Gezel Hagoiy-Stealing from a Gentile:[1] A. The general law: It is Biblically forbidden to steal anything even from a Gentile.[2] It is forbidden to steal even less than a Peruta’s worth.[3] This applies whether the Gentile is a child or an adult.[4] This applies even if the Gentile has caused […]
Men immersing in a Mikveh daily prior to Davening Shacharis-Part 2
Men immersing in a Mikveh daily prior to Davening Shacharis-Part 2:[1] C. History of the custom and its sources and reasons in the Chassidic teaching: The directives of the Baal Shem Tov: The Baal Shem Tov stated[2] that one is to immerse in a Mikveh as much as possible, and […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Moving a corpse outside of Israel for burial
Question: [Tuesday, 8th Sivan, 5782] May one who passed away outside in Israel be buried by a family plot or plot that he already purchased in the Diaspora? For example, if a Diaspora resident was visiting Israel and passed away there, may he be removed to be buried in his […]
Men immersing in a Mikveh daily prior to Davening Shacharis-PART 1
Men immersing in a Mikveh daily prior to Davening Shacharis:[1] In today’s times, it is customary amongst Chassidim and men of piety to immerse daily in the mikvah prior to the daily prayer. Although this custom of being particular to immerse every single day prior to prayer, does not contain […]
Touching the parchment of a Sefer Torah
Touching the parchment of a Sefer Torah:[1] It is forbidden to hold [or even touch[2]] the parchment of the Sefer Torah without a cloth.[3] This applies even if one washed his hands.[4] [This applies whether to the interior side of the parchment where the words are written, or to the […]
From the Rav’s Desk: Should one place the sleeve of his jacket back on for Musaf of Rosh Chodesh?
Question: [Thursday, 1st Tammuz, 5782] On Rosh Chodesh when we Daven Musaf after removing the tefillin, most people that I have seen do not place the sleeve of their jacket that was removed for the sake of the tefillin back onto their arm, even though we never usually Daven this […]
Minhagim for Gimmel Tammuz that falls on Shabbos
Minhagim relevant for when Gimmel Tammuz falls on Shabbos:[1] A. When to perform the Yahrzeit customs: When a Yahrzeit falls on Shabbos, the question is raised as to when the Yahrzeit customs are to be kept. Some customs are not feasible, or not permitted, to be performed on Shabbos, and […]
Pro-life or Pro-choice: The Torah’s perspective on abortions of gentile fetuses-Part 1
Pro-life or pro-choice: The Torah’s perspective on abortions of gentile fetuses[1] *It is important to note, that the below discussion is limited specifically to abortion of a fetus of a Gentile mother. The abortion of a fetus of a Jewish mother follows different bylaws, with many debates surrounding as to […]
From the Rav’s Desk: May one purposely eat less than a Kezayis of bread to escape reciting Birchas Hamazon?
Question: [Monday, 28th Sivan, 5782] In light of the recent article you wrote regarding if one eats only a small amount of bread by a meal, and if it exempts the other meal foods, I have a general question that has bothered me for quite a while. I believe that […]
Hiding the thumb-When and why
Hiding the thumb-When and why: In Halacha, we find recorded in the following areas that the thumb is to be hidden: During prayer: There are certain regulations and restrictions of hand positions during the prayer of Shemoneh Esrei, such as not to stand with one’s hands on one’s thighs.[1] As […]