Question
GOOD MORNING We speak of Mitassek when the person is not aware that he is performing a Mitzvah." However, it is reported in the tractate zevahim (47a) that if a person makes the shechita of a korban chatat thinking that it was a chulin animal, then it is invalid. The gemara reports 2 verses to prove this law. But if really we only talk about Mitassek when the person is not aware that he is performing a mitzvah so why did the gemara need to ask for verses? If he thinks this animal is houlin then he is surely unaware that he is fulfilling the mitzvah of slaughtering a korban. The gemara implies that without the verses it would not be considered mitasssek, why? THANK YOU

Question
This past Sunday my wife and I were on a guided tour of an art history museum with our kids. We didn’t see it coming, but the museum had in it some actual idols from an ancient civilization that they worshipped. We never would have imagined. I wanted to take my family and leave the building promptly. I asked the guide if we could leave early, and he said for security reasons, he could not let us wander around the building unescorted. We were stuck inside the museum for another half hour before we were allowed to depart. If that situation were to arise again, what am I supposed to do?

Question
It seems that the words of Chazal have absolute authority in Judaism. 'Chazal says' means 'end of discussion'. I also agree that all Chazal are outstanding tzaddikim, but a tzaddik can also makes a mistake. Chazal are also imperfect individuals like us who do human errors. Then, why does the word of Chazal have so great an authority? Isn't it a bit "dangerous"?

Question
Usually we read from the same Torah each week. When the Torah is opened the following week, we are at the correct point for the current parasha. If a different Torah needs to be taken out to read the current parasha, it probably will not open to the correct section. Therefore, the Torah needs to be scrolled until the correct place is located. Since the Torah has no vowels, no trope, no chapter/verse numbers, how does the Torah reader know when he/she has reached the right spot? Thanks.

Question
Traditionally, tips in a restaurant are not legally required, but it is rude not to pay them. Common etiquette says if you can’t afford to tip, don’t eat at that restaurant. I find that hard because of social pressure. What does Halacha say about tipping? I am not well off, but I often find myself forced by social circumstances to eat in a restaurant and pay for my own meal. Affording a tip no matter how small is a struggle for me.