Lessons on The Melachot

articles on The Melachot

Child Riding a Bicycle on Shabbat

May a child ride a bicycle on Shabbat in a place that has aneiruv?

Killing bugs on Shabbat

is it permitted to kill or get rid of bugs on Shabbat for health and bothering reasons?

Opening juice and milk cartons on Shabbat

May one open large juice cartons or milk containers on Shabbat when it involves puncturing a hole in order to open it?

Peeling Fruit on Shabbat

Can one bite into a fruit, such as a grapefruit peel, in order to start peeling it for immediate usage on Shabbat and/or Yom Tov?

Paying a Babysitter for Work on Shabbat

We need a babysitter for a few hours on Shabbat. Is there a problem paying her for Shabbat work?

Rabbi Daniel Mann | 4 Kislev 5783

Responsive Baby Bassinet

There is a special bassinet that provides motion and soothing noise and reacts to an infant’s crying by intensifying them. Is it permitted to use this bassinet on Shabbat, and if so, are there special instructions?

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Sivan 23 5782

Raffle on Shabbat

May one hold a raffle on Shabbat?

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Adar II 19 5782

Batim of Tefillin on the Floor on Shabbat

The “retired” tefillin batim (in which the parshiyot go) I keep in a closet fell to the floor on Shabbat, inside a flimsy plastic bag. I intuited that it was better to pick them up than to leave them in disgrace on the floor. Was that correct?

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Adar II 12 5782

Warming Food on Shabbos

May I warm food on Shabbos by putting it near the stove?May I take a kugel from the refrigerator on Shabbos morning and place it on the cholent pot to warm?

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Adar I 13 5782

Using Hot Water on Shabbat

May I use my hot water on Shabbat since I have the boiler on a timer to go on every morning before I wake up? If this arrangement is unacceptable, please suggest a permitted one.

Rabbi Daniel Mann | Shvat 22 5782

Staining Matters

On Shabbos, must I try not to stain my clothes? May I freshen my lipstick on Shabbos? Does bleaching out color violate the Melacha of dyeing?

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Tevet 25 5782

Taking Medicine to Facilitate Mitzvot

Last Friday, I developed minor nasal issues, resembling my allergies. I figured that if I take my allergy medicine and wake up symptom-free, I can assume it was allergies. Was I permitted to take it (nasal spray) on Shabbat?

Rabbi Daniel Mann | KIslev 10 5782

36 Lessons on The Melachot

Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Zt"l
Rabbi Uri Sharki
Rabbi David Chai Hacohen
Rabbi Uzi Kalchaim zt"l
Rabbi Chaim Drukman
Rabbi Yehuda Melamed
Rabbi S. Yossef Weitzen
Rabbi Berel Wein
Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu

The Reading of the Torah

What Do We Do When No Kohen Is Present for Torah Reading?

Rabbi Stewart Weiss | Iyar 2 5782

Prayer

Days on Which Tachanun Is Not Recited

Chapter Twenty One-Part Three

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775

Laws of Shabbat

Writing on Shabbat

May I write my initials on a frosty window on Shabbos?, May I communicate with someone on Shabbos by making the motions of writing the letters?

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

Happy Occasions

Explaining the Customs of Bris Milah

The mitzvah of Bris Milah has been enhanced by many beautiful customs. We will explain the background of these minhagim in the course of a guide to the honors bestowed during a bris and the steps of a bris procedure.

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff

Basics of Financial Laws

How Does a Heter Iska Work?

What is the prohibition of "Ribbit"? who does it apply on? How does the "Heter Iska" bypass the prohibition? and more...

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5770

Kdoshim

Paying Workers on Time - The Mitzvah of “bal talin”

Halachot of paying workers on time in various situations in our days.

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5770

Miketz

The Spirit of Hashem in Them

Various Rabbis | 2 Tevet 5770

Shofar Blowing

When Tekias Shofar Goes Wrong

Various Halachot of the Shofar blowing, The Seder of the T'kiot, How long should the Tkiah, Truah and Shevarim be? Halachot of woman with Shofar blowing and more...

Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5768

The Torah Perspective

Secular Zionism in the Eyes of Rav Kook.

How can we understand the rebellion against religion over the past century? What does the world gain spiritually from this rebellion which was foreseen in the mishna 1,800 years ago as part of the period preceding the mashiach? Only after we understand the rebellion can we glean the benefit and relate to our brothers properly.

Rabbi Ari Shvat | 5769

Berachot - Blessings

“Hatov Vehametiv”

Wine is unique in that it not only satiates, it also gladdens the heart. Each type of wine has its own unique character, and when additional types of wine are consumed in company there is greater joy - and therefore a special blessing is recited.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5769

Marriage and Relationships

The Role of Parents in Marriage

Today, parents can fulfill the commandment of marrying off their children by providing them with a good education at prestigious schools, supporting them so that they be able to learn a profession, and clothing them in attractive attire.

Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5764

Jerusalem Day

The Crowns of Jerusalem

Jerusalem’s eminence stems from its being the city of the Holy Temple, the home of the kingdom of Israel, and the Torah center of the world. In liberating Jerusalem we merited advancing toward the full revelation of the greatness of the Holy City.

Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed | Iyar 5763