34 Lessons

Passover - Pesach Now I Have it, Now I Don’t
I mailed some hamantashen to a non-frum relative, well before Purim, as a “kiruv” gesture of friendship. The efficient post office has not yet delivered it. I am concerned that (1) as a result, my relative may eat chometz on Pesach; (2) I will be in violation of owning chometz on Pesach.

Pesach Sheni Pesach Sheini
Could you please review for me the order of pesach sheini night? I wanted to become Jewish before Passover, but it looks like it won’t happen. Is there any way for me to make up the korban Pesach that I will miss? I become bar mitzvah during the beginning of sefirah. Does this affect when I will bring korban pesach?

The Month of Nissan The Bracha on Blossoming Trees
May I recite birkas ilanos when I see only one blossoming tree? Must it be a fruit-bearing tree? Must I recite this bracha in the month of Nissan? I live in Australia!

Chol Hamoed Chol Hamo’eid – Weekday or Yom Tov?
: My shoes tore on Yom Tov. May I have them repaired on Chol Hamo’eid? The supermarket has something on sale on Chol Hamo’eid that I need for after Yom Tov. May I purchase it? Someone told me that Chol Hamo’eid is sometimes stricter than Shabbos. How can that be?

The Laws of Kashrut The Saga of Twelve Months
Is there any way to Kosher an expensive china set? is there any chance to eat during Pesach food that was cooked in a pot that was used once for Chametz?

Erev Pesach Erev Pesach on Shabbos Guide
This year, the first day of Pesach falls on Sunday, which means that Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos. This changes many Pesach observances. Below is a simplified guide to the practices of Erev Pesach that falls on Shabbos.

The Laws of Pesach Selling Chometz before Pesach
A room is rented to a non-Jew, because it contains the chometz that was sold to him as part of the mechiras chometz. May I enter the room in order to remove something that was not included in the sale? On an occasional emergency basis, my daughter requires use of a medicine that is not listed as being chometz-free. Should we include this medicine with what we sell to the non-Jew, and if we do, what should we do if she needs it during Pesach?

Kashrut and Kashering The Pesach Sleuth
Imagine walking into a factory, noticing the ceiling, 25 feet overhead, lined with rows upon rows of similar-looking pipes. “How am I possibly supposed to know what goes through these pipes? How can I possibly check if they have been cleaned properly, and how can I possibly kasher them?" When we purchase products for Pesach, we look for a hechsher that we respect, and we rely on that hechsher to make sure everything is done properly.

Gemilut Chasadim Being a Good Guest
The Halachic Etiquette when Visiting Someone’s House
The Halachic Etiquette when Visiting Someone’s House