JEWISH MORTGAGE COMPANIES When a person obtains a mortgage from a Jewish lender, a Heter Iska is necessary. However, many Jewish mortgage companies are merely brokers for non-Jewish banks and not the actual lenders. One may obtain a loan through the services of a brokerage company without an Iska agreement, provided that the bank that is providing the funds for the loan 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...]
Halachot of Daily Living: Laws related to Birkot HaTorah
I was up all night. Do I recite Birkot HaTorah in the morning? This is a common question on Shavu’ot. The Mishnah Berurah (47:28) writes that there is a difference of opinion among Poskim as to whether one who was awake all night recites Birkot HaTorah in the morning. The Gr”a (47:12) and P’ri Hadash (47:12) write that one does not recite a Beracha; however, the Magen … [Read more...]
Brinks Cash Flow: Windfall or Highway Robbery?
By Rabbi Yehoshua Wolfe An armored Brinks truck accidentally scattered money across a northern New Jersey highway on a recent Thursday morning, and as drivers got out of their cars to grab cash there were crashes. A windfall or highway robbery? I’m driving on the freeway and the armored truck in front of me dropped its cash. Can I pocket the money? A question few stop … [Read more...]
Paying With Fire
By: Rabbi Yosef Greenwald Who Is Responsible for the California Wildfires? The recent severe fires in northern California, with the ensuing tragic loss of life and of property, gives us all pause to reflect on the great kindness of Hashem and to realize how much we depend on Him to protect us every moment of our lives. That being said, we also can take some time to … [Read more...]