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Question: Concerning the sensitivity that children shouldn't see non-kosher animals - may they see drawings or toys of a unicorn? Since it's a fictional animal, it's definitely not amongst the non Kosher animals (Some even connect the unicorn to… Question: Concerning the sensitivity that children shouldn't see non-kosher animals - may they see drawings or toys of a unicorn? Since it's a fictional animal, it's definitely not amongst the non Kosher animals (Some even connect the unicorn to the colorful Tachash animal which had one horn). Answer: There is no issue with that. פשוט. ובנוגע לתחש עצמו - ודאי מין טהור הוא, ראה שבת כח, א תוס׳ יבמות קב, א. גו״א תרומה כה, ה. ובכללות הענין, להעיר מליקוט מענות קודש תשד״מ רלט (כתי״ק בתשורה פייפ אדר״ח אדר תש״ס) שלא כדאי לצייר בנ״א שלא כהמציאות אף שהורגלו…Show more
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The dedicated team of Rabbonim at AskTheRav would like to wish you a happy & Gut Chodesh Adar! משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה! "Every Rosh Chodesh the spark of Moshiach, also known as the 'Yechida', which is in every Jew's… The dedicated team of Rabbonim at AskTheRav would like to wish you a happy & Gut Chodesh Adar! משנכנס אדר מרבים בשמחה! "Every Rosh Chodesh the spark of Moshiach, also known as the 'Yechida', which is in every Jew's soul (which is a spark of the general Yechida - the soul of Moshiach) is revealed. The revelation of this spark resonates and causes a rejuvenation in the entire being of every Jew, so that everything he does in permeated with the level of his Yechida, And, most importantly, through this the revelation and arrival of Moshiach is caused in…Show more
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To the best of my knowledge, there was no such formal public instruction. The primary focus of Simcha during the month of Adar should be - and must be - on the study of Torah. This does not exclude… To the best of my knowledge, there was no such formal public instruction. The primary focus of Simcha during the month of Adar should be - and must be - on the study of Torah. This does not exclude the general concept of happiness which can express itself in dancing too, provided this is done appropriately and within appropriate time limits. However, this shouldn’t override the primary focus of limmud haTorah, as mentioned. It is certainly better to be involved in dancing for the purpose of increasing Simcha than wasting time altogether. Show more
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שאלה: רציתי לשאול בנוגע לתרומות לביהמ"ק בזה"ז: יש כאלו שאומרים שהפשט בשיחת ש"פ תרומה תשנ"ב (סי"ב) הוא לתרום כעת לביהמ"ק הג' ש"הכל חייבין לבנות ולסעד וכו'". והנה, על אף שמכמה סיבות יש לומר שאין זה הפשט בהוראתו הק', מ"מ… שאלה: רציתי לשאול בנוגע לתרומות לביהמ"ק בזה"ז: יש כאלו שאומרים שהפשט בשיחת ש"פ תרומה תשנ"ב (סי"ב) הוא לתרום כעת לביהמ"ק הג' ש"הכל חייבין לבנות ולסעד וכו'". והנה, על אף שמכמה סיבות יש לומר שאין זה הפשט בהוראתו הק', מ"מ אשמח לשמוע דעת הרב, ועוד והוא העיקר - מה ההלכה בזה, האם מותר בזה"ג לתרום כהקדש לביהמ"ק הג'? ואם אכן יש איסור תרומה כהקדש, האם יש היתר רק להפריש בצד ע"מ לתרום לע"ל ברגע שבו תבוא הגאולה בפו"מ? ומצו"ב המענה השלילי להרב ציק אודות תרומות לביהמ"ק (וכן ההבהרה בנידון והבקשה להעביר זאת לכל סניפי צאגו"ח). שאלתי היא, האם מענה כ"ק…Show more
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Question: With the will of fulfilling the Rebbe's wish, about teaching עניני גאולה and more specifically about the Beis Hamikdash, we came up with an idea to create an educational exhibit with the keilim of the Beis Hamikdash. The… Question: With the will of fulfilling the Rebbe's wish, about teaching עניני גאולה and more specifically about the Beis Hamikdash, we came up with an idea to create an educational exhibit with the keilim of the Beis Hamikdash. The advantage of this idea is that the kids can actually visualize and get a feel for how it will really be. Most of the keilim we are building ourselves of wood, and are trying to do it in a similar but different to the way it will be. Is it ok to build the ארון העדות, for purpose of learning…Show more
