Constructive Criticism Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald February 18, 2021 Q My window shades fell down on Shabbos. Would I have been permitted to rehang them? A One of the 39 melachos of Shabbos is boneh (building). In addition to new construction, the melacha includes repairing or…
Contract of Horseless Carriage Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald February 11, 2021 Q If I pass a man struggling to start his car in his driveway in the morning, am I obligated to assist him? A There is a mitzvah in the…
A Point of Order Dayan Yosef Greenwald February 4, 2021 Q On the 15th of Shevat, I made a borei pri ha’eitz and then a shehecheyanu on a new fruit. Was this the correct sequence? A The Shulchan Aruch…
The Lost Ledger Harav Chaim Weg January 28, 2021 Q My local grocery extends credit to their regular customers, and I take advantage of this from time to time. Whenever I have extra cash, I pay down my debt.…
Seizure Salad Dayan Daniel Dombroff January 21, 2021 Q In my yeshiva, lunch is served after Mincha. My Shemoneh Esrei tends to run long, and some of the lunch items are often gone by the time I arrive. May I…
Knot Allowed Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald January 14, 2021 Q Last Shabbos night, while trying to untie my shoes, I mistakenly knotted them (an X over an X). Not knowing whether I was allowed to untie them, I slept in my…
Swelling Bee Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald Q My son was stung by a bee on Shabbos. What may I do for him? A If the victim is known to be allergic to the insect’s venom or displays symptoms of an allergic…
Bee, My Guest December 31, 2020 Q: A bee entered my home on Shabbos and my children were terrified. Would we have been permitted to trap or swat it? A: One of the 39 prohibited melachos of Shabbos is tzod…
In the Light of Day Dayan Yosef Greenwald December 10, 2020 Q: I am in a facility where I will be unable to light Chanukah lights and unlikely to see any. May I make the bracha of shehecheyanu on the holiday?…
Packaged Pachyderm HaRav Chaim Weg December 3, 2020 Q: I ordered an elephant-skin talis bag from a Jewish dealer in South Africa for $800, which I paid in full by credit card. Usually, this dealer sends his goods to American…