Although the Gemara and Rishonim rule unambiguously that one may only violate Shabbos for the Pikuach Nefesh of a Yisrael, not for a Nachri, the Chasam Sofer’s ruling on this matter is well known (Shu”t 2:131): if there...
Most intravenous infusions come as ready-to-administer liquids, but some medications are unstable in liquid form and must be diluted immediately before use. The medication comes as a powder and is prepared for use...
Among the theological paradoxes of our faith is that while it is elemental that anything that befalls a person is decreed in Heaven, a person is nevertheless obligated to actively guard his health (as we have discussed...
Fasting Pills on Shabbos Erev Tisha b’Av [We are interrupting the discussion of Mumin and Kohanim as this essay is particularly relevant this week. We will return to that topic next week.] There is a growing...
Beshalach 5780 “See that Hashem has given you the Shabbos; that is why He gives you on the sixth day a two-day portion of bread. Let every man remain in his place; let no man leave his place on the seventh day.” (Shemos...
Measuring is one of the Issurim d’Rabbanan that Chazal forbade on Shabbos. The Rishonim are divided as to how to define this Issur. According to most opinions, it is considered “Uvdin d’Chol” – an activity...
Vayigash 5781 And the sons of Shimon: Yemuel, Yamin, Ohad, Yachin, Zohar, and Shaul, son of the Canaanite woman. (Bereishis 46:10) Who was “Shaul, son of the Canaanite woman”? Chaza”l reveal that he was the son born to...
Recently, a scandal at Asuta Hospital in Rishon l’Tzion attracted public attention. Genetic testing of a fetus conceived through in vitro fertilization led to the shocking discovery that there was no genetic...
This essay will discuss the fascinating Halacha of eating fish and milk together, though the focus of the discussion intriguingly does not relate to Halachic minutiae but to whether the Halacha exists at all! Does this...
Certain medical conditions or trauma can rob a person of the ability to speak. This impacts not only interpersonal communication and relations but also interactions Bein Adam laMakom as speech is an integral part of so...
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Hillel Kovacs
Rabbi Yosef Sprung