This week in Eretz Yisrael, we read the parshiyos of Acharei and Kedoshim. Those of our readers who are in chutz la’aretz will be reading the parshiyos of Tazria and Metzora. Since both of these readings have to do with telling the truth, I am sending you: Do I Have to Tell the Truth? A [...]

Question #1: TREMENDOUSLY APPEALING! Yehudah presents the following dilemma: “I often feel pressured to pledge to the tzedakah appeals in shul; however, I am afraid that I will forget to pay afterwards. Is there a simple way to avoid creating a problem?” Question #2: BORROWERS ANONYMOUS Susan asks: “I often borrow small change from the [...]

Question #1: THE TALIS EXCHANGE Dovid asked me the following shaylah: “I placed my talis in shul and, upon returning, discovered that it had been replaced by a similar-looking talis. I left the talis undisturbed, and hung up a sign noting the exchange. Unfortunately, no one responded, and indeed, the owner may not even realize [...]

  Yonasan, who was originally adopted by non-observant parents, called me with the following shaylah: “My parents, meaning the couple who adopted me, eventually divorced, and later my father remarried, although there was a halachic problem with his second marriage. My adoptive father was a kohen, and his second wife, Martha, was a divorcee. Recently, [...]

One of the curses recorded in this week’s parsha, is against someone who moves the border. In halachic terms, hasagas gevul, moving borders also includes infringes on someone’s property rights. Does a publisher have rights protecting him so that he has the opportunity to recoup his investment? Assuming that such rights exist, do they apply [...]

This week’s parsha closes by mentioning that the daughters of Tzelafchad succeeded in finding husbands. I am certain that they had no secrets to disturb their shidduchin from happening, but what would happen if they did? Would they have been required to “spill the beans,” or could they have kept these dark secrets to themselves? [...]

  Question #1: MYSTERY IN THE COATROOM Our shul has coats, umbrellas and other items that have been sitting in the coatroom for months. We have hung notices asking people to check if they have any clothing there, but many items remain. The shul is now undergoing renovation which will ruin whatever remains. What can [...]

Andy Gross, a businessman who is proud that he is now observing mitzvos, is on time for his appointment. After a brief greeting, I ask him what brings him to my office on this beautiful morning. “I recently learned that even though the Torah prohibits paying or receiving interest, there is something called a heter [...]

  In Parshas Ki Seitzei the Torah instructs “Biyomo sitein s’charo vi’lo sa’avor alav hashemesh,” “On that day (that is, the day the work was completed) you should pay his wage, and the sun shall not set (without him receiving his payment)” (Devarim 24:15). The Torah mentions two mitzvos; a positive mitzvah (mitzvas aseh) and [...]

Question #1: After moving into a new apartment, my grandmother discovered that her next-door neighbor practices his drums every day. On some days he even has band practice in his house. When we asked the drummer to limit his hours or decrease the volume, he insisted that he has been doing this for years and that this is his livelihood. Grandma finds the noise blasting through the walls highly distressing. Can we force the neighbor to drum elsewhere?Question #3: There is always such a racket upstairs! I was certain that their kids are roller-blading or playing basketball right over my head, but their mother insists that they are just normal, active children. What may I do to improve the situation?