Can I learn Torah on Christmas day or Nittel Nacht?

Is it better to learn, or not learn Torah (playing chess) on XMS and Nittel Nacht (Yiddish: ניטל נאַכט‎)? There are two opinions (שיטות): It is a mitzvah or it is forbidden. It is a Mitzvah De’oraita It is a mitzvah de’oraita of learning Torah every day and night. After all, what’s more important — a …

I’m observing Halal, can I eat Kosher or do I become Haram?

Short answer: Yes,  Muslim’s cat eat kosher in peace. Just make sure there is no alcohol in any of the ingredients.  You’re not doing anything wrong, so you will not become Haram. Let’s understand “Halal” and “Haram” What is “halal,” and what is the term “haram,” the opposite term, and why could Muslims “make do” …

Is Cosmetic Plastic Surgery allow By Halacha?

Cosmetic Surgery – Rabbi Chaim Jachter Introduction Last week we introduced the question as to whether Halacha permits cosmetic surgery. We cited rulings by Rav Moshe Feinstein and Rav Yaakov Breisch who permitted a young woman who was experiencing difficulty finding an appropriate Shidduch to undergo cosmetic surgery to improve her appearance. This week we …

What is the Shabbos (Shabbat) Candle Time?

Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday, but the candle-lighting time is about 18 minutes before sunset. Why? Shabbat begins at sundown, and from that time on it is forbidden to perform certain activities (including lighting Shabbat candles). The Shulchan Aruch states that one should “add from the weekday onto Shabbat (Lehosif me’kodesh al chol)” . Mean, addition to …

What is Mashgiach?

A mashgiach (Hebrew: משגיח כשרות‬) is a Jew who supervises the kashrut status of a kosher establishment. A mashgiach may supervise any type of food service establishment, including slaughterhouses, food manufacturers, hotels, caterers, nursing homes, restaurants, butchers, groceries, or cooperatives. The mashgiach usually works as the on-site supervisor and inspector, representing a kosher certification agency …

Define Shatnez

Shatnez ( Hebrew שעטנז) is the prohibition in Jewish law derived from the Torah that prohibits the wearing of a fabric containing both wool and linen (linsey-woolsey); this forbidden mixture is referred to in Judaism as shatnez. The relevant parts of the Torah (Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 22:5, 22:9-11) prohibit an individual from wearing wool …