There is a well-known Machlokes Rishonim as to whether the Mitzva of Sefiras haOmer is d’Oraisa or d’Rabbanan today, hinging on whether Sefira is dependent on the harvesting of the Korban haOmer that can no longer be...
לא תראה את שור אחיך או את שיו נדחים והתעלמת מהם, השב תשיבם לאחיך. ואם לא קרוב אחיך אליך ולא ידעתו, ואספתו אל תוך ביתך והיה עמך עד דרוש אחיך אותו והשבותו לו. וכן תעשה לחמורו, וכן תעשה לשמלתו, וכן תעשה לכל אבדת אחיך אשר...
Halachos of Erev Pesach[1] Ta’anis Bechorim It is customary for male firstborns to fast on Erev Pesach.[2] Nowadays, the custom is to make or join a Siyum and partake in the Seudas Mitzva, thus exempting oneself from...
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...
There has been extensive discussion of the implications of Halachic rulings by Chazal that were grounded in the scientific understanding of their time but have since been contradicted by modern scientific...
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 Mitzvos of Chodesh Adar and Purim start with the reading of the four special Parshiyos, among them Parshas Zachor, which is read on the Shabbos preceding Purim. Most opinions maintain that the obligation to hear...
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 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...
Our Beit Medrash is actively involved in some of the most comprehensive research and study of medical halacha and medical ethics in the world today.
Copyright © 2026
Hillel Kovacs
Rabbi Yosef Sprung