Halacha, or Jewish law, touches every corner of life — from the foods we eat to the technology we use, from medical decisions to interpersonal relationships. The following articles explore halacha in depth, with clarity and rigor. As always, consult a qualified halachic authority for practical guidance.
Many of these posts first appeared in Ami Magazine, while others were first published or recorded in The Jewish Press, RJJ Journal of Contemporary Halacha, the OU’s Jewish Action, Harvard Law School, Mosaica Press, etc.
Shabbos
From Shabbos hotel halacha and the impact of permanent daylight savings on halacha to the custom of waving hands before Shabbos candles and making up missed Shabbos Mincha and Krias HaTorah, Rabbi Taub addresses practical Shabbos observance. Other Shabbos-related explorations include guns in shul on Shabbos, whipped coffee on Shabbos, coffee on Shabbos, make-up/cosmetics on Shabbos, swimming on Shabbos, smart cars and smart Shabbos, the kosher Shabbos switch, and radio and TV on Shabbos during wartime.
Yom Tov
Yom Tov and seasonal topics cover Shabbos Erev Pesach, disposable Kiddush cups and vacation shailos, the source of 18 minutes, making an early Yom Tov, a visitor to Israel on the second day of Yom Tov, the second day of Yom Tov explained, and Uman and leaving one’s wife and family for Yom Tov.
Kashrus and Food
Discussions include vegan restaurants and kashrus challenges, yak milk and Cholov Yisroel, butter and Cholov Yisroel, machine matza history and halacha, and more.
Daily Life and Other Halachic Topics
Additional halachic discussions address funeral homes and kohen rooms, kibbud av ve’im challenges, a kohen davening near a cemetery, birchas hagomel and a negative psak, waiting times for dairy after meat, mezuzos kashrus debates, deafness in halacha, ethics of war, hair transplants, end of life issues, pets in halacha, blowing out candles, halacha finer points and misconceptions, vaccines in halachic history, AI and the future halachic debates, alternative medicine, AI, robots, and minyan, AI and the future of psak halacha, may a teacher force a student to ‘snitch’, smoking in halacha, hypnosis and vape flavors kashrus, supporting local or Jewish establishments, children attending a parent’s second marriages in halacha, too much change and halachic sensitivity, copyright in halacha, favorite shailos, standing for kallah and chosson, baby naming in halacha, a fallen Torah, and egg checking.Halacha Practical Jewish Law and Contemporary Observance
