Taking Challah

It is a positive commandment to take Trumah from dough that is made from the five grains and to give it to a Cohen. This tithe is called Chalah. According to most Poskim, the Mitzvah of taking Chalah in our time is Rabbinic even in Eretz Yisrael since the majority of the Jewish People do…

The Obligation of Parents for their Children’s Education

“And I will punish all that oppress them.” Even those responsible for collecting charity will be punished for forcing contributions from the poor, except for the payment of school fees so that their children can learn Torah and Mishnah. (Midrash Rabbah, Parshas Emor 30) A person is obligated to hire a teacher to teach his…

The Prohibition of Gentile Wine and Jewish Wine That Has Been Touched by a Gentile

The Torah forbids the wine of gentiles that has been offered as a libation to idolatry. It is not only forbidden to consume it, it is even forbidden to derive any financial benefit from it. This prohibition applies even to wine that has been merely designated for use as an idolatrous libation. Rabbinical law extends…