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Mother of Royalty $39.00
The circumstances surrounding the birth of King David remain obscure. Legend has it that Nitzeves endured great personal sacrifice in mothering the Sweet Singer of Israel. How is this chapter in King David’s life understood through the lenses of Torah scholarship?
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Motion Sensors on Shabbos (Sources) $75.00
The popularity of Smart Sensors is on the rise. As more aspects of ordinary life are administered by electronic mechanisms, many practical questions are raised about how observant Jewish life is impacted by the new technology.
When the stairwell lights only turn on when sensing your presence, can you use them on Shabbos? What about the inadvertent motion that triggers a neighbors’ outdoor lights? Can you be present in a room that is monitored by closed-circuit surveillance cameras?
A summary and index of the major contemporary Poskim on this issue.
See also: “An Uplifting Shabbos” on the general issue of Electricity and Shabbos.
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Multiple Minyanim for Mourners $75.00
Jews honor the memory of deceased parents by leading the prayer services and reciting the Kaddish.
What happens when there are multiple mourners but only one Minyan to lead? Who takes precedence? If there are enough congregants to accommodate a unique Minyan for each of the mourners, does the principle of Berov Am trump the mourners obligation to honor their deceased?
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My Heart Is in the West – Praying Toward Yerushalayim $39.00
Must a shul always face the Holy Land? What are the reasons behind this famous tradition? And if the shul was already built facing another direction, must it be changed?
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Mysterious Misdeed: Making Sense of Mei Merivah $75.00
Formulated as a series of answers, rebuttals and rejoinders, the information in this document will be invaluable to you when studying this important subject. Why did G-d instruct Moshe to take the Staff? If he was not to strike the rock, why did it issue forth water? How could Moshe defy G-d’s explicit instructions?
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Not All Wine Is Fine $75.00
A detailed look at the history and laws of yayin nesech. Can an irreligious Jew render wine yayin nesech? Is pouring wine part of the prohibition? What difference does pasteurization make?
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Old Worshippers and Timeless Prayer $39.00
A minyan of seniors, a common occurrence at old age homes, can be challenging. What does Jewish law say about seniors sleeping during the prayers, or seniors who are unable or unwilling to actively participate in the services?
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Opsherenish: The Origins of a Jewish Boy’s First Hair Cut $39.00
Many Jews won’t cut a boy’s hair until he is three years old. What is the history of this custom? What lessons does it hold for us? And does everyone have to keep to it?
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Our World – Judaism and the Environment (Sources) $75.00
How would you rate your concern for the environment?
Are there Torah perspectives about respect for nature, plant life, wastefullness and the like that you should be aware of?
The following collections feature sources exploring each of the following Mitzvos, as well as insights into how these laws inform our personal lives:
A. Ba’al Tashchis – (17 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
B. Shmittah – (50 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
C. Cutting Fruit Trees – (44 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
D. Orlah – (16 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
E. Tza’ar Balei Chaim – (47 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper
F. Kilayim – (25 pages)Table of Contents Request this paper -
Paradox of Prayer: If G-d Is Perfect, Why Try to Change His Mind? $39.00
If we believe that G-d is the ultimate good who does only good, why would we pray for a change to our fate? This paper solves the paradox between perfect belief in G-d’s benevolence and the centrality of prayer in Jewish belief.
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Playing with Folly (Sources) $39.00
In addition to the Prohoibition against Gambling, observant Jews seem to have an aversion to the standard deck of playing cards.
What could be wrong with an innocent game of Solitaire? -
Poultry and Milk – History $39.00
“Do not cook a kid in its mother’s milk.”
Traditional Kosher cooking avoids all forms of meat and milk combinations, including poultry.
What is the origin of this prohibition and when did it begin?
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Praying in Unison – Kedusha during the Silent Amida $39.00
Joining the congregation in their recital of kedusha is important on many levels. But what should one do if he is still reciting the silent Amida? Or just about to begin? When a worshiper’s private Amida collides with the recital of Kedusha by the congregation, what is the appropriate response?
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Pre-Nuptial Agreements $39.00
Many Rabbanim have proposed various Pre-Nuptial agreements to remedy the Aguna crisis. This features a synopsis of the views in favor and against the Pre-Nup.
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Pristine Pedigree $39.00
“The glory of children are their fathers” (Prov. 17, 6). One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is a heritage they can be proud of. But what happens when the circumstances surrounding a child’s birth are questionable. Can the indiscretions of the parents taint the child’s soul, and if yes, when? Can these limit his or her marriage prospects? An exploration of the relevant halachos covering a variety of situations.
