Tzoa-Davening and learning near feces and urine[1]: Summary of laws-Part 1 1. The Biblical prohibition:[2] It is Biblically forbidden for one to pray, say the Shema, or learn Torah, within the sight, or close proximity, of feces [i.e. Tzoa]. The source in scripture: This prohibition is derived from the verse […]

Question: [Thursday, 12th Sivan, 5783] On Yom Tov when we got up to the Shemoneh Esrei of Shacharis and needed to turn the pages in order to reach the Yom Tov Shemoneh Esrei, I absentmindedly turned to the Musaf Shemoneh Esrei of Yom Tov, and ended up praying the entire […]

Giving a massage on Shabbos:[1] Introduction: Giving a massage on Shabbos, although does not touch upon any biblical prohibition, contains several rabbinical regulations which are rooted in the general prohibition of giving medical treatment, and a prohibition against doing mundane activity known as Uvdin Dechol. The regulations and laws depends […]

Fact or myth-May one eat the ends of the bread/Challah or must one throw it out:[1] Many people are accustomed to cut off the ends of a loaf of bread and not to eat it.[2] Others, however, are not accustomed to avoid eating the ends of the bread, and on […]

Question: [Wednesday, 11th Sivan 5783] For several weeks we have been looking into leasing a certain apartment through a Frum broker and finally agreed to go through with the rental, sending the broker a message that we have decided to rent the apartment. He told us he would bring the […]

Question: [Tuesday, 10th Sivan, 5782] I am getting married next week and would like to use a special silver cup that is a family heirloom for the blessings that are said under the Chuppah. The cup was inherited from my great grandfather who was a Holocaust survivor and who himself […]

May stepsiblings[1] get married to each other:[2] There is no Halachic restriction against stepsiblings getting married to each other being that they have no biological relation.[3] Nonetheless, based on the writings of Rebbe Yehuda Hachassid, one should not do so.[4] [However, there is no issue with a person marrying the […]

Question: [Monday, 9th Sivan 5783] It is very common when placing an order by a restaurant, or even by a supermarket, to have it delivered by a Gentile delivery driver and worker. This is becoming even more common today with the Uber eat app, in which the uber driver picks […]

Speech-Honoring one’s parents through speech:[1] A. Speaking respectfully:[2] Included in the mitzvah of honoring one’s parents is to speak to them with respect. One is to speak with them in a soft and appeasing tone, as if one is talking to the king. Speaking to one’s parents in the third […]

Question: [Sunday, 8th Sivan, 5783] I just finished breakfast and was in a rush to catch the train to get to work, and I absentmindedly left my home without reciting Birchas Hamazon for my breakfast meal which included bread, even though I had intended to say it before I left. […]