A Halachic Argument
The Gemara records that there was a dispute between Rebbe Eliezer and the Sages regarding the halachic status of a certain type of oven (Bava Metzia 59b).
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Mitzvos
Bal Tashchis
The prohibition of needless destruction, from fruit trees to food.
A Fruity Matter
There is a well-known prohibition against cutting down fruit trees needlessly. Indeed, many non-Jewish gardeners are even aware of this.
Eggs and Shank Bones
This story may have taken place in 2008, the last time erev Pesach fell out on Shabbos. It takes place between a wise son and his father on the Seder night.
The Friday Night Food Fight
There are no courses offered for a father on how to cut the lechem mishneh on Shabbos. A father has a few moments to cut through and distribute the challah before he has a rebellion on his hands.
The Noble Pas Price
There is a commonly accepted custom to eat only pas Yisrael during the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah. Our bread, bagels, cakes, and muffins should all come from Jewish bakeries during the Ten Days of Repentance.
Sowing The Seeds For Mitzvos
The mishnah in the beginning of the seventh perek of Pesachim instructs one who is roasting his Paschal lamb to employ a spit made of pomegranate wood.
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Wine
There is a widespread custom mentioned by the Rema (296:1) to spill some wine by Havdalah as a good omen for blessing. However, this custom has many poskim seeing red.
Gemara stories on Bal Tashchis
The Belzer Rebbe and the Wormy Fruit Tree
A fruit tree with wormy, inedible fruit blocks the expansion of a crowded beis medrash, yet the Belzer Rebbe rules that it should not be cut down.
The Belzer Rebbe and the Pupa Yeshiva's Fruit Tree
The Pupa Yeshiva wants to expand its beis midrash, but a fruit tree stands in the way. The Belzer Rebbe tells them to build around the tree, and they do.