Question Two practical she'elot come up regarding fish and meat: (1) Can fish be cooked in an oven at the same time as meat that is uncovered? (2) Can fish be cooked in a pan that was used for meat? Answer The Gemara in Pesahim (76b) is the mekor for not eating fish and meat together, calling it a sakana. The Tur (YD 116) brings this Gemara and explains the sakana can … [Read more...]
Neighbor’s Fallen Tree
HaRav Yishai Natan - My neighbor has an old tree on his property that looked like it was going to fall any day. I told him that he should cut it down, because it might fall and break something. He never cut it down, and yesterday it fell into my property and destroyed my deck. I told him that now he has to pay for my deck and remove his tree from my property. He thinks he … [Read more...]
Can Women Make Havdalah?
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 men … [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 new … [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 to … [Read more...]