Beit Midrash

Nefilat Apayim without a Sefer Torah

What are the rules of when one does and does not do Nefilat Apayim (putting one’s head down and partially covering it) during Tachanun?

How to Tell When Your Tefillin Need Adjustment

[Periodically, we re-issue our discussion on the proper position of tefillin shel rosh (last time, seven years ago). Many people do not realize that tefillin extending too far forward is a far more severe problem than being slightly off center. In Living the Halachic Process, I:G-1, we develop the halacha that the end of the tefillin must not go beyond the roots of the hair of the hairline. Upon visiting different shuls, from various elements of society, it pains me to see great numbers of fine Jews who are definitely donning their tefillin wrong and many others about whom it is hard to tell, especially when they have receding hairlines. Since even some talmidei chachamim get it wrong, I assume that knowing how to apply the halacha to one’s head is a big problem. We will focus here on tricks to figure this out.]

Dessert after Birkat Hamazon

How Much Should the Mezamen Recite Aloud?

Differences of a Second Marriage

At a second marriage for both chatan and kalla, what is different from at a regular wedding?

Non-negotiated Fees

Making Sure your Check Is Cashed

There are three approaches to how to view to the halachic significance of giving a check.

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?

Mezuza for a Storage Room

I am moving into an apartment and want to know whether the storage room (in the building’s basement) requires a mezuza.

Going to and from an Aliya

Can you explain the details of how one should walk to an aliya and how and when he should return?

Mother’s Name for prayers for Ill Convert

What is the correct formula in prayers for Ill Convert

Taking Over as Chazan after Yishtabach

I was supposed to take over as chazan at Yishtabach, but I absentmindedly said Yishtabach quietly as the previous chazan was finishing Az Yashir. I quickly asked him to say Yishtabach and Chatzi Kaddish, after which I took over. Was this appropriate?

One or Two Breaths?

What should I be doing about blowing tashrat (tekia-shevarim-teruah-tekia) – with neshima achat (=na – shevarim and teruah with “one breath”) or shtei neshimot (= sn – a significant break between them)?

Does Pruzbol Ruin the Ability to Fulfill Shemittat Kesafim?

Why can’t the prz apply to everything, and I still fulfill the mitzva by voluntarily waiving my right to payment of the loan of my choice?

Fulfilling Parashat Zachor on Ki Teitzei

I heard a chumra that during a leap year, with 13 months between readings of Parashat Zachor, one should have in mind to fulfill the mitzva of zechirat Amalek during the reading of those p’sukim in Ki Teitzei. Should I do that (shuls do not usually announce it)?

Tasting Meat Liquids

When I cook for Shabbat, I like to taste the chicken soup and gravies to make sure they are properly spiced. Does that “make me fleishig”?

Chazan Having Trouble Taking Three Steps Back

As chazan, I was unable to take three steps back after my silent Shemoneh Esrei because someone was davening close behind me even when the gabbai signaled me to start chazarat hashatz. What should I have done at that point?

Visiting Egypt

I am considering sightseeing in Egypt. Need I be concerned with the Torah’s prohibition of returning to Egypt?

How Much of a Tzedaka Preference to Relatives?

I learned that one should prioritize giving tzedaka to relatives over others. I give a nice amount of tzedaka, almost exclusively out of the family (which also has a few poor people), which I feel is more altruistic. Can you explain this halacha and give some halachic guidelines?

Finding a Fruit with Kedushat Shvi’it

My wife shopped at a special kedushat shvi’it fruit distribution. A few hours later, I spotted on the walkway to our building (of seven apartments) a single fruit. I took it home and asked my wife, who said it made sense that it fell from her, but asked how we can know it is not from a neighbor who might have also bought. Do I have to put up a sign or ask neighbors (whom I trust) if it could be theirs? Is it more lenient because there is no ownership of kedushat shvi’it fruit?