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...
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...
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]...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Although there is no Issur to marry a widow me’Ikar haDin (provided that it is at least ninety days from the date of her husband’s death[1] – see Shulchan Aruch E.H. 123:1), Kabbalistic sources relate that...
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...
Breastmilk is an infant’s primary source of nourishment. For this reason, it is permissible to nurse an infant on Shabbos in any way necessary to prevent a situation of Safek Pikuach Nefesh. However, there is a...
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Rabbi Yosef Sprung