Halacha Headlines

The Graduation Where Everyone Wore a Mask Skiing, Heli Skiing, Sky Diving, Bungee Jumping, Escooters, Ebikes, Rock Climbing Is it Muttar? How do we reconcile ‘ונשמרתם מאד לנפשותיכם & שומר פתאים ה?

Is it wise to buy stocks based on a “hot tip”? When does investing cross the line into gambling? How does halacha view margin investing (borrowing money to invest)? What is the status of trading options and other derivatives? Is it permitted to invest in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies? Is there a way to realistically double your money without taking on significant risk?

Gambling has moved from casinos to our phones. FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, ESPN Bet, Kalshi, and day-trading platforms have made “action” available every minute of the day. When is risk-taking legitimate, and when does it become gambling? Is sports betting different from day trading or prediction markets? What are the dangers of addiction, wasted time, and chasing easy money?

Is there a mitzvah to live in Israel nowadays? What are the largest financial differences between living in Israel and out of Israel? What budget is necessary to come, at least for a year? What lends to being successful in moving to Israel and what are the challenges? What trade-offs do people usually face between cost, community, and lifestyle?

Is “Dati Leumi” in Israel the same at “Modern Orthodox” elsewhere? Is “Chareidi” in Israel the same as “Yeshivish” elsewhere? What are their respective views of secular studies, engaging in the modern world, and serving in the IDF? What are the most common misperceptions each has of the other, and what can each learn from the other?

A boy lost 150 pounds through Ozempic. Does he have to disclose? A girl struggles with anxiety and takes medication occasionally. Does she haveto disclose? At what stage? A boy has mild asthma controlled by an inhaler. Is that considered a medical condition requiring disclosure? A girl once had depression in college but has been stable for 5 years. Does “past history” need to be revealed? A boy’s...

What financial conversations absolutely need to happen before a couple gets married — beyond just “how much money do we have”? What are the most common financial disagreements between couples? How can couples get control of their finances instead of constantly living “in the red”? When spouses come from very different financial backgrounds or mindsets, can those differences realistically be bridge...

SCP Shavuos Challenge 5786 is here!🔥🎉 Sign up and download material here: Bit.ly/SCPchallenge Is there an obligation to keep healthy? If yes what is the source? Does a spouse have a say in your health? Can you stop your spouse from donating a kidney etc? Can you take ozempic if isn’t doesnt have enough testing what the long-term side effects can be? Or can it be taken even if it has doing some s...

What does it mean to be “ready” for marriage? What’s currently taught to chassanim and kallos – and what’s still missing? Are too many singles entering marriage with unrealistic expectations? Which common marital struggles could be prevented through better preparation?

Find out from farmers what percent of grain in circulation is Chodosh How to practically keep Yoshon Can we rely on a dream of the Baal Shem Tov in Halacha? Is the dream accurate? What’s called a Shaas Hadchak? Was the Heter only based on Shaas HaDchak? Does it make sense to be Machmir on Cholov Yisroel and be Meikel on Chodosh? Can you be Makpid on Chodosh only when you are home? And much more……

Are there halachic caps or guidelines on salaries and benefits? Does nepotism ever become a legal or halachic problem? What constitutes “reasonable compensation” for operators of religious non-profits? Can money be taken out in indirect ways, such as consulting fees?

Why do we rely on leniency these day when the Heter was due to שעת הדחק and we don’t have a shortage of food? If the Heter is based on Safek, nowadays the Safek is verifiable and can’t be relied upon If a store has information posted that it’s not Yoshon – there’s no Safek at all – what do people rely on? Why are people making on Stam Cholov which is maybe a Safek Derabbanan and not on this? If a...

How has the role of being a Rav changed due to the war? What should a shul’s policy be when a siren goes off during davening? How are people doing emotionally with the constant sirens, sleep deprivation and stress? What are the most interesting or unusual halachic questions that were asked during the war?

Do we also receive a Neshamah Yeseirah on Yom Tov? Does it have any effect on our capacity to eat? Is there any medical or scientific basis for the claim that calories are “absorbed” by the Neshamah Yeseirah and therefore don’t count on Shabbos and Yom Tov? What are some practical ways to manage our eating on Pesach while still fully enjoying the Yom Tov? Sign-up to jog or walk with Coach K at: ht...

What makes gambling so alluring, and how widespread is it? To what extent is gambling linked to following professional sports? What strategies are effective in helping someone quit gambling? Should watching professional sports be banned? If a child uses a parent’s credit card to gamble without permission, is that considered stealing? Halachically speaking, is the parent responsible for charges mad...

Does collateral damage in war have a limit – can you destroy a missile base that will kill many civilians in the town nearby. Can you hit a nuclear reactor that will contaminate millions? Are citizens who support the regime considered combatants? What Issurim can you be Doche because of mental health – using phones on Shabbos, or other electric devices that will calm them down? Does Iran have a Di...

Can a family member who is less qualified be hired before a more qualified candidate? Must admissions be based on merit? When is nepotism allowed? Can the Menahel/Principal keep any donations (bribes?) made to him personally? What if they are non-monetary, like expensive liquor, a new megillah, etc. Can the son of the Menahel sell access to his father?

Is failure to disclose a significant personality disorder considered a mekach ta’us in marriage? Are there halachos guiding how to treat one’s spouse during divorce, especially in high-conflict cases? When is it appropriate to turn to secular courts during divorce proceedings – for example, to obtain a restraining order against a spouse? Can refusal to go to the mikveh be considered a halachic vio...

What’s the best path for serving Hashem in our generation? Does it have to be one or the other? Can it be a combination?

Does the historical precedent against it prohibit change? Does is violate our Mesorah? Is the Israeli Supreme Court’s push for women’s Rabbanut Semicha a religious goal or part of a broader feminist push?

How does coming to Israel for yeshiva and seminary affect a student’s mental health? When do difficult emotional feelings cross the line from normal struggles to something that should be addressed? Should a student who believes another is emotionally unstable report that behavior to the school administration? What are the key similarities and differences in how boys and girls experience stress, an...

Do you need a human mind for Psak? Do you need Shimush? Do you need human emotion for Psak? Can a computer be called שופט שבימיך? And much more…… Why would there be a Kol Korah against AI?

What practical strategies can help us reduce phone usage and establish healthy boundaries? Does someone need to stop usage fully or can partial solutions be effective? What behaviors can we change in as little as thirty days? Does it last? To sign up for the Headlines “30-day Phone Challenge”: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EAGHMhEm2mQ4ilA7FTNXby To donate for Rav Zev Leff’s Haggada Set – https://pay.b...

· Can a cellphone be used in shul for non-tefillah purposes? · Does mindless scrolling on a phone constitute an issur of bitul zman? · Is it preferable to daven from a physical siddur rather than from a phone? · How do our phones affect our relationships with our spouse, children, and friends? · What practical strategies can help us reduce usage and establish healthy boundaries?

Is it possible to determine that an abuser is no longer a risk? What’s the success rate of treating serious abusers? Why do community leaders sometimes advocate for the early release of an abuser? How does halacha view cases where a Jewish prisoner receives a disproportionate sentence? Should the community celebrate someone’s release from prison?