by Rabbi Baruch Plaskow | Dec 24, 2014
Recently at a person’s house, we were confronted with a fascinating halachic question as to whether one may put a topping such as ketchup onto a piece of hot meat or potato on Shabbat. This question is interesting because it highlights two fundamental laws that we...
by Rabbi Baruch Plaskow | Dec 24, 2014
The Gemara declares emphatically that anything that was cooked on the eve of Shabbat can be re-cooked on Shabbat itself. There is tremendous discussion amongst the commentators as to whether this applies only to solids or as to whether the ruling also applies to...
by Rabbi Baruch Plaskow | Dec 24, 2014
The Gamara in Shabbat (113a), states that ones Shabbat clothing should be different from his weekday garments. In fact, the Yerushalmi states in the name of Rav Chanina, that one should have two separate garments; one for Shabbat and one for weekday. Do shoes...
by Rabbi Yitzchak Neria | Dec 24, 2014
The Gemara comments in Masechet Yoma that when a person´s life is in danger, Heaven forbid, Shabbat is to be violated in order to save him. The Gemara derives this halacha from the pasuk that states regarding the mitzvot, “va´chai bahem,” or “and one...
by Rabbi Baruch Plaskow | Dec 24, 2014
What a beautiful custom it is when we return from Shul on Friday night and bless our children. Could there possibly be a halachic issue with it? The answer is yes……. The Gemara in Ketubot (24b) states that a “Yisrael” (i.e. non-Kohen) that blesses Birkat Kohanim...
by Rabbi Asher Sabag | May 3, 2008
Rabbi Asher Sabag Former Shaliach in Chicago The Mishnah (BT Eruvin 61b) states: “One who lives with an idolater in a chatzeir (loosely, courtyard) or with someone who does not accept the [laws of] eruv – that [idolater] restricts him [from carrying into the...
by Rabbi Moshe Spetter | Oct 13, 2007
Rabbi Moshe Spetter Former Rosh Kollel in Washington (2000-2003) In memory of my father and teacher Dov ben Moshe, hareini kaparat mishkavo How does Judaism address the issue of raising animals? Noach saved all the animals – both the tehorim (“pure” – i.e....
by Rabbi Yitzchak Neria | Jun 23, 2007
Rabbi Yitzchak Neriya Former Rosh Kollel in Montreal The Gemara (BT Shabbat 12b) prohibits reading and learning on Shabbat by candlelight, lest one “tilt” the lamp. This refers to the fact that in those days, people used oil lamps. Chazal were concerned that if...
