understanding of the language, then he does not fulfill his obligation.[2] Some Poskim[3] rule that this […]

Drying one’s body after Mikveh or a cold shower on Shabbos: One who immerses in a Mikveh on Shabbos, or takes a cold shower in mitigating circumstances [i.e. heat duress; remove sweat or dirt][1], must be careful to avoid transgressing prohibitions involved in the drying process of the water that […]

Cases that Bal Tashchis not apply?[1] It is Biblically forbidden to damage or destroy any item that can serve of benefit to man[2], unless one of the following exceptions apply: Destroying an item for fixing purposes:[3] The above prohibition only applies when one desires to destroy or damage an item […]

Skipping parts of Davening in order to Daven Shemoneh Esrei with Minyan: Letter of law:[1] [From the letter of the law] one who arrives late to Shul for Shacharis is required to skip Pesukei Dezimra in order so he be able to Daven Shemoneh Esrei with the congregation.[2] This, however, […]

The prohibition:[1] The same way that one must be careful with his body not to cause it loss, or harm, or damage, so too one must be careful with one’s possessions to not cause it loss or harm or damage.[2] Anyone who damages an item which is fit for people […]