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There is a mitzvah of “Ve’asu Li mikdash” (to build a Beis Hamikdash for Hashem). When Am Yisroel (the Jewish nation) was in the midbar (desert), they fulfilled this mitzvah by constructing the Mishkan, and years later in… There is a mitzvah of “Ve’asu Li mikdash” (to build a Beis Hamikdash for Hashem). When Am Yisroel (the Jewish nation) was in the midbar (desert), they fulfilled this mitzvah by constructing the Mishkan, and years later in Eretz Yisroel, by building the Beis Hamikdash. This mitzvah is an eternal one, for all future generations—including ours. Unfortunately, we are still in galus (exile) awaiting the coming of Moshiach Tzidkeinu, and cannot yet fulfill this mitzvah in its literal sense. Nevertheless, we can fulfill this mitzvah while in galus in various ways: halachically, by building batei kneisiyos…Show more
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שאלה: האם מספיק להשאיר בד לבן לחוד בתוך אותו מקום כל משך זמן בין השמשות, או שצריך להשאיר מוך "דחוק" ממש (ע"י שיקיף את הטַמפּוֹן וכיוצא בו בבד לבן) כדי שימלא אותו מקום ממש? ידועה דעת החוות דעת, שדורש… שאלה: האם מספיק להשאיר בד לבן לחוד בתוך אותו מקום כל משך זמן בין השמשות, או שצריך להשאיר מוך "דחוק" ממש (ע"י שיקיף את הטַמפּוֹן וכיוצא בו בבד לבן) כדי שימלא אותו מקום ממש? ידועה דעת החוות דעת, שדורש שיהי' דברים כפשוטן למלאות המקום במוכין, אבל כל הפוסקים נחלקו עליו והוא דעת יחיד כנודע. ולאידך, קשה לומר לפי״ז דהוה ״כידיה בין עיניה כל בין השמשות״, כמבואר במגיד משנה איסורי ביאה ו, כ בשם הרמב״ן הלכות נדה פ״ב הלכה א, הביאו ב״י עמ׳ קס ד״ה אבל. וא״כ ממ״נ, אם באנו להחמיר כדיעה זו, לכאורה צ״ל מוך הרבה באופן שיהי׳ המוך…Show more
Question: When getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and washing negel vasher before leaving bed, is there an issue to leave the used water to sit until the morning (since there is enough… Question: When getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and washing negel vasher before leaving bed, is there an issue to leave the used water to sit until the morning (since there is enough water to use in the morning anyway)? Is there an inyan to spill it out right away, as the Alter Rebbe mentions that it shouldn't sit out. Answer: The yed water should be spilled, not left to sit. Alternatively, in this case, you may either cover the water (make sure it does not spill) or pour a revi'is of…Show more
Question: If one is really upset with someone and has not yet forgiven them for something, should they skip ribono shel olam in krias shema al hamita, or say it even though they don't agree with what they are… Question: If one is really upset with someone and has not yet forgiven them for something, should they skip ribono shel olam in krias shema al hamita, or say it even though they don't agree with what they are saying? Obviously, the ideal is to forgive the person and say it, but what if they don't quite yet? Answer: If one commits to working on forgiving, they may say it. Otherwise, they should skip it. Nonetheless, see here. Show more
Question: I recently acquired Alter Rebbe mezuzos to replace some Arizal mezuzos. Is there any concern about bizyon of the old mezuzah by removing it? If yes, must I say that I am taking them down to "check it"?… Question: I recently acquired Alter Rebbe mezuzos to replace some Arizal mezuzos. Is there any concern about bizyon of the old mezuzah by removing it? If yes, must I say that I am taking them down to "check it"? Answer: You should do so only if you have something to do with the old mezuzos. They ideally should be checked, though it is not required. Show more
As a general rule, he may serve.
