Looking in the Mirror

Question: Regarding Hilchos Chanukah, you are probably familiar with the Biur HaGra in OC 671 who rules like the Rambam vs. Tosfos regarding lighting candles for every member of the family, since the gemara seems to go with the reason of "ma'alin b'kodesh" rather than "k'neged yamim" in bringing the opinions of the 2 zekainim. …

Question: Last week I purchased a sofa set, second-hand, from people who were about to leave the country. They told me that the sofas were leather and we agreed on a price of NIS 1200. I paid an additional NIS 240 to transport the sofas to my home. I just had an expert repairman over to give…

Question: Answer: ויאמר ד' סלחתי כדברך לאחר חטא המרגלים ד' מגלה רצונו כביכול לנטש ולהרג עם ישראל ולקיים הבטחתו לאבות דרך משה, (עיין פרק י''ד מפסוק י''א והלאה). משה רבינו טוען בעד העם שיצא חילול ש''ש, "ואמרו הגוים אשר שמעו את שמעך לאמר מבלתי יכולת ד' להביא את העם הזה אל הארץ אשר נשבע להם…

Question: Why did Yehuda sentence Tamar to death? First, since when does circumstantial evidence (her pregnancy) allow a court to sentence someone to death? Second, even if circumstantial evidence was sufficient, her only aveira was yevomo lashuk, which is a stam lav, carrying no more than malkos, unless she was regarded as a Bas Noach…

Question: Is it forbidden to look into someone else's garden just as it is forbidden to look into someone's house? Answer: It is forbidden to look into another Jew’s yard and watch the people there (Ramo, C.M. 154:3, 154:7). If your Jewish neighbor will minimize his activities as a result, it is as if you…

Question: I was offered a job as CEO of an observant Jewish company. The process includes a vote by the board to appoint me to the position. The job description includes such responsibilities such as hiring and firing of staff. Given that I am a woman, is the board permitted to make such an appointment?…