By: Rabbi Yitzhak Grossman Maran, the Shulchan Aruch (CM 67:1) rules clearly, in accordance with the Rambam, that Shemitat Kesafim is an obligation, even in our times, albeit rabbinical. The Rama however mentions that the custom in Europe was to rely on the poskim that it is not an obligation, an opinion reiterated by modern day poskim such as HaRav Moshe Feinstein zt"l, … [Read more...]

Shiur Summary by Dayan Shlomo Cohen We are not allowed to own any Hametz over Pessah. The custom in most communities today is to sell the Hametz in our possession to a non-Jew over Pessah. What happens if you own shares in companies that deal with Hametz? Let us explain how corporations work. According to law, a corporation is considered to be a separate entity, apart from … [Read more...]

Parasha & Halacha Shiur Summary by Rabbi Yehoshua Sova The Midrash Rabba in Rut says that Hashem has mercy over someone who must be afflicted with Tzara’at, and therefore the Tzara’at first appears on the house, then on the clothing, and finally on his own body. We see the importance of clothing, which stand between a person and affliction, as the Gemara refers to … [Read more...]

An Overview of a Shiur by Rav Yosef Greenwald for Parashat Tazria/HaHodesh (החודש הזה לכם ראש חדשים (שמות יב:א Where is the Date Line located according to halacha? Three basic approaches are offered. Hazon Ish: 6 hours (90 degrees) ahead of Yerushalayim, which runs through Siberia, part of China, and part of Australia (though continuous land masses are not divided … [Read more...]

Parasha and Halacha Shiur Summary on P. Shemini, by Dayan Shlomo Cohen The Jewish method of slaughter has been under attack for many years in Europe. In Switzerland it is forbidden, and the EU has a recommendation that animals be pre-stunned (which is a Halachic issue, as we shall see). So is Shehita, the Jewish ritual slaughter, humane? Firstly, we must note that everyone … [Read more...]