שאלה: מעשה שהיה בשבת דאזלינן מיני׳ [פ׳ בא] שקרא המפטיר (במקום שנהוג שקורא בקול רם אף שהרבה אומרים עם המפטיר בלחש) וטעה בתיבה אחת וקראה שלא כהוגן באופן שמשנה המשמעות לגמרי. (העובדא היתה שקרא ״קרן מצפון״ במקום ״קרץ מצפון״)… שאלה: מעשה שהיה בשבת דאזלינן מיני׳ [פ׳ בא] שקרא המפטיר (במקום שנהוג שקורא בקול רם אף שהרבה אומרים עם המפטיר בלחש) וטעה בתיבה אחת וקראה שלא כהוגן באופן שמשנה המשמעות לגמרי. (העובדא היתה שקרא ״קרן מצפון״ במקום ״קרץ מצפון״) ושם לב לטעותו אחרי גמר הברכות. מה הדין? תשובה: אינו חוזר. Show more
Question: Before his passing, our grandfather asked us never to return to Poland. Out of deep respect for him, we have honored that request for many years. Recently, however, we have been considering traveling there in order to visit… Question: Before his passing, our grandfather asked us never to return to Poland. Out of deep respect for him, we have honored that request for many years. Recently, however, we have been considering traveling there in order to visit the concentration camps and other historic sites connected to our family’s past. At the same time, we are very sensitive to our grandfather’s wishes and do not want to disregard his directive. We are therefore asking whether there is a halachic framework that would allow us to make the trip while still being considered as upholding our grandfather’s instruction -…Show more
Question: Regarding the halacha when there are 2 Sifrei Torah ולא יפתחו השני ולא יסורו המפה עד שיגללו הראשון: Do I need to wait for the crown also, or just the mantel? Answer: It means the crown too.… Question: Regarding the halacha when there are 2 Sifrei Torah ולא יפתחו השני ולא יסורו המפה עד שיגללו הראשון: Do I need to wait for the crown also, or just the mantel? Answer: It means the crown too. Show more
Question: I understand that according to the Alter Rebbe, when saying Shema, you have to go back to the start of the verse, even if you only mispronounced a letter, changing the meaning of the word. Does this mean… Question: I understand that according to the Alter Rebbe, when saying Shema, you have to go back to the start of the verse, even if you only mispronounced a letter, changing the meaning of the word. Does this mean I have to correct people who make mistakes on mivtzoim, even if it might frustrate them? Answer: This applies only when reciting Shema to fulfill the mitzvah of Shema. When saying for the mitzvah, if one made such a mistake and continued to another passuk, they should go back to the beginning of the passuk. Even so, if the…Show more
שאלה: בהמבואר - ונמצא גם בלוח לפורים - שגם מי שאין לו פנאי מחמת הטירדות - ובפרט במבצע פורים - לאכול ”סעודה נאה כפי אשר תמצא ידו” ואוכל רק סעודה קטנה בבוקר, קיים מצות ”משתה ושמחה - יש להעיר… שאלה: בהמבואר - ונמצא גם בלוח לפורים - שגם מי שאין לו פנאי מחמת הטירדות - ובפרט במבצע פורים - לאכול ”סעודה נאה כפי אשר תמצא ידו” ואוכל רק סעודה קטנה בבוקר, קיים מצות ”משתה ושמחה - יש להעיר מדברי הפמ"ג מ"ז תרצה א, שסעודת פורים [ומתנות לאביונים ומשלוח מנות] צריכות כוונה. ודבר זה נוגע גם למבצעים בכלל - שבפשטות אין די לומר לאנשים לאכול או לתת מנות ומעות סתם ביום פורים, אלא יש להדגיש שקיום המצוות צריך להיות בכוונה לשם מצוה / לזכר הנס וכו'. תשובה: יישר כח על ההערה. בנוגע לסעודת פורים - בפמ״ג תרצה במ״ז…Show more
