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: Answer: למחנ''א שלוחין סימן י''א דין יד פועל כיד בעה''ב דמי ליד עבד כיד רבו שגופם קנוי לרבם דשכירות הוי ממכר ליומיה, וממילא קנינו של פועל מהני לרבו אף שהוא חב לאחרים. וממילא פועל א''צ לכוין לזכות לבעה''ב ואף אם מכוין לזכות לעצמו מהני משא''כ בשליחות דלא מהני בחב לאחרים או כשמכוין לזכות…
Question: I just got a new toaster, and when I was going to open it, I discovered that the screw head is not a standard one; I'll need a Torx® Key to open it. In case you don't know, a Torx® key is exactly like a screwdriver, except that instead of a flat head or…
Question: A friend borrowed some money and I have a signed document to prove it. I have decided to forgo the debt and let my friend keep it as a monetary gift. I have drafted a letter and wish to deliver it: Dear Friend, I have decided to waive my right to collect the loan…
Question: My friends were in a store at the Malcha mall in Jerusalem and the clerk in a certain store told them that a customer left two brand new books in their store and they weren't able to return them to this anonymous customer since they didn't know who it was. They put up a…
Question: Do inedible peels of shemittoh fruit (e.g., melons) have kedushas shevi'is? The peels could be eaten by rabbits or other pet rodents – but if nobody in my area has pets to which they would feed them, can we treat the peels as if they came from non-kedushas shevi'is fruit (assuming we can cut…
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: Strangely enough, a scallion plant sprouted in the middle of our lawn after Rosh Hashonoh. I have no idea when it took root, but chances are it was before Rosh Hashonoh (I am guessing it came in with the grass). Due to the uncertainty, should I assume that issur sefichim applies to it? If…
Question: My wife is a nidoh. Can I ask my kids to pass the wine to her on Friday night after I make Kiddush? Answer: Passing a cup of wine to one's wife when she is a nidoh is subject to a special set of rules. There are laws governing passing items in general to…
Question: My fiancée and I were both married previously in different countries and are divorced. Now we wish to start a life together here in Eretz Yisroel and we are unsure of the local customs. What is the usual custom in Eretz Yisroel for choosing a mesader kiddushin? (My kalloh says that in the US…