Smoke Alarm HaRav Chaim Weg August 5, 2020 Q: My neighbor has been making weekly barbecues in his backyard for several summers. My family is greatly bothered by the smoke, which forces us to close our windows. When we finally…
Sleeping Accommodations Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald July 29, 2020 Q: I enjoy listening to relatively loud music. My neighbor claims that he goes to bed at 9:30 pm and the music disturbs his sleep. Recently, I made a sheva berachos in…
Early Adopters Rav Avraham Yeshaya Cohen July 23, 2020 Q: To make “early Shabbos,” when must one daven and eat? A: There is a dispute between R' Yehuda and the Chachamim (Brachos 26a) whether shkiah (sunset) or plag hamincha…
Lend-Lease Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald July 16, 2020 Q: Due to the current pandemic, I am looking to be more economical with my vacation. Rather than rent vacation lodging, I would like to make a swap with my brother: He would…
Insect Aside July 9, 2020 Q: A large hornet’s nest on my neighbor’s roof has brought terror, and several stings, to my children. I asked the neighbor to deal with it, but he only sprayed it, to no avail. After…
Pickup Game Dayan Yehoshua Grunwald July 2, 2020 Q: On my daily commute I pass a spot where travelers wait for a bus operated by a Jewish company. May I offer to take them myself to help defray my commuting…
Inside Job Dayan Daniel Dombroff June 25, 2020 Q: I am seeking a teaching job. My sister became aware of an opportunity and contacted the school in question. She was told they had already found someone to fill the position,…
Nothing to Speak Of Excerpted and adapted from a shiur by Rav Moshe Zev Granek Send forth for yourself men, and they shall explore the Land of Canaan. Bemidbar 13:2 Rashi asks why the story of the spies is juxtaposed…
Untimely Assistance Rav Avraham Yeshaya Cohen June 18, 2020 Q: May one ask a non-Jew before Shabbos to do melacha on Shabbos? Conversely, may one ask him on Shabbos to do melacha after Shabbos? A: The answers to your questions…
Minyan Money Harav Chaim Weg June 11, 2020 Q: While davening at a backyard minyan, I noticed a man searching frantically in the grass under his chair. When he stopped, I heard him mutter, “The $500 is gone forever.” He…