Skin Color November 16, 2023 Q Must I avoid having my hand stamped when visiting a tourist attraction? A The Torah (Vayikra 19:28) forbids inscribing in one’s skin a ksovess ka’aka (tattoo), whether he does it to himself or allows…
Adapted from the writings of Dayan Yitzhak Grossman November 16, 2023 JNS reports: More than 2,000 ultra-Orthodox Israelis have asked to be enlisted in the IDF, in an unprecedented mobilization in the haredi sector. The volunteer recruitment follows Hamas’s murder…
Heircut Excerpted and adapted from a shiur by Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald November 9, 2023 And Avraham gave all that he had to Yitzchak. Bereishis 25:5 Chazal say that Avraham observed the entire Torah, including mitzvos deRabanan like eiruv…
In Other Words November 9, 2023 Q I cannot yet read or understand Hebrew well, so I have difficulty davening and saying Shma in the original. May I use English? A The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 62:2) rules that Shma may…
Adapted from the writings of Dayan Yitzhak Grossman November 9, 2023 In the previous issue we discussed the procedure of writing gittin, or authorizing the writing of gittin, for soldiers heading off to war. We noted that R’ Malkiel Tannenbaum…
Turnovers Excerpted and adapted from a shiur by Dayan Yitzhak Grossman November 2, 2023 And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we…
Blackstrap November 2, 2023 Q The black color of my tfillin retzuos (straps) is fading. At what point must I blacken them? Is special tfillin dye required, or may black shoe polish be used? May a woman or child do…
Adapted from the writings of Dayan Yitzhak Grossman November 2, 2023 R’ Asher Weiss recently discussed what he described as one of the most painful sheilos that he has been asked since the war in Gaza began: Many soldiers are…
Foodball October 26, 2023 Q May one play catch using a grapefruit or a bagel? A Food provides sustenance, and degrading it shows disregard for the goodness that Hashem bestows upon the world (Rashi, Ta’anis 20b), so Chazal instituted a…
Pain Relief Excerpted and adapted from a shiur by Dayan Yitzhak Grossman October 26, 2023 On that very day was Avraham circumcised with Yishmael his son. Bereishis 17:26 There is a dispute in the Midrash whether Avraham experienced a…