Question
In Jewish tradition, what is the significance of the olive? From a culinary standpoint, it is something relatively minor. In modern times, it is eaten primarily as an accessory in salads and as a pizza topping, but is by no means a staple crop. It is also used to make olive oil, which is not the most popular type of oil, probably in part because of its high cost. In the Temple in Jerusalem, it was used to light the menorah, and some people use it for their Chanukah candles. With all that in mind, why is the olive valued so heavily more than other things we eat way more often?

Question
Dear Rabbi, The Chanukah miracle: A flask with one night’s oil burned for eight nights. But since there was oil for one night, the miracle actually lasted only seven nights! So why is Chanukah eight nights and not seven? Thank you and Happy Chanukah

Question
Does facetime or Zoom work for pirsumei nisa? Specifically, if I get home late at night and my family is sleeping the halacha requires to wake someone up to have pirsumei nisa. Can I facetime a friend to watch me light?

Question
Am I allowed to buy stocks on chol hamoed in a situation where I will only be able to make money if I buy it now and not after yom Tov?

Question
If a man has to choose between building his own sukkah and building his father’s, whose sukkah takes precedence? This is when his father is not strong enough to build one of his own and has no one else to help, and the son only has time and/or energy to build one, and the father and son do not live close enough to be able to share a sukkah during Yom Tov.

Question
The Yom Kippur are worded “We have sinned …,” implying that every Jew who recites these prayers is not only praying for the forgiveness of oneself, but for all their fellow Jews. Does not mean that if one fails to pray or lacks kavana as they pray, they are still forgiven because plenty of their fellow Jews have prayed for them to be forgiven? Or must each person recite these prayers oneself in order to be forgiven?

Question
Unfortunately I’ve contracted Covid and am symptomatic with cough, fever, etc. The biggest issue is profuse sweating, worse at night: I had to change pajamas3 times last night as they were drenched. Is this considered a חולה שיש בו סכנה and should drink to avoid severe dehydration ?