Weekly Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 30

May 11, 2024; 3 Iyar, 5784 Sponsored anonymously L’Ilui Nishmas Sara Eidel Bas Mordechai

QUESTION: I work in a catering hall and I am often told by the caterer to announce that the Chosson and Kallah have requested that everyone should silence their cell phones during the Chuppah. However, I know this to be untrue and that the caterer just wants me to say this as he believes it is the most effective way to get people to listen. Even though I know it is a lie, may I make the announcement, nonetheless?

ANSWER: I agree with your assertion that generally, Chossons and Kallahs do not make this request. Since the lie does not regard any monetary issues, Rav Elyashiv ZT”L would say that it is a Rabbinic prohibition (as stated in the Sheker section of Piskei HaGrish Choshain Mishpat)...

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 29

May 4, 2024; 26 Nisan, 5784 Sponsored anonymously L’Ilui Nishmas Sara Eidel Bas Mordechai

“Prosecutorial misconduct,” occurs when a prosecutor who is tasked to seek justice, behaves incorrectly in pursuit of justice. For example, a prosecutor may believe that a suspect is guilty and in his zeal to gain a conviction, may overlook (or even withhold) evidence that could exonerate the suspect. According to a 2020 study issued by the National Registry of Exonerations, close to 50% of wrongful convictions can be attributed to prosecutorial misconduct.

One reason for this misconduct, is obviously the desire by the prosecutor to obtain more convictions...

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Weekly Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 28

April 20, 2024; 12 Nisan, 5784 Sponsored anonymously L’Ilui Nishmas Sara Eidel Bas Mordechai

“And the one to whom the house belongs comes and tells the Kohen, saying, ‘Something like a lesion (Negah) has appeared to me in the house.’” (Vayikra 14:35)

The Alter of Slabodka (Ohr HaTzafun page 12 cited in Chochmas HaMatzpun pages 73-74) says that Chazal explain that even a Torah scholar who knows with certainty that his home has been stricken with the dreaded affliction may not categorically declare, “It is the Negah that I see.” Rather, he should say, “It appears to me like the Negah”...

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