HaRav Yishai Natan - The daughters of Selofhad had no brothers, and they wanted a portion in Eres Yisrael. They were not just looking for a nice apartment or a comfortable place to live. They wanted a portion in the land so they could fulfill the Mitzvah properly, with kavanah leshem Shamayim. Many times, women also have a strong desire to perform Misvot. They see … [Read more...]
The Returned Mezuzah
HaRav Netanel Levihim - Question: I took my mezuzah off the doorpost to have it checked by a sofer. He informed me it was completely kasher. Do I need to recite a new berachah when re-installing it? Answer: The question is rooted in a broader debate about Talit. The Tur (Orah Haim, Siman 8) rules that removing a Talit with intent to return does not require a … [Read more...]
Statues, Pictures, and Sheitel Heads
HaRav Yishai Natan - Nehash HaNehoshet This week is a double parashah. Since we are a week behind Eretz Yisrael, we catch up by reading two parashiyot. In Parashat Hukat, the pasuk says that Mosheh Rabbenu made a copper snake, the Nehash Nehoshet. Whoever was bitten would look at it and be healed. This raises an obvious question: How was Mosheh Rabbenu allowed … [Read more...]
Canceling the Kallah Teacher
HaRav Yishai Natan - I hired a kallah teacher for my daughter, who is getting married soon. I asked around and heard good things about her from many people. After I had already hired her, I spoke to a close friend who told me that she used her for her daughter and did not have a good experience. She suggested that I not use her. I called the kallah teacher to cancel, … [Read more...]
Rent Paid Late?
HaRav Yishai Natan - I rent an apartment from a fellow Jew, and the rent is due on the first of each month. I often forget to pay on time, or for different reasons I end up paying a few days late. When I mentioned this to someone, he suggested that I may have been transgressing the issur of Bal Talin each time this happened. Is he correct? Am I over the averah of Bal … [Read more...]