May I Rent a Property to a Church?
Rabbi Yosef Kushner Question: I have a building and I’m looking for a tenant. A church contacted me and wants to rent it. Am I allowed to rent to them? Answer: While it is forbidden to derive any benefit from…
Is It Permitted to Enter a Conservative Temple
Rav Yosef Kushner Question: We said that it is forbidden to enter a house of avodah zara. What about a house of “meenus”, heresy, such as a Conservative temple? Answer: The word “meenus” is used to refer to a…
Can Someone Send a Non-Jewish Worker Into a Church?
Rabbi Yosef Kushner Question: A Jew who purchases a building that contains a church may not enter the church. Is he allowed to send his worker to enter the church in his stead? Answer: If the worker is Jewish, he…
Is it always forbidden to walk into a church?
Rabbi Yosef Kushner Question: We all know that a Jew shouldn’t enter a house of avodah zara. But what if he is going in for reason unrelated to religion, such as to meet someone there? Is that also prohibited? …
What is The General Outlook a Jew Should Have Regarding Doing Business With Avodah Zara?
Rav Yosef Kushner Question: Is there a general approach a Jewish person should have about doing business with houses of avodah zara? Answer: There is a common phrase used by many Poskim – including the Shach, Taz and Rav Moshe…
How Is Avodah Zara Defined?
Rabbi Yosef Kushner Question : How would we define what constitutes avodah zara today? Answer: To give a broad definition: Avodah zara means any religious worship to any deity other than Hashem. In today’s times, this generally refers to Christianity. …
What Should People be Careful About At Corporate Parties?
Question: What should people be careful about at corporate parties that are attended by both men and women? Answer: Obviously, one must make sure that the food is kosher, and one must also make sure that the environment is kosher,…
Can a Boss Ask His Secretary to Make Him a Cup of Coffee
Rav Yosef Jacobovits Question: Can a boss ask his secretary to make him a cup of coffee? Answer: There is a halacha that forbids a woman to pour a drink for an unrelated man. While most Poskim say that this refers…
Is a Man Permitted to Go on a Bus If He May Inadvertently Bump Into a Woman?
Question 1: Is a man permitted to ride on a crowded bus or train if he knows that he may inadvertently bump into a woman? Answer 1: This question was asked to Rav Moshe Feinstein by a young man who…
How Should Men and Women Interact in the Office?
Question: What are some general guidelines for appropriate interactions between men and women in the workplace? Answer: In general, conversations should be reserved for work-related matters. That doesn’t mean you literally have to measure every single word you say, but,…