Using someone’s Sefarim without permission:[1] It is forbidden for one to learn from Sefarim that belong to one’s friend without his permission.[2] This applies even if one only plans to learn from it on a mere occasion.[3] This applies even if one is certain that no damage will occur to […]
Visiting grave after seven years of absence
Visiting grave after seven years of absence:[1] Some are accustomed that if one did not visit the grave of a parent within seven years then he may not do so any longer.[2] Others[3] are only careful after ten years of absence. Some Poskim[4] argue that one may visit a parent’s […]
Placing the Tefillin by the hairline-Part 1
Placing the Tefillin by the hairline:[1] The entire Tefillin must rest in the area where hair grows.[2] This means that [even] the bottom end of the Titura must rest on the area where the hair first begins to grow on the forehead.[3] [One who is not careful in this matter […]
May a gentile castrate an animal or human?
Is a gentile prohibited from castrating a human/animal as part of the Nohadite laws? This matter is disputed in the Talmud[1] and Poskim. Some Poskim[2] rule that gentiles are not prohibited against castrating. Other Poskim[3] rule that gentiles are prohibited against castrating. Practically, one is to be stringent like the […]
Making a Hefsek during Davening for the sake of a Mitzvah
Making a Hefsek during Davening for the sake of a Mitzvah: Hefsek for the sake of a Mitzvah:[1] It is forbidden to make an interval between Baruch Sheamar [and Yishtabach, and between Birchas Shema] and Shemoneh Esrei even for the sake of a Mitzvah [with exception to those cases […]
Bringing small children to Shul
Bringing small children to Shul: [It is a Mitzvah and obligation upon a parent to educate his child to go to Shul and participate in a Minyan, once they have reached the age of Chinuch.[1]] One is to teach his young[2] children and educate them to answer Amen. From the […]
May a father disinherit the firstborn, or give him an equal portion in the will?
May a father disinherit the firstborn, or give him an equal portion in the will? A person is unable to change the laws of inheritance in the form of inheritance; to inherit to one who is not an heir, or to disinherit a rightful heir. This applies whether he is […]
Living and/or visiting Egypt
Living or visiting Egypt?[1] The Torah prohibits one from living in Mitzrayim in various places in scripture.[2] This prohibition is counted as one of the 365 negative commands.[3] Does the prohibition apply today? Some Poskim[4] however rule that the prohibition no longer applies today.[5] Other Poskim[6] however rule this prohibition […]
Men trimming and shaving their legs, arms, chest and other limbs
Men trimming/shaving their legs, arms, chest:[1] Trimming with scissor:[2] From the letter of the law, it is permitted for men to remove with a scissor the hair of the legs, arm, and chest. [Doing so does not transgress the prohibition of Beged Isha, or any other prohibition. However, removing hair […]
The proper blessing of a lemon
Blessing on lemons:[1] Lemons that are only mildly sour, and are thus edible, receive the blessing of Shehakol.[2] Lemons that are very sour to the point of inedibility, do not receive a blessing at all prior to consumption.[3] Lemon peel:[4] The peel of a lemon which is edible, receives the […]