Stepping Up July 4, 2024 Q  A

Graft Rejection June 27, 2024 Q May I graft a fruit tree outside of Eretz Yisrael? May I purchase a grafted tree? A Grafting a branch onto a tree of a different species is a type of forbidden kil’ayim mixture.…

Wedding Day June 20, 2024 Q May we get married on a Friday? A The Shulchan Aruch (E.H. 64:3) cites an opinion that a Friday wedding is forbidden—because it may lead to inadvertent chillul Shabbos—but says that the prevailing minhag…

Going Green June 11, 2024 Q I purchased flowers and other plants in honor of Shavuos. May I transfer them from one vase to another on Yom Tov? A Plants that were designated for decorative use before Shabbos or Yom…

Half Note June 6, 2024 Q I observe the second half of sfirah. May I play music during the second half at the wedding of someone who keeps the first? If so, may I buy a new suit for the…

Where Does the Time Go? May 30, 2024 Q I am flying tomorrow from Australia to the US. I will cross the halachic dateline en route, so I will go back in time, departing on Wednesday but arriving on Tuesday.…

Cracked Wheat May 23, 2024 Q May a very small roll be used for lechem mishneh? What about a challah or matzah with a partial break? A The mitzvah of lechem mishneh is fulfilled by reciting hamotzi on two challos…

Does Texting Count? May 16, 2024 Q After I texted my wife a sfirah reminder, “Today is the 19th day,” I realized that I hadn’t yet counted. May I still count tonight with a bracha? A The Shulchan Aruch (O.C. 489:4)…

Defined Contribution May 9, 2024 Q My non-Jewish housekeeper put a pot of soup on the stove. By the time I noticed, it was already mostly cooked. Can I do anything to salvage it, or is it forbidden as bishul…

Half Baked April 18, 2024 Q I frequently find small folds and creases in Pesach matzos. May these be eaten? A The Rama (O.C. 461:5) forbids eating matzah kfulah (folded matzah) on Pesach, because the full intensity of the oven’s…