Tagged Questions
2
votes
1answer
86 views
To what extent should one not sell unkosher goods?
I know that, as a Jew, I shouldn't sell unkosher goods. So, does this mean I can't directly make profit from selling unksher goods? For example, if I work for Walmart, and some one buys pork while I ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Receiving someone else's chametz mail
Yesterday, I heard the door open and close. I went over and discovered that the mailman had delivered the mail. A magazine (which I looked forward to reading), some envelopes and a small package. I ...
2
votes
1answer
84 views
Animal testing of cosmetics and other products
To what extent does tzaar baalei chayyim--the prohibition on causing needless pain to animals--apply to animal testing of products such as cosmetics? What are the potential halachic problems for both ...
2
votes
1answer
69 views
Purchasing products that were not manufactured in a Torahdik manner?
Are there any restrictions on purchasing or using non-food products that were manufactured in violation of the Law? If so, on what grounds?
For example: A non-Jew manufactures a product, and, in ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Early bird discounts and ribbis
Are early-bird discounts ribbis? For example, "buy before March 1, 10% off", or "tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door"
Inspired by http://myparnasa.com/collecting-interest-ribbis/
6
votes
2answers
114 views
Does it matter through whom you sell your chometz?
I have seen online forms and received emails from many far-flung places offering to sell my chometz for me. I also have a competent Rabbi in my local shul who is willing to do it. No two of these ...
5
votes
1answer
36 views
Do reward tokens qualify halachically as money?
I give my children special slips of paper as a reward for good behavior (a "token economy"). They can collect these slips of paper and use them to "buy" rewards such as toys, treats, or fun ...
4
votes
1answer
69 views
Mezuzah on rental property
If you own a home that you rent out, are you obligated to place a Mezuzah (or Mezuzoth) on that property?
What if the property is attached to your home, such as a basement apartment or add-on suite?
2
votes
1answer
91 views
Can a Jew sell a sefer Torah to a non-Jew? Why or why not?
A question was raised whether a non-Jew can run a Judaica store. My thought on that was it depended on what types of judaica he sold. I doubted that a sofer would sell him mezuzah parchments, ...
5
votes
0answers
65 views
Mistake when buying ring to get married with
The following case might perhaps be too localized however I'm asking it as a theoretical question in order to understand these laws in Choshen Mishpat and Evan HaEzer better.
A Kallah (bride) went to ...
0
votes
0answers
14 views
Does one make a shehechiyanu on a leased item? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Would you make a Shehechiyanu when you lease a new car?
Does one make a shehechiyanu on a leased car or other large/expensive item?
4
votes
1answer
67 views
Women and arba minim on first day
On the first day there is a din of "lechem" ("to you") that the arba minim must belong to you. Many women will take the arba minim of their father or husband (or brother perhaps) in order to fulfill ...
5
votes
1answer
275 views
What are the halachot of Chanukat Habayit?
What are the laws and customs appertaining to chanukat habayit?
At what point, if at all, should you make a shehechiyanu; upon closing? Moving in?
Should you make a chanukat habayit on a home that ...
12
votes
3answers
144 views
If a person voids a purchase/sale, what happens to the Bracha?
You buy a new Talis and after you wear it you notice a defect. You want to return it to the store for a refund or replacement. However a person is only obligated in Tzitzis if he owns or borrows the ...
7
votes
1answer
391 views
Does casual sex establish a marriage?
Do premarital sexual relations effect Kiddushin (betrothal/first step of Jewish marriage) if there is no intention of getting married?
If so, is the physical act itself determinative of whether or ...
3
votes
0answers
130 views
Selling a house to a non Jew
Notwithstanding anti discrimination laws which may disallow a seller to only sell to other Jews exclusively. Suppose a Jewish fellow - living outside of Eretz Yisroel - lives on a block which is ...
2
votes
0answers
96 views
Buying products from store that sells avodah zarah?
What is the Halacha on buying products (not used for Avodah Zarah and not intended) from stores that sell things that can be used for Avodah Zarah?
Assuming that buying such products is forbidden, ...
6
votes
1answer
93 views
Presents on shabbas
Can one give a present on shabbas? If the answer is no, then how does it work when one eats by someones house the food one gets is a present (it is changing reshus). Sources please.
7
votes
1answer
81 views
Paying bill for aveirah already done
Is one allowed to pay a service fee for an aveirah which someone else has already done, in order to get some other good or service now? The case I had in mind is an animal adoption where the agency ...
4
votes
0answers
67 views
Are coupons for Chometz - Chometz? II
Inspired by yydl's question.
I read that in Russia where bread was unpurchasable without "bread ration cards", people would save them throughout Pesach and use them after Pesach. One such person ...
