by Rabbi Moshe Spetter | Jun 16, 2007
During the summer months, Shabbat starts late, which can be difficult for families with younger children, who tend to either fall asleep before their father comes home from shul or be tired during the entire meal. Therefore, many people accept Shabbat early. Where...
by Rabbi Yehuda David | May 26, 2007
Rabbi Yehuda David Former Rosh Kollel in Dayton Introduction – Day and Night in Judaism The Source of the Mitzvah of Tosefet Shabbat The Duration of the Mitzvah Practical Conclusions In this article we will explore, with God’s help, the source of the...
by Howard Jackson | Sep 15, 2006
It was taught in a Beraita[1]: One may not read by lamplight (on Shabbat) lest he tilt the lamp [2]. Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha said: “I will read by lamplight and I will not tilt the lamp.” It once occurred that he was reading by lamplight on Shabbat and sought to...
by Howard Jackson | Jul 1, 2006
Shmuel and Avleit (a gentile astrologer) were sitting together as some men were going to a swamp to cut reeds. Avleit said: “This man will go but he will not come back; a snake will bite him and he will die.” Shmuel responded: “If he is a Jew, he will go and come...
by Rabbi Moshe Spetter | Jun 24, 2006
The question of deriving benefit (hana’ah) from Shabbat desecration (chilul Shabbat) arises in both routine cases as well as in uncommon situations. Are we permitted to benefit from a light that was turned on either unintentionally (bishogeg) or intentionally...
by Rabbi Nechemya Taylor | Jan 14, 2006
Which foods may be reheated on Shabbat, and which may not? For those which one may reheat, how should one do it? When we deal with reheating food on Shabbat, there are several halakhic problems.: 1) Cooking. This is one of the 39 categories of Torah-prohibited...
by Rabbi Moshe Spetter | Sep 9, 2005
Question: A new water fountain was installed on the lawn outside the dining room. When one presses the tap, the water falls onto the body of the fountain fitting, flows down to the concrete base, from there onto the gravel, and then seeps down into the ground. Is it...
by Rabbi Moshe Spetter | Jul 25, 2005
“Inscribing two letters” and “erasing in order to write two letters” are counted among the 39 categories of “melakha” (creative labor) that are forbidden by Torah law on Shabbat. According to the biblical law, these prohibitions apply only where the writing in...
by Rabbi Moshe Spetter | Jul 1, 2005
First of all, a comment on swimming in general: the obligation of exercising caution – “You shall guard your lives carefully” – requires that we avoid situations of danger. Hence, a person should not swim in the sea in a place where there is no lifeguard, and...
by Rabbi Moshe Aberman | Dec 31, 2004
Rav Moshe Aberman Former Rosh Kollel in Chicago In several of our previous articles we have discussed details of the laws of kidush and havdalah, in this article we will attempt to understand the status of women in the framework of these halachot. At first...
