Regarding Parshas Balak and the attempts to discredit the Jewish people, we present: May I Dangle the Receiver? Or Hearing is Not Believing, and other Loshon Hora Questions.   Question #1: “Two of my neighbors are in a tiff, and I have a good relationship with both of them. Should I get involved to try […]

This week’s parsha closes by mentioning that the daughters of Tzelafchad succeeded in finding husbands. I am certain that they had no secrets to disturb their shidduchin from happening, but what would happen if they did? Would they have been required to “spill the beans,” or could they have kept these dark secrets to themselves? […]

Recently, someone sent me the following series of shaylos:

“Dear Rabbi Kaganoff,

“1. Is a person allowed to write balanced reviews of books? This question concerns hashkafah-type works, halachic works, self-help books, as well as novels.

“Obviously, there are many halachic ramifications, including loshon hora, etc. I would specifically like to know if one is allowed to “pan” (to review unfavorably) a work that the reviewer finds seriously lacking.