Question
I have a question related to the k'zayit according the Halacha. I have read the correct amount of matzah to eat during Pesach is equivalent to "the size of an olive". However, the Rambam and other rabbis are very contradictory or ambiguous when it comes to defining the size of an olive; they often do it in terms of the size of an egg, which is equally difficult to measure or standardize. Some try to do this by agreeing it is the volume, not the weight of the olive that matters. My question is: Can the "size of an olive" be defined in terms of calories (thus eating the same calories of matzah as the calories found in an olive) or is that also incorrect? I think that calories are an equivalent unit for comparing food these days, more accurate than weight or volume, but I might be wrong. Thank you for answering my question! Eric

Question
Rabbi, I work in healthcare and I wear tzittzit faithfully. When I come home I typically change out of the set I wore while working so that I am not spreading germs at home. Do I need to say a bracha over the new set if I said one in the morning? I appreciate your willingness to answer questions! G-d bless you!

Question
I'm 99% sure I was told by an Orthodox rabbi that abortion is the one transgression which is stricter on goyim than on Jews, that it was murder for goyim but even an unpermitted abortion was not murder for Jews. But I can't figure out what would be different for them. If it's murder for them, how could it not be murder for us? OR, if it's not murder for us, what could possibly make it murder for them? Are goyish embryos different, more developed, more something than Jewish ones? And who is liable for punishment for an unpermitted abortion, the doctor, the mother, both? For the record, this is an academic question. I don't know anyone who is pregnant and there is no chance I will make someone pregnant. But it would help to understand this if I want to know where I stand in the USA national abortion discussion.

Question
I am considering purchasing the tallit described in the link below. It states: Certified Kosher Tzitzit - Israel Import It comes in two sizes: 18 x 72 and 13 x 64 I am 5'2" tall and weigh about 100 pounds. I feel that the 13 x 64 tallit would fit me nicely. However, I am concerned that the tallit will not be halachically valid. I found an article on the Internet, which states: It is pretty hard to find a tallit under 24 inches unless it is for a child on a special manufacturing run. It is also not considered a tallit by halakah (Jewish rabbinical rules concerning the Torah). I would appreciate your guidance. Thanks.

Question
What is the halacha when it comes to using a restroom in an establishment that has a posted sign that says it is for customers only? Suppose you have to go so badly, you can’t hold it in any longer, but the establishment expects on honor that only paying customers use the restroom, and you have no plans on purchasing any merchandise from that establishment or desire to do so? And there are no other restrooms nearby.

Question
Hi - Do I need to go to the mikvah if I had some blood spotting after having an IUD (birth control) inserted and not any period. thanks!

Question
What is a man required to do to clean himself following an intentionally caused seminal emission before being allowed to pray or put on tefillin? Please do not answer by saying it is forbidden to do this. I am single and have an unavoidable physiological need to do it almost daily that Hashem created me and almost every other man with. I am not looking to be told it is forbidden. I am not looking to be judged because I do it. The fact is I will continue to do it out of uncontrollable necessity no matter how much I am told it is sinful. What I am asking is what should I do after in order to be considered clean enough to daven, put on tefillin, enter a synagogue, or study Torah?

Question
When I make Challah for shabbat I do the Hasfreshet Challah and tear a piece off and do the prayer.. BUT I never know if you cook the piece I teared off first before cooking the Challot or do I burn it only after I have cooked all the challot? Thank you!