Being Certain About Uncertainty: Volume 6, Issue 20, Vayikra

March 21, 2026; 3 Nissan, 5786 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Boruch Moshe Ben Cheyenna

Toward the conclusion of this week’s Parsha (Vayikra 5:17-18), the Torah outlines a scenario in which an individual may have violated a significant prohibition—one that would result in Kares (spiritual excision) if committed knowingly—yet remains uncertain regarding the act. Specifically, the person does not know whether they consumed forbidden fat or permitted fat. In such cases, the Torah mandates the offering of an Asham Taluy, a suspensive guilt offering.

Rashi provides additional clarification about the situation: There were two pieces of fat—one allowed and one forbidden—in front of him. He ate one piece without realizing which one it was. Later, he learned that one of them was forbidden, but he still could not determine which piece he had eaten...

Click Here To Download Or Print

Truth in Titles: Volume 6, Issue 19, Vayakhel-Pekudei

March 14, 2026; 25 Adar, 5786 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Yair Nissan Ben Sara

Rabbonim have responded differently to the great titles of honor that they have received. Rav Elya Lopian, for example, would often get letters that contained elaborate titles praising him; he made it a habit to fold down the top of such pages before reading them, thus avoiding seeing the praise. In contrast, the Chacham Tzvi read every title addressed to him, using the compliments as motivation to better himself so that the praise people attributed to him would at least be partially true in his eyes.

The term "Rav" is commonly used today, but Rabbi Elchonan Wasserman, quoting the Chofetz Chaim, emphasized that only someone who decides Halachic matters or serves as a Rosh Yeshiva should be called “Rav.” Using this title for anyone else, he warned, goes against the Torah's commandment to distance oneself from Sheker (falsehood)...

Click Here To Download Or Print

Prince Harry and the Ghostwriter: Volume 6, Issue 18, Ki Sisa

March 7, 2026; 18 Adar, 5786 Sponsored anonymously for the Refuah Shleimah of Yair Nissan Ben Sara

QUESTION: Actress M.B. Brown released a bestselling novel, although a ghostwriter actually wrote it using Brown's input and ideas. The book credits M.B. Brown as the sole author—there is no mention of the ghostwriter on the cover, nor has Brown acknowledged her in interviews. However, the ghostwriter agreed to this arrangement and had no objections.

Does one transgress the prohibition of deception (“Geneivas Daas”) or telling a lie (“Midvar Sheker Tirchak”) in the foregoing? Does it matter that the ghostwriter consented to the arrangement?

As an aside, it is interesting to note that when Prince Harry published his book, he did publicly credit his ghostwriter and his book sold just as well.

Click Here To Download Or Print