Question
Is this correct? The following are read in an undertone on Shabbat, none more?   Parshat Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4–36:43): The verse detailing the relations between Reuben and Bilhah (Genesis 35:22) is read in an undertone. Parshat Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11–34:35): The verses describing the sin of the Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1-6) are often read in an undertone. Parshat Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3–27:34): The verses containing the curses or admonitions (tochecha) (Leviticus 26:14-43) are traditionally read in an undertone and at a faster pace. Parshat Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8): Similar to Bechukotai, the section of curses (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) is also read in an undertone.  

Question
This past Shabbos, we had an out of town guest stay with us who is a major celebrity and household name to most Americans, most of who do not even know he is Jewish. I will not mention his name here because it is lashon hora. Before he came, we excitedly told our kids a celebrity was coming over for a Shabbos meal. But once he was here, we saw a different side of him than the public knows: a man who is so eccentric that his behavior is socially unacceptable. Within minutes after he entered our home, we started to feel uneasy with him because of his mannerisms. After we lit candles, we felt so uncomfortable with him, we wished we could kick him out. But we weren’t sure what to do. Because we were observing Shabbos like we normally do, this didn’t help. He said he was coming with his wife. Turns out, his wife is a non-orthodox convert to Judaism who might as well be called an antisemite. She sympathizes with Palestinians and thinks the worst about Israel. And she constantly said demeaning things about Orthodox Judaism and Jewish laws and customs we all follow and had the impression that all Jews are rich. She herself was quite the narcissist who expected our place to be a luxury hotel with fine dining. She constantly put us down for not living up to her expectations of being treated like a queen. She was much worse than him. We are not rich. We are a struggling middle class family we over $30,000 credit card debt. Despite all that, we did our best to please these people and give them the best. They thanked us by making our Shabbos a nightmare. They did not follow the laws of Shabbos. They turned the light in the room we gave them on and off, took hot showers, and talked on their phones a lot. This was not unexpected. They are not observant Jews after all. In the future, what is a good approach to deal with Shabbos guests who are like this? Should we ask them to leave during Shabbos and drive their car away from our house?

Question
Dear Rabbi, Please tell me about the current Jewish month, Elul. I have heard that there is something special about it. Thanks

Question
Hello, can you please answer the following question? I was ordered to come to a court both on Rosh Hashanah and the first day of Sukkot. I informed the court about my Jewish religious observance but they declined my request to reschedule. Would it be permissible for me to come to the court on those days? Thank you very much.

Question
Many social media apps now allow users to schedule their content to post at a later time. Is it permitted to use this feature in advance of Shabbat to schedule content to post automatically during Shabbat?

Question
Hi rabbi - I asked the question about lighting candles with a lighter. If I am sphardi and my wife is ashkenaz does she change how she lights Shabbat candles to the sphardi custom or continue to say the bracha after lighting like her mom does?

Question
If one received a package in the mail that contained food during shabbat. May one open the package to consume the food on shabbat?

Question
Shalom. I want to ask of your opinion about Thoth the Atlantean and also about the Emerald tablets. What is your opinion about that? And about what you think about giants, were all giants evil? We killed them accordingly from Torah tellings. And so, I was explained to from another Rabbi , that some of us humans do have some giant DNA in us. Kol tov, shabbat shalom, Chaim Jeshurun    

Question
Our shul on shabbat starts shachrit at 930 and usually we dont get home till 1pm. I am usually up much earlier (6/7am) and say the karbanot and say shema to make zman. We have young kids as well. We usually say kiddush/hamotzi and have breakfast before going to shul. Is this allowed? If it isnt allowed, how can we make it permissible given waiting till 1pm to eat breakfast is painful. Thank you!