Looking in the Mirror

Question: I approached the prospective seller of an apartment intending to close a deal to purchase it, only to find him seated with another person interested in the apartment. I am familiar with the principle of עני המהפך בחררה, according to which it is ethically reprehensible to snatch a deal from another Jew when I…

Question: What berochoh is said on a dish of rice with meat sauce on top or mixed together? Is it true that rice cannot be the ikor because it is an inferior type of mezonos? What if the meat is the most exciting part of the dish (what a treat!)? Does that mean the shehakol…

Question: If students have a Jewish history test on Sunday, are they permitted to study for the test on Shabbos? Answer: If students have a Jewish history test on Sunday, are they permitted to study for the test on Shabbos? It is permissible to study a Torah subject on Shabbos even if you are studying…

Question: Someone told me I must remove our dog from the room when we make kiddush and birkas hamotzi. Is this true? Is our dog muktze on Shabbos? Answer: Your dog can be in the room for kiddush and hamotzi. If someone touches the dog, he should not make the berochoh until he has washed…

Question: I learned in the Mishna Berura that one should put on one's tallis and tefillin at home and then walk to shul. The Mechaber, Ramo and M.B. are all in agreement that this is the mitzva min hamuvchar. The only heter they mention for not doing it is if one were going to walk…

Question: I work in a phone calling center and I speak with gentiles around the world. Many of the workers go by fictitious American names so that the customers can easily pronounce and spell them. For example, my phone name is Mark Shane. If a customer wants to reach me or complain about me to…