With various types of multigrain bread on the market, the question arises which brachah rishonah and brachah acharonah should be said when eating them. Hamotzi is recited on bread which contains one of the chameishes minei dagan (five types… With various types of multigrain bread on the market, the question arises which brachah rishonah and brachah acharonah should be said when eating them. Hamotzi is recited on bread which contains one of the chameishes minei dagan (five types of grain): wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt. When any of these five grains is added to kemach kitniyos (flour of some other type) to make bread, hamotzi is still recited, regardless of what the ratio is. However, in order to bentch birchas hamazon (the after-blessing for bread) the chameishes minei dagan must comprise at least one sixth of the…Show more
If it was found in a place where it is obvious that it wasn’t placed there, but rather it dropped out of someone’s pocket etc., you may keep it. Source: אדה״ז מציאה ופקדון ט: אבל המוצא מעות מפוזרות… If it was found in a place where it is obvious that it wasn’t placed there, but rather it dropped out of someone’s pocket etc., you may keep it. Source: אדה״ז מציאה ופקדון ט: אבל המוצא מעות מפוזרות בבית המדרש הרי הם שלו שאין במטבע טביעות עין. ואין צריך לומר אם מצא בבית הכנסת. ואין צריך ליתן לצדקה כמ"ש באו"ח סי' קנ"ד: #10161Show more
Yes. But this would be considered more like informing people about a siyum and therefore causing them simcha. This is not considered the same as an actual siyum. Certainly they may not eat meat or drink wine during the… Yes. But this would be considered more like informing people about a siyum and therefore causing them simcha. This is not considered the same as an actual siyum. Certainly they may not eat meat or drink wine during the nine days because of such a siyum. Source: ראה שיחת ש״פ מטו״מ תשמ״ח בסה״ש תשמ״ח ב ע׳ 565. ושם שנכון לעשות כן לערוך סיומים על מסכתות כאלה שסיומן בענינים שקל לאומרם ולהסבירם במהירות לכל אחד ואחד מישראל, אפילו פשוט שבפשוטים, שבסיומים אלו יכולים לשתף גם יהודי שפוגשים ברחוב, ובאמצע עסקיו – כשחוזרים לפניו על הסיום, או אף שאומרים לו…Show more
In all of the above, they should be placed in Genizah. Being that Genizah is easily accessible, one should be careful to place everything that is printed for the purpose of kedushah into Genizah.
Although strictly speaking it is fine, nonetheless there is room for stringency for those who wish to be stringent.
שאלה: ידוע שמתלבטים המון בבדיקת הכרס בדרום אמריקה, שם מוצאים זייגרים וסימני דקירות במשולש בכרס. שאלתי אחד הרבנים שליט״א, לגבי בדיקת הכרס באופן כללי. ואשמח לדעת חוו״ד בהמצו״ב. מענה למכתב אחד הרבנים שליט״א: קשה לי להאריך כעת מרוב… שאלה: ידוע שמתלבטים המון בבדיקת הכרס בדרום אמריקה, שם מוצאים זייגרים וסימני דקירות במשולש בכרס. שאלתי אחד הרבנים שליט״א, לגבי בדיקת הכרס באופן כללי. ואשמח לדעת חוו״ד בהמצו״ב. מענה למכתב אחד הרבנים שליט״א: קשה לי להאריך כעת מרוב הטירדות. וכבר שקו״ט בדבר כו״כ רבנים בקובץ אור ישראל מאנסי חוברת נא. קובץ גינת ורדים ב. והרבה רבנים אכן קבעו שמהכרח לבדוק. וראה בארוכה שיח יצחק יאקאב ג, עה. וגם אם נימא שאין חובה להעמיד משגיחים לבדוק - כדברי הכותב - פשוט שמסקנתו להטיל איסור בדבר ח״ו - מופרכת. ובפרט שהקונים חושבים שהמדובר בהכשר מהודר ולא שסומכים על קולות. ולכמה…Show more
No need. If. however, you remember within כדי דיבור, you should correct yourself.
