Venue: Boyaner Shtiebel (New York, NY) Boyaner Shtiebel (New York, NY)

Halacha:

Pidyon Shevuyim 

Description

Can one violate the laws of shabbos to save a person from captivity? Is one allowed to pay kidnappers their ransom? Why did the Maharam of Rottenberg die in prison? Can one have a lopsided prisoner exchange at the end of a war? Why did R Yaakov Kaminetzky prohibit the paying of ransom for R Yitzchak Hutner? What is the opinion of the Israeli Chief Rabbinate regarding lopsided prisoner exchanges? Is one allowed to place oneself in danger in order to save the life of a person in danger? Can one testify against a Jewish criminal? Do the laws of pidyon shevuyim apply to Rubashkin, Pollard, or Lev Tahor cult members. Can one report a crooked money manager to the authorities? Should one give chasidishe shechita to crooked chassidim in prison?