Summary of Parasha & Halacha Shiur for Parashat Yitro by Dayan Shlomo Cohen We are commanded not to steal. According to Maran, who follows the Rambam, that includes stealing from a non-Jew. However, the Rama permits keeping a Hafka’at Halva’a (forgotten debt) or mistake of a Goy, unless there is a chance of Hillul Hashem. The Sm”a writes,that not paying from … [Read more...]
The Hametz Index: Owning Shares of Companies Dealing in Hametz
A Parashat Beshalah Audio 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 … [Read more...]
Casting Lots
Goral in Monetary Halacha Parasha & Halacha Shiur Summary on Parashat Bo by Rabbi Chaim Naftali Partners that want to split up a partnership into equal parts, with all the property being of equal stature, the Halacha is that they cast lots – a raffle – to ensure a fair process. The Halacha is that once one lot was picked (i.e. Reuven was assigned to Lot A, … [Read more...]
One & Only: Praying to Hashem near Avoda Zara
Summary of Parasha & Halacha Shiur on P. Va’Era, by Rabbi Ariel Ovadia The Pasuk says, that when the Barad (hailstones) hit Mitzrayim, פרעה called Moshe and begged him to remove this harsh plague. Moshe answered that he will pray to Hashem when he leaves the city. Rashi explains that Moshe couldn’t pray in the city because it was full of idols. The Terumat … [Read more...]
Tainted Milk
Notes from a Parasha & Halacha Shiur on Parashat Shemot by Rabbi Yehoshua Sova In our Parasha, Batya, daughter of Pharaoh, finds Moshe and asks his sister whether she should fetch an Egyptian nursemaid for him, to which the sister refuses. The Midrash writes that the reason she refused was because Moshe Rabbenu would grow up and speak to the Shechina, and it is … [Read more...]