If one goes from one room to the next while eating food after which the brachah acharonah (after-blessing) is borei nefashos, the halachah is that a new brachah needs to be made before continuing to eat in the… If one goes from one room to the next while eating food after which the brachah acharonah (after-blessing) is borei nefashos, the halachah is that a new brachah needs to be made before continuing to eat in the next room, unless they had in mind to go there while reciting the brachah rishonah (blessing prior to eating). Since it’s common for people to move about while eating, it’s recommended that one always bear in mind when making the brachah before eating that they might go into another room, thereby avoiding the issue of whether another brachah needs to…Show more
Question: A person had a massive heart attack, lo oleinu, at 3:45 pm. They tried to revive him till after 5 (the exact time is not clear), and then pronounced him dead. What should be considered as the time… Question: A person had a massive heart attack, lo oleinu, at 3:45 pm. They tried to revive him till after 5 (the exact time is not clear), and then pronounced him dead. What should be considered as the time of passing, and which date? Answer: From when the heart stopped beating, and the breathing stopped. Show more
A coin or dollar received from a tzaddik is considered muktzah on Shabbos and Yom Tov, even if the recipient has decided never to use it as currency. Neither does designating the coin or dollar to be an… A coin or dollar received from a tzaddik is considered muktzah on Shabbos and Yom Tov, even if the recipient has decided never to use it as currency. Neither does designating the coin or dollar to be an item of shmirah (protection) or kedushah (sanctity) render it halachically non-muktzah. The only way such an item can be considered non-monetary—and therefore no longer be deemed muktzah—is if it was designated to be permanently used for a specific, non-monetary purpose before the onset of Shabbos or Yom Tov. Seforim explain that coins received from a tzaddik possess some…Show more
One should be careful not to just discard bread that is not edible in an ordinary manner. In general, there is a rule of baal taschis, not to waste food. There is a particular rule with maintaining a… One should be careful not to just discard bread that is not edible in an ordinary manner. In general, there is a rule of baal taschis, not to waste food. There is a particular rule with maintaining a proper respect for bread, i.e. not to treat it with disdain, even if it is no longer edible. One should pick up a piece of bread that is laying on the floor; it is written that ignoring it can result in negative consequences, and one should make sure to always show respect to bread in every way possible. If the…Show more
Question: Some mitzvot have specific consequences associated with their neglect. For example, I recently read that forgetfulness is associated with neglecting to wash one's hands after certain activities. In such cases where a specific consequence is specified (in Shulchan… Question: Some mitzvot have specific consequences associated with their neglect. For example, I recently read that forgetfulness is associated with neglecting to wash one's hands after certain activities. In such cases where a specific consequence is specified (in Shulchan Aruch or elsewhere in Halacha), do these consequences apply only to those who know the halacha and deliberately disregard it? Or do the consequences apply to all Jews who are obligated in the relevant mitzvah, whether or not they know about the consequence? That is, does ignorance exempt one from these consequences? For example, say a Jew does not know…Show more
No, though there is room to preface the more right teeth before the left.
On a previous occasion we discussed the halachic issues involved in challah-baking events, noting that challah may not be separated with a brachah if the dough is then divided into small portions to be taken home by the participants.… On a previous occasion we discussed the halachic issues involved in challah-baking events, noting that challah may not be separated with a brachah if the dough is then divided into small portions to be taken home by the participants. A related question which is often asked concerns bas mitzvah celebrations where the bas mitzvah girl and her friends want to bake challah together. Assuming that the problem mentioned above doesn’t apply—either because the host family is keeping all of the challah, or for some other reason—may girls under bas mitzvah separate challah? The halachah is that children during the…Show more
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