DOES EATING OLIVES CAUSE MEMORY LOSS?

Single-handle faucets have lately gained popularity over two-handle ones. Whereas two-handle faucets have dedicated hot and cold water handles that control the hot and cold water, single-handle—or lever-style—faucets control both the hot and cold water flow with the same handle. Turning on the single handle faucets releases a mixture of cold and hot water unless pushed all the way to one direction. This poses a problem on Shabbos.

Click to read more ...

ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF JEWISH LINEAGE

When a Shabbos Sheva Brachos takes place at Shalosh Seudos time, a problem arises in case it runs past shkiah (sunset). At a regular Shalosh Seudos, which traditionally ends after shkiah, the wine of the kos (cup) of bentching may not be drunk before Havdala, and is used instead after Maariv for making Havdala. At a Sheva Brachos, two cups of wine are poured: one is used for bentching and the other cup of wine is used for Sheva Brachos.

Click to read more ...

HOW TO SERVE ICE CREAM AND A HOT CAKE ON SHABBOS

mohel (professional Jewish circumciser) should not request payment for the act of performing a circumcision, since he is performing a mitzvah. In fact, poskim tell us that we should reprimand a mohel who does so. If a mohel insists on being paid, it’s an indication that he is not a member of the Jewish nation whose trademark is compassion.

Click to read more ...

SNOW IN HALACHA

According to some poskim, snow that falls on Shabbos is muktzeh, but if it fell before Shabbos, it isn’t.

Click to read more ...

KOSHER SKATING RINKS

The prohibition against mixed dancing, as well as its terrible repercussions, is well-known. Similarly, mixed swimming is absolutely forbidden according to halacha, and poskim have harsh words to say regarding a man swimming among women, and vice versa. Likewise, exercising in a mixed crowd is unacceptable; separate hours for men and women are a must. The same is true for ice skating and rollerblading, which may not be done unless the venue has separate areas or hours for men and women.

Click to read more ...

SOLVING THE FAITH-REASONING CONUNDRUM

Selected Halachos from the “One Minute Halacha” project

Click to read more ...

DON’T EAT WITHOUT DRINKING

Selected Halachos from the “One Minute Halacha” project

Click to read more ...

DON’T STARE

The Torah enjoins us against tormenting an eved ivri (Jewish slave) with avodas perech (backbreaking labor); this includes giving the slave avoda sh’ein lah kitzvah (work with no discernible end), or work that serves no real purpose other than keeping him occupied. This raises the question whether an employer who sees that his employees are idling may assign them pointless work in order to keep them busy; does the prohibition of avodas perech apply in a work environment as well?

Click to read more ...

THE MOHEL’S RESUME

The Arizal taught that Mikra, Torah Sh’Bichsav (the Written Torah) should not be read at night. However, translating the Chumash into any other language, and especially learning Chumash with the commentary of Rashi—which is Torah She’be’al Peh (the Oral Torah)—is permissible at night.

Click to read more ...

MAY I RECITE KIDDUSH IN FRONT OF A WOMAN’S UNCOVERED HAIR

What is the purpose of the additional t’fillos (prayers) in Maariv (the evening prayer) of Motzaei Shabbos?

Click to read more ...

WHO REALLY OWNS YOUR ASSETS?

Many affluent individuals enjoy displaying their impressive library of sefarim (holy books). Some house so many books—with the shelves reaching from floor to ceiling and stretching from wall to wall—that their libraries are worth millions!

Click to read more ...

DON’T SMILE: YOU’RE ON CCTV

If one wishes to attend a dinner or Melaveh Malka for the benefit of a mosad (a religious institution), and they would like to pay using maaser money, they must first assess the dollar amount they would ascribe to the pleasure derived from such an event, including the food and the entertainment. (Other factors such as the market value or the mosad’s actual costs are irrelevant.) That amount must come out of their pocket, and anything beyond that may indeed be taken from maaser money, since it’s purely to support the cause.

Click to read more ...

USING MAASER MONEY FOR OTHER COMMITMENTS

Some kosher products, such as whipped cream, come in spray cans which bear a warning to consult a rav before using on Shabbos. One issue relevant to whipped cream may be creating a specialty shape on Shabbos, which violates the malacha of bone (construction).

Click to read more ...