Looking in the Mirror

Question: Is a banana a yerek for shemittah in terms of basar lekita and in terms of issur sefichim? What about an avocado? Answer: Bananas are not included in the issur of sefichim since they will grow on the plant even after some are harvested. In this sense they are more similar to the fruit…

Question: If we use a crockpot on Shabbat, what do we need to do to it so that it is not "problematic"? Answer: In answering this question I will assume that the reader has a basic understanding of הלכות שהיה, חזרה והטמנה. First, you have to examine your crockpot and answer some questions. Does your…

Question: We have a bunch of shaymos. Can we just dig a pit in our garden and bury them? Answer: Shaymos[1] can be buried anywhere. There is no need to bury them in a cemetery. Technically, one could bury shaymos in one’s own garden. There is no minimum depth as to how deep the genizoh…

Question: Answer: כשנגלה ד' לעם ישראל בהר סיני גלה כבוד שכינתו, ולכן הזהיר אותם להגביל את ההר בכמה הגבלות. לא תגע בו יד כי סקל יסקל, רד העד בעם פן יהרסו אל ד' לראות, וגם הכהנים הנגשים אל ד' יתקדשו פן יפרץ בהם ד', והכהנים והעם אל יהרסו לעלות אל ד' פן יפרץ בם, הכל…

Question: Does a glass saltshaker require tevilla? Answer: A saltshaker that has a glass container to hold the salt and a glass cover with holes in it needs tevilla with a beracha. Salt is considered a food item, and since it comes in direct contact with the glass, it requires tevilla. A glass container that…

Question: We are moving house soon, can we ask the current owners to leave the mezuzos behind, or is it up to them to decide whether to leave them? Answer: They have to leave their mezuzos unless they or you will be painting the apartment. It is their responsibility to leave them; it is not…