Rabbi Yosef Sprung
Question: Dear Rabbi Sprung, This year Asara b’Teves falls on a Friday. Is it Halachically acceptable to break my fast with a light meal of cake and coffee rather than a full Seudas Shabbos? Answer: The fast of Asara...
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It’s All About the Timing
There is an obligation Min haTorah to recite Krias Shema twice daily, once in the morning and again in the evening. The Gemara in Brachos (4b)adds: R’ Yehoshua ben Levi said, “Although one recited Krias Shema in Shul...
Chanuka for the (Physically) Challenged
Even if a person cannot light the Neiros without assistance, he may recite the Bracha if he performs the lighting himself, even if somebody holds and guides his hand. However, if he cannot do it on his own (for example...
“Take a Little Off the Top, Doc”
A Practical Halachic Guide to Shaving and Haircuts in the Medical Setting Shaving and haircuts are routine activities that are subject to many wide-ranging Halachos. Comprehensive Halachic knowledge is required to...
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Weighty Matters
The Gemara states (Bava Metzia 79b): The Rabbis taught: If one hires a donkey for a man to ride on, a woman may not ride it; but if it was hired for a woman, a man may ride it. Regarding a woman, [the law applies]...
Eating Matza in the Hospital on Erev Pesach sheChal b’Shabbos
When Erev Pesach falls on Shabbos, most Jewish households eat regular Challa for the Shabbos Seudos, taking care to prevent Chametz from scattering in the house and ensuring that all leftovers are discarded. Typically...
No Smoking Allowed – Even on Purim
The Phenomeno An unfortunate Purim “custom” of smoking regular or e-cigarettes has taken root among some young Bnei Torah. This is perceived to be part of the Purim celebration or as an accessory to costumes, granting...
Piskei haGaon Rav Asher Weiss Shlit”a On Hearing Aids and Other Auditory Devices
For the benefit of the public, R’ Yaakov Nirenberg Shlit”a, a member of the Beis Medrash, has compiled a summary of several as-yet unpublished rulings from haGaon Rav Asher Weiss Shlit”a concerning the use of hearing...
Bitachon and Refua: Exploring the Approaches of the Rishonim
The Heter for a physician to heal is derived from the Pasuk: “He need only give [compensation] for his loss of work and he shall surely heal (v’Rapo Y’rapei)”. This is discussed at great length in the Rishonim and...
Disputed Danger
An important principle in Hilchos Dayanim is, “Ein l’Dayan Ela Ma she’Einav Ro’os” – a Dayan can only rule based on the facts in front of him and what he believes to be correct. There are several ramifications, the most...
