May Dormitories be Passed Over for Pesach?

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.

This item features a summary
of halachic opinion regarding the use of Shabbos elevators and prepaid trains
and busses. It also surveys the halachic definition of creating “fire,”
and how poskim define the use of electronic devices and appliances on
Shabbos. This package includes an index with 25 copies of original responsa.

One of the the central themes of Chanukah is Pirsumei Nisa, the public display and celebration of the holiday. Around the world, Menorah’s are kindled in Malls, at City Halls and all sorts of public places. May one recite the traditional blessing over the Chaukah lights if they are being lit in the city square and not in the privacy of one’s home or Shul?

Brushing teeth triggers various halachic concerns about the violation of Shabbat. This paper deconstructs the practices of oral hygiene to examine if there are issues of chovel, schita, uvdin d’chol and memareach.

Shabbos is a day of physical delight and spiritual rejuvenation. Each of the Shabbos meals is designed with taste and splendor, which elevates the simple act of eating to being a Heavenly experience.
Of what mystical significance are the three halachically-mandated meals on Shabbos? How does Jewish mysticism transform our appreciation for the Shabbos in general, and our perception of the third Shabbos meal in particular?

The shofar is an ancient musical instrument used to call the Jewish people together. It was blown to announce the new month, before the commencement of battle, and other occasions. It is still used on Rosh Hashanah and the closing of Yom Kippur to call the people to repentance. When was the shofar used for the first time?