Question
For many years, I’ve understood it is forbidden by halacha to enter a store and examine merchandise without any intention of buying it (commonly known as window shopping). The reason is that you are giving the merchant false hopes they will earn money that they really never will earn. In the age of the internet, I have found it is possible to read about merchandise for sale and examine it online even if one has no intention of buying it. I have done this often only to satisfy my curiosity about things I could never afford. I always thought this was a benign activity. But I have noticed over the years that when I do that, I receive ads for the very merchandise I have examined online, all without asking. I recently learned from an article I read that when you do this, not only do you trigger ads. But the company whose ads are being displayed to you actually pays on a per ad basis for those ads that come to your browser. In other words, one’s examination of merchandise on a website is costing that company money, whether you buy their merchandise or not. I understand companies have budgeted for this in their advertising funds. But what is the perspective of this in halacha?

Question
Hi, if someone was Jewish but had no proof and needed to convert giyur or giyur lechumra and met someone who wanted to convert, would the beit din still convert them both if they were married, as they met out of love for Judaism and not one converting for marriage?

Question
I know that technically we’re not supposed to dwell on when Mashiach is coming and what it will be like. But I just want to understand some things that I just can’t wrap my head around. For instance, when Mashiach is here, we will have no more yetzer hara. But then where will the balance be? How could we still have bechira and wouldn’t it be such a boring world if no one did bad and there was no bad events? The way I see it, there could be no concept of reward or punishment, so what would we even be living for? Of course, I still want Mashiach to come every day and I’m sure that Hashem knows what He’s doing, I just want to understand it. Thanks!

Question
Hello, thank you for choosing to chat with me. :) You can call me Eren (pseudonym). I'll get right to the point. Although I was raised Protestant Christian, lately, I've been considering following Noahidism and eventually converting to Judaism. But of course, I've been afraid of "but what if Christians are right about nonbelief in Jesus meaning eternal death in Hell?!?". Even though I don't really believe that, I still worry, thinking to myself "but do I really want to risk the Christians being right?". And it really does suck, I feel threatened and sort of bullied into Christianity. I know that if the threat of Hell wasn't present, I'd confidently convert to Judaism without fear, because I feel drawn to it and I believe in it so much. But anyways, I prayed to G-d for guidance earlier today and asked Him to send me a sign, to tell me if I'm going in the right or wrong direction in my faith. And I think He may have sent me one. I drove home from vacation today and saw many billboards and trucks saying "JESUS" in huge letters. But really, that location seems to just be very religious and Christian anyways, so I don't know if that's very convincing to me as a sign. The most striking thing I saw was in the sky tonight. I saw the moon surrounded by rainbow-ish light like I have never seen before. And a cloud came, which looked to be in the shape of a hand, and moved to "grab" the moon perfectly in its fingers. Before the wrist of the "hand" was a huge wall of clouds, which tried to cover the moon after the "hand" had "grabbed" it. Although I'm not sure if the last bit about the wall of cloud is part of the sign/relevant. I was debating meanings/symbolism. For example, "the moon could be G-d, and the surrounding rainbow could be the Gentiles, the descendants of Noah. And then the hand could be G-d's gentle touch, meaning that only Gentiles will go to Heaven? But that would be strange, the Jews are G-d's chosen people, why wouldn't His gentle touch be touching them? Or maybe He's telling me to become a Noahide with the rainbow... not sure about the rest, but I feel like the moon would symbolize G-d somehow". So, Rabbi, do you have any ideas on what this sign could mean? Or is it even a sign from G-d at all? And what do you suggest on my current Judaism vs Christianity predicament? Thank you so much for devoting your time to helping me. :)

Question
Dear Rabbi, A friend asked my opinion about his starting a business relationship with someone I think is disingenuous and a conflict entrepreneur. My friend knows I stay away from that person, without any social media contact as well. But my friend is very enthusiastic to do a deal with him and asked me why I don't have contact with him. If I were to be honest I would tell him, but it would be mostly negative and I don’t want to be a “snitch.” However, he keeps pressing me and I feel like I'm being dishonest by not telling him what I really think. He respects my opinion. How much can I say without it transgressing the Jewish laws and spirit that teach not speaking negatively against another person? Thank you.

Question
Lashon hara. A colleague of mine is is asking about doing business and building a Relationship with someone I think is disingenuous and a conflict entrepreneur. I stay away from him and no longer keep in contact on social media. He is very enthusiastic about him. He asked me why I don't have contact with him and why I don't work with him. If I were to be honest I would tell him, but it would be mostly negative. However, he keeps pressing me and I feel like I'm being dishonest by not telling him what what I really think. He respects my opinion. How much can I say without it being lashon hara? Thank you.