Korach: Money
For many details of the halakha, there is a special status for money. Basically, Jewish law distinguishes three categories of value: goods, which have inherent value; a note, which is a...
Shelach: Laws of Gifts Part 2
As we mentioned last week, Rav Natan of Breslav does not take the institution of gift-giving for granted. He finds two paradoxes in this practice. One was discussed last week; the...
Beha’alotecha: Money Worries
In a number of places in halakha, we find either leniencies or strictures based on the psychological assumption that “a person is panicked over his possessions”. For example, normally it is...
Bamidbar: Shavuot as the Day of the Giving of...
One of the most fascinating halakhot of Shavuot is a halakha that isn’t: a commemoration of the historical aspect of the day, the “day of the giving of our Torah”, as...
Behar-Bechukotai: Borrowing & Hiring
In two separate places the Torah commands us to pay workers on time. “Don’t oppress your fellow, and don’t steal; don’t leave the worker’s hire with you until morning” (Vayikra 19:13);...
Emor: Business with a Torah Scholar
One prominent feature of business halacha is the variety of laws relating to doing business with a Torah scholar. If we examine these laws carefully, we will discern a number of...
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim: Dressing Up on Purim
One of the most prominent customs practiced today on Purim is to dress up in costumes, and this custom is mentioned already in the Rishonim. The Rema mentions that it is...
Tazria: Nullification of Chametz
The Torah forbids us from having chametz in our possession from noon on Pesach eve until the end of the holiday. But since the Torah states, “no chametz shall be seen...
Shemini: Customs of Mourning
After the tragic death of Nadav and Avihu, Aharon and his remaining sons are commanded to continue officiating as Kohanim, rather than conducting themselves as mourners (Vayikra 10:6). Since they are...
Tzav: Knitted Kippa
For the past two generations, it has become customary for Modern Orthodox men to wear garishly decorated knitted kipot, instead of plain fabric skullcaps as previously customary. Let us examine the...
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