Around the Jewish Year

Laws of Chanukah 5785

Can orlah or tevel oil be used to light the Chanukah menorah? Can a Kohen use terumah oil? Should we separate challah from donut batter? Learn here about...

Status of Land-Dependent Mitzvot in Areas Liberated in the Six-Day War

On the halachic status of various territories conquered during the Six-Day War vis-à-vis the land-dependent mitzvot: Gaza, Arava, and the Golan Heights, and...

Laws governing birkat ha'ilanot

Rosh Chodesh Nissan is the first day we can say birkat ha'ilanot, the blessing on blossoming fruit trees, praising Hashem for creating a beautiful world with...

Shevat at Torah VeHa'aretz Institute

Holy Etrog Jam and Pesticide Traces

Pesach: Oat and Rye Matzah

In recent years, bakeries started selling matzah from various types of flour, such as oats and rye. On wheat matzah vs. matzah from other grains: do they have...

Pesach: Matzah and Marror - When Ma'aserot Were Not Delivered to a Levi and Poor Person

If someone buys matzah and lettuce, which the owner named the ma'aserot but may have not delivered the ma'aserot to the appropriate destinations (ma'aser rishon...

Tu BiShevat: The New Year for Trees

Tu BiShevat is an important date for the laws of ma'aserot, orlah and neta revay

Sukkot: The Etrog

What is a gartel etrog? Which segulot are ascribe to eating etrog jam and why? Why can't we use a grafted etrog for the arba minim? Fun facts and important...

Pesach: Maror on Seder Night

This article covers various halachic issues related to eating lettuce as maror on Seder night. Eating maror on Seder night: five practical questions and...