Taking Ribbit from a Non-Jew in Israel
The mishna states that it is permitted to lend money to a non-Jew with interest. However, the gemara...
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Approach to Kidney Donation
[Let me begin with a little background on the question and answer. After deciding that I wanted to...
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Receiving Credit Card Benefits on a Purchase for Someone Else
When Reuven gave money to the airline via his credit card based on Shimon’s request, it is indeed...
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Inheritance Without Ma’aser Kesafim
We praise not only your willingness to forgo inheritance if halachically required, but also that you are not...
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Ma’aser Kesafim from Proceeds of a Damage Suit Settlement
Refuah shleima! It is important to realize the nature of the practice of ma’aser kesafim. Tzedaka is a...
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Reflecting on a Socio-Religious Trend
There are a number of crucial halachic and/or social issues in the forefront of rabbinic and community discussion....
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Unintentional and Innocuous Deceit
There are different sorts of cases that are included in the broad prohibition of geneivat da’at (deceiving someone)....
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Improper “Table” Manners?
We will first take a look at the “halachic” element and then, perhaps more importantly, try to put...
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Animal Experimentation
There is a machloket in the gemara and among the poskim regarding whether the obligation to avoid tza’ar...
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Netilat Yadayim from a Chipped Cup
The gemara presents some of the rules for the kli used for netilat yadayim, including that it must...
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Paying Earlier than the Payment Plan Prescribed
Actually, the case you are asking about is easier to permit than the one that you assume is...
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Returning a Loan Affected by Currency Fluctuation
We cannot respond to the question’s “Choshen Mishpat” elements (i.e., the various monetary claims of the sides) without...
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Maintaining a Possibly Grafted Tree
The main prohibition regarding tree grafting is the actual act of grafting – i.e., inserting the branch (scion)...
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Color of the Inside of the Retzuot
The gemara states that there is a halacha l’Moshe miSinai that retzuot must be black. It then cites...
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Tefillin in Pre-Dawn Hours
There are varied opinions among the Tannaim regarding if the mitzva of tefillin fundamentally exists at night. According...
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Tefillin on a Semi-Permanent Toupee
The Rashba posits that the laws of chatzitza do not apply to the tefillin shel rosh. However, the...
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Mezuzot on Both Doorposts?
We will start with some of the basic rules/opinions regarding bal tosif. Tosafot asks how we can blow...
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Respect for the Elderly
While one should be respectful of people in general, and certainly of older people, the mitzva regarding older...
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Delayed Chanukat HaBayit
Besides making sure to fulfill house-related mitzvot such as mezuza and ma’akeh (installing a fence for one’s roof),...
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Tricking a Cheater
Cheating on a test is an example of geneivat da’at (deception), which is forbidden whether one fools a...
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Paying for Work One Refused to Pay for
In our eyes, the most important issue here is the personal, educational one. I would not be happy...
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Taking Unwanted Things against the Owner’s Will
First, let us be clear that this response is a general analysis and cannot by itself resolve your...
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How Soon Must a Guarantor Pay?
Let us first clarify the relevant terminology. There are different types of arevim, with the two main ones...
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Paying for Another Person’s Theft
Your actions and questions demonstrate noble concern for both your fellow man and the honor of HaShem, and...
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To Whom Should One Sell His Apartment?
Our response cannot cover all elements of your case or give you a conclusive ruling, without the affected...
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Supermarket Manners or Halacha?
Anything we say here is general information and does not relate in any reliable way to the specific...
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A Rabbi’s Approach to Monetary Problem Solving
We urge you to clarify with your congregants that they accept the following rules of engagement, which are...
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Answering Monetary Questions Outside of Beit Din
Our policy is based on the Rama. The Shulchan Aruch presents the basic rule of jurisprudence that one...
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Should a Chatan Daven in Shul?
There is something to what you have heard, but it has more to do with reasons not to...
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Serving as Chazan on the Shabbat Before a Yahrtzeit
Although many shuls face this issue, the best solution in each particular case depends on the available alternatives,...
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