Uncategorized Archives | Rosh Yeshiva Responds

Starting Seder Earlier

28 03, 2025

Starting Seder Earlier

March 28th, 2025|Kiddush, Seudah, Havdalah, Marriage and Family, Orach Chayim, Pesach, Uncategorized|

QUESTION

What is the earliest time for the first cup for the start of the seder?

ANSWER
It is common during the summertime to bring in Shabbat early and to make kiddush and have our Friday night meal before it gets dark. This is based on the principle of tosefet Shabbat, extending the sanctity of Shabbat into the day before. However, when it comes to Pesach, many Rishonim rule that matzah may not be eaten before it is full nightfall (tzeit hakokhavim) because of a number of verses that state that matzah and the korban pesach (Pesach

22 02, 2023

Adjusting an Electronic Keypad Oven or Stove on Yom Tov

February 22nd, 2023|Moadim, Orach Chayim, Technology, Uncategorized, Yom Tov|

QUESTION

Can one raise the heat on an electronic pad-entry oven or stove on Yom Tov? I will be leaving the burner on, but just want to know if I can then raise or lower the heat.

ANSWER

I have addressed adjusting the heat on an electric stove top, which is very similar to this question.

There are two issues here—making and extinguishing a fire

Where Can an Aron Kodesh Be Put?

18 09, 2021

Where Can an Aron Kodesh Be Put?

September 18th, 2021|Uncategorized|

QUESTION

Chicago, IL

Does an aron kodesh need to have legs that connect it to the ground? Or can it be mounted onto a wall?

ANSWER

I don’t see how that should be different from an aron built into the wall which is common. The more ancient arons were not freestanding. See here – https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/ark.

The Rema on OH 154:3 does note certain requirements for what can constitute an aron:

הגה: יש אומרים דלא מקרי ארון הקודש אלא אם הוא כמין

Why Are We Doing This and Why Does it Matter?

31 01, 2019

Why Are We Doing This and Why Does it Matter?

January 31st, 2019|Uncategorized|

The enterprise of ta’amei ha’mitzvot, trying to identify the values that underlie the mitzvot, is an important although potentially dangerous one. The importance lies in the fact that it helps us actualize those values both in the performance of the mitzvot and in other areas of our lives. So, for example, if we understand that the purpose of blowing the shofar on Rosh HaShanah is to serve as a wake-up call for teshuvah, then being cognizant of this when the shofar is being blown might spur us to reflect and repent. And if we understand that the reason that the

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 5 -Different Types of Heresy and Applications for Today

28 08, 2016

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 5 -Different Types of Heresy and Applications for Today

August 28th, 2016|Uncategorized|

Executive Summary

Two classic categories of a status of disqualification are that of the Shabbat violator and the heretic. Both categories require closer investigation. Shabbat violators have been excluded in the past primarily when their violation was part of a break with the community. Today, besides the arguments for decreased culpability based on tinok she’nishba, this reality does not exist: Shabbat violators do not stand outside the community, and this status of disqualification should not be relevant.

The status of the heretic was an innovation of Rambam, and it appears that even he did not apply it consistently.

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 4 – Status of One Who Does Not Believe, Understanding Rambam

28 08, 2016

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 4 – Status of One Who Does Not Believe, Understanding Rambam

August 28th, 2016|Uncategorized|

Executive Summary

Two classic categories of a status of disqualification are that of the Shabbat violator and the heretic. Both categories require closer investigation. Shabbat violators have been excluded in the past primarily when their violation was part of a break with the community. Today, besides the arguments for decreased culpability based on tinok she’nishba, this reality does not exist: Shabbat violators do not stand outside the community, and this status of disqualification should not be relevant.

The status of the heretic was an innovation of Rambam, and it appears that even he did not apply it consistently. A close reading indicates that only

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 3 – Status of One Who Does Not Believe, in Gemara and Rambam

28 08, 2016

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 3 – Status of One Who Does Not Believe, in Gemara and Rambam

August 28th, 2016|Uncategorized|

Executive Summary

Two classic categories of a status of disqualification are that of the Shabbat violator and the heretic. Both categories require closer investigation. Shabbat violators have been excluded in the past primarily when their violation was part of a break with the community. Today, besides the arguments for decreased culpability based on tinok she’nishba, this reality does not exist: Shabbat violators do not stand outside the community, and this status of disqualification should not be relevant.

The status of the heretic was an innovation of Rambam, and it appears that even he did not apply it consistently. A close reading indicates that only

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 2 – Status of a Shabbat Violator, Historical Development and Conclusion

28 08, 2016

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 2 – Status of a Shabbat Violator, Historical Development and Conclusion

August 28th, 2016|Uncategorized|

Executive Summary

Two classic categories of a status of disqualification are that of the Shabbat violator and the heretic. Both categories require closer investigation. Shabbat violators have been excluded in the past primarily when their violation was part of a break with the community. Today, besides the arguments for decreased culpability based on tinok she’nishba, this reality does not exist: Shabbat violators do not stand outside the community, and this status of disqualification should not be relevant.

The status of the heretic was an innovation of Rambam, and it appears that even he did not apply it consistently. A close reading indicates that only

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 1 – Status of a Shabbos Violator in Rishonim and Poskim

28 08, 2016

The Status of a Non-Believer Regarding Wine and Other Matters: Part 1 – Status of a Shabbos Violator in Rishonim and Poskim

August 28th, 2016|Uncategorized|

Executive Summary

Two classic categories of a status of disqualification are that of the Shabbat violator and the heretic. Both categories require closer investigation. Shabbat violators have been excluded in the past primarily when their violation was part of a break with the community. Today, besides the arguments for decreased culpability based on tinok she’nishba, this reality does not exist: Shabbat violators do not stand outside the community, and this status of disqualification should not be relevant.

The status of the heretic was an innovation of Rambam, and it appears that even he

23 09, 2011

Mesechet Gittin: Annulling Loans During Shmita

September 23rd, 2011|Uncategorized|

The Talmud (Gittin 37b) quotes a mishna in Shivi’it (10:8) that states that when a person attempts to return a debt during Shmita, the creditor should say to him “I annul it.” But if the debtor says, “Nevertheless, I wish to return it,” then the creditor should accept the payment. The Gemara goes on to say that the debtor should be encouraged, or perhaps even pressured, to say “nevertheless” and to return the loan.

This ruling is quite startling. One

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