A Conflict of Interest June 1, 2023 Q I am a residential landlord. When a tenant signs a lease, he provides me with a security deposit, which I am legally required to deposit into an interest-bearing escrow account. I confess…
Short-Order Cooking May 18, 2023 Q Does eiruv tavshilin permit cooking on Yom Tov late in the afternoon? A Eiruv tavshilin is performed on Erev Yom Tov when Yom Tov falls on Erev Shabbos. In general, cooking on Yom Tov…
In Suspense May 18, 2023 Q There is a hammock in my backyard, hanging between two trees. May we lie in it on Shabbos? A Chazal forbade climbing on trees on Shabbos, lest one pull off a branch or a…
Reading and Righting May 11, 2023 Q Should I correct a ba’al korei’s mistake? A The Rambam (Hilchos Tfilah 12:6) writes that a ba’al korei should be corrected. Other Rishonim say to refrain, to avoid embarrassing him (Tur O.C. 142…
Lunch Meating May 4, 2023 Q I committed to buy lunch for my non-Jewish laborers, and they are requesting that I order cheeseburgers from McDonald’s. May I do so? A Combinations of meat and milk may not be eaten or…
Keeping Watch April 27, 2023 Q May I keep my watch on my wrist while wearing tefillin? A The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 27:4) writes, “There must not be any chatzitzah (obstruction) between the tefillin and one’s skin, whether the shel…
Finders Keepers April 20, 2023 Q May I discard a lost object that I found years ago but was never claimed? A Those who lose inexpensive items often don’t invest effort to retrieve them, so they remain in the finder’s possession…
Tree Line April 13, 2023 Q When may one recite birkas ha’ilanos on a flowering fruit tree? A The Gemara (Brachos 34b) says, “One who goes out in the days of Nisan and sees flowering trees recites [birkas ha’ilanos].” Some…
Triskaidekamechirah March 30, 2023 Q I understand that many rabanim perform a sale of chametz the day before Erev Pesach, in addition to the regular Erev Pesach sale. Under what circumstances should one participate in this “mechiras yud gimmel” rather…
Vehicle Inspection March 23, 2023 Q Do I need to do bedikas chametz in my car? A You must search your car for chametz, unless you are certain you didn’t bring any into it. Alternatively, you can sell the car…