Halachic Highlights

Question: What should a person do if he inherits chametz from his irreligious father on Pesach?

Short Answer: The poskim dispute whether he needs to destroy this chametz on Pesach and whether it is permitted after Pesach. The Mishnah B’rurah appears to permit it after Pesach.

Question: Does megillas esther need sirtut?

Short Answer: Yes, megillas esther needs sirtut. According to most poskim, the entire megillas esther (and not just the first line) needs sirtut.     

Question: May you burn your chametz at a public chametz burning location in the neighborhood?

Short Answer: While Rav Moshe Sternbuch shlita expresses certain hesitations about public burnings, most poskim permit these burnings as a valid (if not optimal) method of burning the chametz.

Question: If someone forgets to read or hear megillah on Purim night, must he read or hear megillah twice on Purim day?

Question: Must you ideally give money for Matanos LaEvyonim? May you give food instead?

Short Answer: There is a machlokes whether you must give money or whether you may give food instead.

Question: Must a tortfeasor pay damages for an item that only has sentimental value but does not have resale value?

Short Answer: According to many poskim, the tortfeasor would not be liable for the sentimental value of an object. However, some poskim would require the tortfeasor to pay such damages if the destroyed item was a tangible item that had a use.