Looking in the Mirror

Question: My daughters received several different types of dolls (Barbie, porcelain, etc.). If the faces look like normal human faces, do I have to do something to the face or body to avoid the problem of owning a “pesel”? Answer:No, you do not have to do anything to the dolls. Making a figure is a prohibition…

Question: My mother-in-law, who lives abroad, has a serious medical problem. She has dangerously high blood pressure, for which she has been prescribed medication and requires regular medical examinations. The problem is – whether due to psychological denial, depression, or lack of will to live – she is unwilling to comply with her medical treatment:…

Question: What is the actual mitzvoh of hachnosas kalloh? I've heard many issues discussed on this topic, such as, "If they don't have money, they shouldn't have such a wedding" or "Let the guy go out and get a job." What is considered hachnosas kalloh? Answer: Both the Beis Yosef and the Ramo agree that…

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: Sometimes bugs land on the upside-down foil trays we use for "on-top-of-a-pot" heating on shabbos mornings and cook themselves. Is there any kashrus issue with this? Answer: The suicidal bugs on your tin present no Halachic problem. Just be sure that you clean it every Saturday night so that you are not placing your…

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…