Halacha Headlines

What does Hamas hope to accomplish with their psychological warfare? Should we be swapping live Hamas terrorists for the bodies of captives? Does international law or world opinion halachically govern how the IDF acts? Do the Laws of War (e.g., avoid non-combatants) mean that you can never use a weapon of mass destruction? You can pre-order “Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.c...

What does Hamas hope to accomplish with their psychological warfare? Should we be swapping live Hamas terrorists for the bodies of captives? Does international law or world opinion halachically govern how the IDF acts? Do the Laws of War (e.g., avoid non-combatants) mean that you can never use a weapon of mass destruction? You can pre-order “Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.c...

What does Hamas hope to accomplish with their psychological warfare? Should we be swapping live Hamas terrorists for the bodies of captives? Does international law or world opinion halachically govern how the IDF acts? Do the Laws of War (e.g., avoid non-combatants) mean that you can never use a weapon of mass destruction? You can pre-order “Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.c...

What does Hamas hope to accomplish with their psychological warfare? Should we be swapping live Hamas terrorists for the bodies of captives? Does international law or world opinion halachically govern how the IDF acts? Do the Laws of War (e.g., avoid non-combatants) mean that you can never use a weapon of mass destruction? You can pre-order “Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.c...

What does Hamas hope to accomplish with their psychological warfare? Should we be swapping live Hamas terrorists for the bodies of captives? Does international law or world opinion halachically govern how the IDF acts? Do the Laws of War (e.g., avoid non-combatants) mean that you can never use a weapon of mass destruction? You can pre-order “Halachic Q & A on the Job” at https://mosaicapress.c...

Is it stealing from your Kollel or employer if you regularly come late? How hard do you need to work on the job? Can you take personal phone calls, check the news, order your groceries, etc. while on the clock? Does this impact Shalom Bayis, divorce rates, shmiras ha’mitzvos and hasmada in Torah learning? How do we motivate those who don’t have motivation? You can pre-order “Halachic Q & A on...

Terumos U’Maaseros Shmitta Mitzvas Yishuv Eretz Yisroel Kevura in Eretz Yisroel Historically did Yidden live in Gaza

What are the most common issues/controversies that come up between roommates? Are there any halachic requirements to keep your place clean? Do you violate Gezel Sheina when your alarm wakes up your roommate? Can you borrow your roommates’ pots, books, pillow, toothpaste, etc. without permission? What happens with the kitchen when roommates have different standards of Kashrus?

What would cause someone to regularly disturb in shul without regard to upsetting others? How should those who disturb be dealt with? Is it impatience or mental illness when someone always pushes the Chazan to go faster? Is it okay to pace for all of davening? To evict guests from seats? To collect the Seforim during davening? Should little children be brought to shul, knowing they may disturb?

Is it Hatzalos Nefashos or is it encouraging more murder? How can you release murderers on the streets? Are you emboldening Hamas? Is it worth it to stay in good grace with the US?

Are women’s learning programs motivated by feminism and the desire for “equality”? Are women required to learn any Torah? Can they learn Zohar and Gemara? Is it preferable that women teach women? Can men attend the shiurim as well? Does a connection need to be achieved through learning Torah, or do Chesed and Tehillim groups work better?

How has parenting changed over time? What lessons do we learn from Tanach? Should a parent discipline a child when the child will ignore the parent? How does a parent stay calm when the kids are misbehaving and not listening? What if the husband and wife are not on the same page when it comes to parenting? Should kids be brought to shul if they won’t behave? Can you discipline someone else’s child...

Can you ever make a Heter Meah Rabbanim without leaving a Get in Beis Din? Is a Beis Din ever allowed to withhold the Get from the woman? In order to get the husband visitation To get the husband financial compensation To get the woman to drop criminal charges To get the woman to drop lawsuits How easy is it to get a court to deny visitation from the father? And much more…

What did Gedolei Yisrael say about this and how did they behave? Should Menorah be lit in public? Should a yarmulka be worn at work? Should we wear black hats, shtreimels and other identifying marks? Wear talis and tefillin while walking to shul? Build a Succah in a public area? Should we remove Jewish and Israel references from our resumes when trying to get a job? What are the biggest religious...

How can a child withstand peer pressure Why do some kids give in easily to peer pressure and others don’t How should parents educate their children to withstand peer pressure What are the most common peer pressures in our yeshivos and girls’ schools Why do kids and teens involved in bad behaviors want to get their peers to join them Are we obligated to avoid negative influences and make Gedarim fo...

How a Magen was forced to give a Get How the torah would view the presidential pardon of his son Is there a concept of pardons in Torah Do we find pardons in Tanach? Do you always have to be Moichel someone who wronged you? When don’t you? A fascinating conversation

What are the arguments that there’s an obligation to serve in the IDF? What are the arguments that there’s no obligation for someone learning Torah to join the army? What if the person is not learning, but is working or doing something else? What are the main challenges of a Chareidi boy/man joining the IDF? Can those issues be fully addressed? What initiatives are currently under way to address t...

Do we need to give Tzedakah to everyone who asks? Should we give to someone who refuses to work? What if you think the person asking does not look legit? What if he smokes? Or he’s an alcoholic or uses drugs?

Can a Rav ever be Meikil to prevent a more serious עבירה? Do ends ever justify the means? Is a Kiruv setting different?

What should be the goal of dating? What are the minimum interactions required by Halacha before engagement and marriage? What’s the downside of going too quickly? Of going too slowly? How clear do you need to be about what you are looking for in advance of dating? What are some great ways to get to know the other person?

Is it microblading Assur because of tattooing? Does it have to be for Avoda Zorah? Does it have to be words or picture or a mark is enough? Does it have to be permanent? How many levels of skin does it have to penetrate? Would it be Mutar for medical reasons, Shidduch reasons or even cosmetic reasons?

What are the pros and cons of a man teaching girls/women? If a Rav teaches girls/women, should there be a Mechitza? What if the Rav is not married? Can/should a Rav call female students by first name or a nickname? What Gedarim should a Rav institute for himself when teaching girls/women? How does the relationship a Rebbe has with his male students compare to that of his female students? Are there...

Are your responsibilities as a shul Rav any different during this time of year? What questions are people asking you? Is the war in Israel having an impact on you or your community? What unusual incidents have happened in your shul during The Yomim Tovim? What’s your favorite Devar Torah for Succos?

תכלה שנה עם קללותיה Combating domestic abuse in our community Showering us with Brocha Three day Yom Tov – Are you allowed to take a shower on Yom Tov? לא תעמוד על דם רעך Are you allowed to give a donut to an obese person, and other fascinating shailos