Halacha Headlines

Before WWII a lot of Gedolim were opposed to Zionism, what were their reasons? After the war did a lot of the attitudes switch? Why did they switch? Is Zionism a danger to religion nowadays?

Is there a Torah idea called Daas Torah? Can it override doctors? Does the “Daas Torah” have to know the facts? Can it override Shulchan Aruch? Even if it’s not in contradiction with Halacha, must we listen to it ? Is there such a thing as saying blanket statements without proofs that must be listened to? Are we supposed to be using our heads? If someone questions “Daas Torah” should he be explain...

What’s the original Samtar Rav’s argument against the State of Israel? Has the concept and definition of Zionism changed over time, and what does it mean today? How are Satmar and Neturei Karta similar, and how do they differ? Is there a prohibition of publicly going against the consensus view of Klal Yisrael?

Was the Rally in Washington correct? In Galus do we keep our heads low, or do we try to garner support? Do we do Hishtadlus or just Daven? Do we join in rallies with people who don’t have the same belief system as ours? Historically, what was the approach of the Gedolim?

Neturei Karta – Is Hatzalah allowed to save them on Shabbos? Does the conflict in Gaza qualify as a מלחמת מצוה according to הלכה? In this case, is there a duty for individuals to join from distant locations? Are students from ישיבות required to participate? Concerning unintended harm in warfare, such as civilian casualties: if a terrorist uses a taxi as a getaway vehicle, is it permissible to targ...

Where did all of the antisemitism on university campuses come from? Should it be a concern to our community? Can anything be done? If a student is feeling threatened, when can he take off his Kippah? Tuck Tzitzis in? Remove a Mezuzah from his front door? What did Chazal mean when they said that it’s a “halacha” that Esav hates Yaakov? Are there any halachic or hashkafic reasons to counter-protest?

Are you permitted to pay for captives more than their worth? Are you allowed to release terrorists in exchange for prisoners? Can you put other people’s lives in Sakanah to save a life? How many more deaths were caused historically by terrorosts released by prisoners swaps? Can you wage war to save hostages at the expense of more lives than the ostages themselves?

How are the Kedoshim being buried Should we train people in every Shul to carry guns ? Should there be armed security guards in Shuls and schools? Are guns Muktza? Are you allowed to carry a gun in a place that doesn’t have an Eruv? Is it against the Torah hashkafa to carry a gun? What message would carrying guns give over to children? How do carry weapons in Shuls responsibly

Sign up here to learn Mishnayos (בלי נדר) for the soldiers, injured and captives, by the 10th of Kislev, November 23rd Mishnayos audios available here Do we need to worry about “collateral damage” when bombing Gaza? Can a Jewish doctor refuse to treat an injured terrorist? What does halacha say about having a death sentence for terrorists? Are prisoner swaps permitted, if Israel exchanges many mor...

Should we be sending our Bochurim to Yeshivos and our daughters to seminaries in Eretz Yisroel? Can a Doctor go to Eretz Yisroel to help the war effort How can we help the war effort from America? How should we act in such times? How do we show empathy with the Yidden in Eretz Yisroel Should we be toning down our simchas and lifestyle in general? How should we improve? How are the Yidden in Yerush...

Hilchos Daled Minim How to shop for an Esrog Mitzvos of building and sitting in a Sukkah

What’s your favorite Yamim Noraim devar Torah? What’s your advice for improving ourselves? What’s worked for you?

If a person knows that he only if he Davens everything he won’t have Kavanah & he Davens less he’ll have can he skip anything? If yes which parts can he skip? If a person can’t have Kavanah because he doesn’t understand the language should he Daven in English? Should a person Daven at length at the expense of learning Torah? If a person can compose his own Tefilah is that better than davening...

For what type of situations should you be calling Hatzalah. How should you call Hatzalah – with a shinui etc ? Can you turn on outside lights to make it easier for Hatzalah to identify the house? If you have to go to the hospital on Shabbos what do you have to know – what can you take clothes, phone, wallet etc? Is it better to go with Hatzalah or drive yourself or go with uber? Do you have to go...

Are there Halachos on how spouses should engage in conflict? Do men and women fight differently? What are the top 3 things men complain about regarding their wives and vice versa? Should conflict be avoided or embraced? What are effective methods to deal with conflicts?

Is having discriminatory school acceptance policies Halachically allowed? What damage are we doing to our children? Do we have a communal obligation to accept all children into schools? Is there a difference between a boys school and a girls school? Can schools force people to accept upon themselves Chumros, in order that their kids should be accepted? Can schools claim they hold themselves to cer...

What can you buy in a store without a Hechsher? Halachos of Cholov Stam  Going mixed swimming with family Taking a walk on the boardwalk Sitting next to women on planes Should you visit a Beis Hakvaros? Are you allowed to Daven to the dead or just in the Zechus of the dead? Can expectenat ladies go to a Beis Hakvaros? Can a Kohein go to Kivrei Tzadikim? Putting on a Tallis and Tefillin by Kivrei T...

How should I react when the “Pride Parade” goes by my home in Yerushalayim? How should I explain the rainbow flag to my 10-year-old? Are we being influenced by secular values? If so, how are we seeing those influences? How do we strengthen our own values? Is being active in the rainbow movement worse than Chilul Shabbos? Is it a chilul Hashem to go against the “enlightened” values of secular socie...

What responsibility does an influencer have to do due dilgience when endorsing a product or business deal? If an influencer didn’t do due diligence and people suffered financial loss is the influencer responsible? Not letting people know you’re getting paid for what you’re promoting is it גניבת דעת? Are you allowed to push people to live beyond their means or become envious? What responsibility do...

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Is there a prohibition of Histaklus of a woman staring at a man performing? What about “Kol Ish” in hearing a man sing? Is there a problem posting videos of women singing online? Does a “Kol Isha Warning” help? Do female performances not reflect “yiddishe values”? Where do we draw the line of Tznius in public?

What would be the reason to Assur AI more than filtered internet? Why’s AI a bigger danger than google search? Can AI be filtered? Is there any positive uses in AI for Yiddishkeit? Will AI become a major necessity in most people’s lives/businesses like the internet?

Is it Loshon Horah to say the name of the perperators? Is it Mesirah to report such people to the authorities? What is the proper way to deal with the families of the perpetrators? What’s the Halachic status of the returns that insvestors received from the swindlers? Is there a legal requirement to report fraudsters? How should someone invest?

How do we judge if a segulah is valid or not? Is the $1 given out by the Lubavitcher Rebbe meant as a segulah? Are the red bendel (bracelet) and Schlissel Challah actual segulos or prohibited? Is buying Kol Hanearim, Maftir Yona or Pesicha for Neilah effective? Are there any valid segulos for parnassah, shidduchim, health, Shalom Bayis and great children? How do fake segulos catch on? 

Overreacting in self defense, is it Muttar? Do you have have to try to be מציל באחד מאבריו when someone’s attacking you? When unsure if someone is attacking what can you do to protect youself? (ספק רודף) Self defense against people who are mentally unstable – does a שוטה have a din of a rodef? Are you חייב מיתה if you kill a שוטה? What preventive measures can you take to protect yourself from bein...