Is Your Caffeine Kosher? (Part I)
$75.00
For some, only a serious serving of Cappucino or Esspresso can pack in a much needed energy boost for the day.
With 11,962 Starbucks locations throughout the United States, the prospect of buying coffee from your local coffee shop raises some important halachic questions.
- Part I:
Does a coffee prepared by a non-Jewish barista involve an issue of Bishul Aku”m? May one drink inside the coffee shop, or only to-go? What was the Arizal‘s unique take on the subject? Also: what is the proper Bracha on coffee beans?
(Hebrew)
In stock
Related Products
Many natural substances have psychoactive (mind-altering) properties that can significantly impact one’s mental state and affect one’s mood.
May an observant Jew avail himself of such stimulants? Is such recreation acceptable from a halachic standpoint, or does it contravene one’s Torah obligations? How would we judge actions taken while under the influence of drugs and alcohol?
See also: “The Drugs Debate” on the appropriate legislative attitude towards controlling the proliferation of potentially harmful substances.
In stock
חקר אחר תקנות חז״ל מגלה כי בין היתר תיקנו גדולי ישראל לדורותיהם גם תקנות שונות לשיפור מצב הכלכלי של עם ישראל. על ׳תקנת השוק׳ במקורות חז״ל ודברי ימי ישראל.
In stock
Harmonizing two monumental works of the Rambam, in the teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe
In stock
עם הנבחר מתייחד בתכונותיו של רחמנות וגמילות חסד. אלא שלפעמים מתווצר גם מצב הנותן משום לשאלה: האם אפשר לכוף את העשיר לנדב מהונו לצדקה? או שמא אינו תלוי אלא בנדיבות לב של כל אחד ואחד? על מצות הצדקה ותנאיה.
In stock
Machon Shmuel is proud to offer a collection of papers on a variety of topics relevant to Shavuos.
In stock
In 1903 professor Simon Newcomb argued that human flight was a “mathematical impossibility,” but that same year, the Wright Brothers successfully launched the first powered airplane.
Having your travel route shortened and arriving at your destination almost momentarily is known in Biblical terms as Kefitzas Ha-derech. It may be “naturally impossible,” but miracles do happen! From Avraham to the Baal Shem Tov, some of our greatest heroes experienced this firsthand.
Read this paper to explore this fantastic feat, its history and halachic ramifications. Have a safe trip!
(67 pages)
Submitted by a Shliach in Florida
In stock
מקדמת דנא מסורת ההלכה היהודית לקבות את המת בקרקע דוקא. אלא שחדשים מקרוב באו למצוא סמך והיתר למנהג הגויים לשרוף את המת. מאמר תגובה ומסכם על חומרת איסור שריפת גוף המת. כי קבור תקברנו.
In stock
In stock
In recent decades, thousands of Jews have gravitated to the East in pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. More recently, several Eastern Practices have been secularized, popularized, and repackaged as physical and meditative exercises. Does this make them kosher? Which practices are problematic and should be avoided? And what was the Rebbe’s response to the popularization of Yoga and Transcendental Meditation back in the '70s?
(67 pages)
Submitted by a Shliach in New York
In stock
In stock
May a congregant given a kibud pass it on to someone else? Should the honor of opening the Aron Kodesh to return the Torah be given to the same person who took out the Torah? How to navigate the pulpit rabbi’s diplomatic minefield.
In stock
רגילים אנו לציין לפרק זה או אחר בתורה. אך מי אכן עומד מאחורי חלוקה זו? שקלא וטריא על מקורה של חלוקת התורה לפרקים והתייחסותם של גדולי ישראל בעד או נגד אימוץ חלוקה זו אל תוך ספרות היהודית המסורתית.
In stock