Insufficient Funds June 15, 2023 Q Two people approached me, each seeking a $10,000 loan, but I can only lend $10,000. Should I split it between them or somehow prioritize one over the other? A Lending money to a Jew…
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…