11
votes
1answer
132 views
Bagging meat with milk
Two different supermarket cashiers have expressed mild surprise at my willingness to put cold, packaged meat and cold, packaged cheese in the same shopping bag, explaining that other Jewish customers ...
7
votes
1answer
68 views
Can you rely on the cashier?
If a cashier or other low level employee makes a financial decision in your favor ("keep the change" or "I'll let you use that coupon even if it expired" etc.), without checking with a manager/owner, ...
7
votes
1answer
84 views
Why is it ok to pay the kids for the afikoman?
Most Pesach sedarim feature the afikoman hide-and-seek game; either the children steal it and ransom it back or the parents hide it and (in my experience) pay a prize to the child who finds it. At ...
3
votes
1answer
39 views
Maaser on Selling Previously Purchased Items
Many times people buy things and then later resell them. Assuming no profit was made in this sale, is there an obligation to give Maaser on the newly acquired money?
Practical examples: eBay, college ...
4
votes
2answers
100 views
In auctions today are you still obligated after being out-bid?
A mishna on Erchin 27a discusses buying land back after it has been consecrated. It says that if one offered ten selas, another twenty, etc. up to one who offered fifty, and then that last guy ...
7
votes
1answer
109 views
First-born animals today
From what I understand, the laws of "bechor behemah tehorah" (kosher first-born animal) are still in effect today, both in Israel and outside. To avoid problems with this, we sell a share of the ...
7
votes
1answer
95 views
Product liability in halacha
What does Judaism say about product liability? That is, if I sell someone a product and — because it was manufactured
poorly or
not as advertised
— the purchaser sustains damage, to ...
12
votes
1answer
156 views
How much must one do to to sign a contract?
Nowadays most software comes with a EULA. In order to install the software one must click the "agree" button. However, there are some software that says are distributed through different licenses. For ...
6
votes
2answers
143 views
Is one allowed to cancel a check?
If I give a check to someone (as a gift) and I change my mind, am I halachically allowed to cancel it, or do we say that the check is a shtar, and by signing it is considered as if I gave him the ...
14
votes
3answers
259 views
Is a contract over Chat/IM/SMS “written” or “oral”?
Halakhically, is a business transaction conducted over Chat/IM/SMS a "written" or "oral" contract?
Chat is oral-style communication in a textual medium. Does the fact that it's actually written ...
9
votes
2answers
309 views
Can an ecommerce website remain open on Shabbat?
This question is more general and doesn't apply specifically to ecommerce sites even though the discussion mentions them a little.
Specifically, we know we can't do business on Shabbat. So what is ...
8
votes
2answers
91 views
When a goel (close relative) redeems property, who actually takes possession?
The Torah describes in our parshah how, if a person is poor and has to sell his ancestral real estate, "his goel, who is closely related to him, should come and redeem his brother's sale" (Lev. ...
5
votes
1answer
219 views
Would you make a Shehechiyanu when you lease a new car?
When you purchase a new car you would make a Shehechiyanu. Would you also make a Shehechiyanu if you leased a new car?
3
votes
1answer
185 views
Chanukas Habayis
In Chutz Laaretz do you make a Chanukas Habayis? Do the Halachic requirements and process differ from in Israel?
3
votes
1answer
132 views
Selling on Amazon.com or Half.com on Shabbos or Yom Tov
There are some Rabanim that do not allow you to sell via your own website on Shabbos / Yom Tov. If you sell books on Amazon.com or Half.com where you do not collect the money nor fulfill the order on ...
1
vote
2answers
94 views
Overcharging or Undercharging (Ona'a)
The Halacha of Ona'a is that if an item was sold for more than 1/6 difference in real value the buyer and or seller can cancel the sale. How is Ona'a figured on for example fresh salmon? There are ...
2
votes
1answer
66 views
Mitzvas Kesivas Sefer Torah
If you purchase a finished Sefer Torah are you Yotzei the Mitzva of Kesivas Sefer Torah?
5
votes
3answers
234 views
5
votes
2answers
156 views
Leaving your store open on Shabbos
If you leave your store open on shabbos for your non-jewish or non-observant workers to run, and you don't make any money from it (give all profits to workers) is that ok?
1
vote
2answers
147 views
Shopping on Chol Hamoed
Shopping is forbidden on Yom Tov, so there's also presumably a prohibition on it on Chol Hamoed. What are the parameters within which it's permitted on Chol Hamoed?
4
votes
1answer
339 views
Lifting a handkerchief before signing the Ketubah?
I know at a Jewish wedding, just before the Ketubah is signed, the groom picks up a handkerchief in front of everyone. I remember this has something to do with "kinyan chalifin"; could someone please ...