Halacha Headlines

What’s your favorite Devar Torah for the Yamim Noraim? How can we make our Kabbalos last – and what really works? What’s the most powerful lesson you’ve learned this past year? What do you hope to carry forward into the year ahead?

When does chazanus cross into tircha d’tzibburah? Can a chazan use popular tunes, repeat words, or sing with a choir? Should a professional chazan be hired for the Yamim Noraim, or is simplicity preferred? Is chazanus an ideal form of avodas Hashem — or is it frowned upon? What are the qualifications required of a Yamim Noraim chazan?

The Torah’s obligation to hold oneself higher in business Kiddush Hashem in the workplace Can you make money without cutting corners? Is there a concept of not doing Mitzvos in public that will cause non jews to ridicule us? And Much more……

What level of proof is required before sounding the alarm? When risks are identified, should they be broadcast widely, or kept within a limited circle? What happens when victims are silenced, ignored, or when abuse is covered up? How can we, as a community, ensure that abuse is never minimized or swept under the rug? What role do journalists, news outlets, and podcasts play in exposing the truth a...

When is it prohibited to interfere with someone else’s pending transaction? (“Ani Hamehapech B’chararah”) When is it prohibited to capitalize on someone else’s groundwork? (“Ani Hamenakef”) Beis Din in Action: • Outbidding someone for an apartment • Poaching a long-term client • Taking a business idea and running with it

Can you own intellectual property? Can it be stolen if it’s not tangible and there’s no act of theft? Do you have to pay for enjoyment? Dina D’Malcusa Dina Aveida M’Daas And much more…..

What are the minimum requirements of Tznius when it comes to women’s dress? Are the reactions by girls/women when taught Hilchos Tznius any different than for Hilchos Shabbos and the like? What specific things are more difficult for certain women to be responsive to? How should Hilchos Tznius be taught so that it will be accepted? Can up to a Tefach be shown? Long skirts worn? Denim clothing? Slit...

Do any contemporary Poskim permit smoking? Is vaping halachically better than smoking? What’s the argument that smoking is permitted? What are the risks of second-hand smoking and vaping? If someone already smokes, do they need to quit? How far must a smoker distance himself from others?

Is it permissible according to Halacha to establish communal guidelines or enactments that restrict the sale or purchase of homes within a defined radius of the community? May a Jew purchase property in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood with the intent to rent it out to non-Jews? Does it matter what type of tenants are placed in the property—for example, individuals of questionable character, mu...

Can a second business open up next to another and compete? What if the second business will hurt or destroy the first business? What does a Beis Din do when potential Hasagas Gevul issues come before it? How does Hasagas Gevul apply in our modern, large cities nowadays? Is the prohibition of Hasagas Gevul only on the new competitor, or also on those who purchase from him?

The Shitos in the Rishonim The Baal Shem Tov and the Gra’s Shita If you hold like the Rambam and the Ramban’s Shita are you an Apikorus according to the Gra and Baal Shem Tov Is Hashem busy with the animal kimgdom? Can you do something to someone if it wasn’t preordained? Why do bad things happen in the world? What’s the point of Hishtadlus if everything is preordained? What does Hester Panim mean...

Can you visit Israel during a war due to the danger? How do hospitals deal with patients during missile alerts? Is there an obligation to go to a bomb shelter while you are learning Torah? Is it permitted to travel to and from Israel via Egypt, Jordan or Cyprus when Ben Gurion Airport is closed? Can someone in Yerushalayim travel to Bnei Brak or Tel Aviv where it’s more dangerous?

Is it prohibited to go to Minyan when the “Home Front Command” and Chief Rabbis say not to go? Can you carry a phone on Shabbos to hear the warnings of incoming missiles? Can you leave on the news (radio, TV, Internet) on Shabbos to hear what’s going on? Should we say Hamapil before sleep, since we may need to immediately head to the bomb shelter? Do you need to wash Netilas Yadayim before heading...

Why is wine touched by a non-Jew prohibited? Does this prohibition apply to a non-Jew who’s not an idol worshipper? Is this extended to a nonreligious Jew who doesn’t keep Shabbos? What is the status of someone who desecrates Shabbos but goes to shul or makes Kiddush? What is the law of someone who’s embarrassed to desecrate Shabbos in front of a prominent person? Do you need witnesses to testify...

Is using psychedelic drugs to get close to Hashem a Mitzvah or Aveira? What about for therapeutic and recreational purposes? How do psychedelics affect people and what are the side effects? Are people in the frum world really using these drugs and, if so, how broadly? How should we think about Rabbanim who use – and advise others to use – psychedelics?

Should a boy consult with his friends, like his roommate or chavrusa, if they think he should date a given girl? Is there a problem discussing the attractiveness of a potential Shidduch with friends? Have promising Shidduchim been ruined by what friends have said? Should parents be involved in the Shidduch process? And, what if the child does not want his/her parents involved? The Semichas Chaver...

Can we trust the wife she did zayin nekiiim and went to the mikvah? Can we trust their kashrus if they say things are kosher or they didn’t make the utensiks treif? Does their food have a din of פת עכו”ם ובישול עכו”ם? Is the wine they touch יין נסך? Can we serve them food knowing they won’t make a brocha or wah their hands – לפני עור? Things they cooked on Shabbos is it Assur like ?מעשה שבת If the...

Is the belief among Yeshiva bochurim that making money is easy — fact or fiction? According to Halacha, what happens when business partners fail to discuss equity upfront? What if one partner works harder or originally came up with the business idea — how should that be handled? Can you start your own business while working for someone else — and what if it’s competitive? What does it really take...

Did Conservative activists violate Geneivas Daasand Lashon Hara by secretly steering the WZO election? Is it ethical for Chareidi media to be paid to promote an anti-Eretz HaKodesh agenda? Should frum magazines vet who’s behind their ads? Can you trust a “Psak” when you don’t know the full story? How should our leaders respond now that the truth is out? What are the long-term political risks for t...

What’s the difference between this and joining the Knesset? Why’s this difference than the Moetzes pushing Avi Schnall to run specifically as a democrat? Is this the old age Hashkafic Machlokes between Satmar and Brisk VS the Agudah? Why did they stop second Seder in BMG for a political rally? Have we lost our priorities to the glitz and the glamor? Are we giving large glamorous Tzedakahs at the e...

Is it permitted to not disclose off-the-books income when applying for government benefits? What if there’s a colorable argument that you fit the criteria? Is that enough? Are there any Heterim to take funds when you don’t fit the eligibility requirements? Is putting yourself in a position that you need to take money from the government allowed? Is it le’chatchila to take government assistance in...

What is Zionism? Did it accomplish its goal? Is it good or bad for Jews? Assuming Zionism is wrong, can you vote in the WZO election? What’s the history of the concept of “Daas Torah” and what does it mean? When did the phrase and concept come into being? Why would one Gadol say it’s mutar to participate in the WZO election and another say it’s totally assur? You can order “Halachic Q & A on t...

What is it? Does the Torah agree to it? Can we have groups in our yeshivos that we are forced to have or is it better to close down? Do ends justify the means? Joining up with Ovrei Aveira Is it diffrent than sitting on the Knesset or the WZO? Should we have public forums talking about our Yetzer Hora?

What is the WZO and why is the current election important? How do the Mizrachi and Eretz Hakodesh parties differ? How should we relate to Reform and Conservative Jews? Open Orthodoxy? What lawsuits have the Reform Movement filed against Chareidim, and what’s their motivation?

What’s the most difficult Mitzvah? Fascinating sources for: Taanis Esther Costumes Purim Torah And more…..