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Curated Torah sources across every topic, from classical texts to contemporary responsa.
Adding to a Mitzvah: Violation or Enhancement
Sources examine the halakhic principle that adding to a commandment may constitute a violation of the prohibition against additions to Torah, even when performed with pious intent. The discussion explores when augmentation of a mitzvah crosses the line from enhancement into transgression.
לא תוסיף אם כשעושה המצוה מפני הספק
The Rule Against Learning From General Statements
These passages from Sdei Chemed survey rabbinic authorities on the principle that halakha is not derived from general statements (ein lomdin min haklalos), discussing the scope of this rule, its exceptions, and how different poskim apply it to various sources including the Tosefta, Midrash, and scribal laws.
אין למדין הלכה לא ממדרש ולא מאגדות
Following Later Poskim: Principles and Conditions
These entries from the Sdei Chemed examine the halakhic principles governing when later poskim may disagree with earlier authorities and establish binding practice. The sources address the conditions under which a later decisor's ruling takes precedence, the role of superior analysis and textual development, and the proper methodology for deriving halakha from canonical sources.
כל מקום שאני רואה מחלוקת בדברי הרב אני סומך על דברי המגיד משנה
Writing a Wife's Name in a Get
Sources address the halakhic rules for determining which spelling or form of a woman's name a sofer should write in a get when she is known by multiple variants. The authorities discuss whether to use the most commonly recognized form, both names, or other identifying information to ensure the get's validity.
שמו ושמה שהן רגילין בו וידועין בו ביותר
Hunting for Pleasure in Jewish Law
Jewish sources address the permissibility of hunting animals for sport or amusement rather than sustenance. While basic permission to hunt exists, sources emphasize ethical constraints rooted in animal welfare and the principle that purposeful cruelty contradicts Jewish values of compassion.
יוֹדֵעַ צַדִּיק נֶפֶשׁ בְּהֶמְתּוֹ וְֽרַחֲמֵי רְשָׁעִים אַכְזָרִי
Priestly Marriage Laws and Converts
These sources examine the Torah's prohibition against a kohen marrying a convert, analyzing the biblical basis for the restriction and its scope across different halakhic traditions. The sources distinguish the genealogical requirements for priestly marriage from ordinary Jewish marriage law.
בַּת גֵּר זָכָר כְּבַת חָלָל זָכָר
Negligence Liability for a Borrowed Torah Scroll
Sources examine the financial and legal responsibility of a borrower (sho'el) who acts negligently toward an entrusted Sefer Torah. The sources establish both the general framework of shomrim liability and the specific requirements for respectful handling and safeguarding of a Torah scroll.
שואל חייב באונסים כמפורש בתורה
Meat and Dairy: Six-Hour Wait and Lenient Opinions
Sources discuss the requirement to wait six hours after eating meat before consuming dairy products, the rationales behind this waiting period, and various lenient positions—including the Rema's acceptance of shorter waiting times in certain communities—alongside stricter interpretations of the halakha.
והמנהג פשוט במדינות אלו להמתין אחר אכילת בשר שעה אחת
The Forty Se'ah Requirement for Mikvah
These sources establish the classical halakhic standard that a kosher mikvah must contain precisely forty se'ah of water. The sources present the scriptural basis for this measure and clarify that this threshold is absolute—immersion is valid at forty se'ah but invalid if even slightly less.
בְּאַרְבָּעִים סְאָה הוּא טוֹבֵל, וּבְאַרְבָּעִים סְאָה חָסֵר קֻרְטוֹב אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל
Head Covering in Jewish Law
These sources address the halakhic and spiritual significance of covering one's head in Jewish practice. They discuss head covering as an expression of yirat Shamayim (fear of Heaven), explore customary practices regarding distinctive hats on Shabbat and holidays, and examine technical halakhic requirements for permissible headwear.
כסי רישך, כי היכי דתיהוי עלך אימתא דשמיא
The Obligation to Cover One's Head
Jewish sources establish head-covering as a halakhic practice rooted in reverence before God and fear of Heaven. The sources discuss its requirements during prayer and in daily life, grounding the practice in both legal obligation and spiritual awareness.
שִׁוִּ֬יתִי יְהֹוָ֣ה לְנֶגְדִּ֣י תָמִ֑יד
Shofar in Elul: Halacha and Meaning
Sources explore the customary practice of sounding the shofar throughout the month of Elul as preparation for the High Holidays, examining both its halakhic status and its spiritual significance as a call to repentance and self-examination.
עוּרוּ יְשֵׁנִים מִשְּׁנַתְכֶם