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Article: Of Mirrors and Men

  The lav (Torah prohibition), โ€œLo yilbash gever simlas ishaโ€ (a man may not dress in a womanโ€™s garment) prohibits many types of adornments and beauty enhancements normally practiced by women; in this vein the Talmud Yerushalmi states that men…  The lav (Torah prohibition), โ€œLo yilbash gever simlas ishaโ€ (a man may not dress in a womanโ€™s garment) prohibits many types of adornments and beauty enhancements normally practiced by women; in this vein the Talmud Yerushalmi states that men gazing in the mirror is also a violation of lo yilbash.* However, the Yerushalmi continues, there are exceptions to this precept, such as those who are krovim lโ€™malchus (involved with the government)โ€”they may look in the mirror to maintain the impeccable standards of dress befitting their position. Poskim maintain that there are also a range of non-glamour related activities…Show more

What are some Segulos to help when a baby is in a transverse or breech position?

  Checking that the Mezuzos in the house are Kosher and properly affixed, especially the Mezuzah at the bedroom entrance, particularly if any Mezuzos are reversed or improperly placed. Checking whether there are any Seforim in the house lying upside…  Checking that the Mezuzos in the house are Kosher and properly affixed, especially the Mezuzah at the bedroom entrance, particularly if any Mezuzos are reversed or improperly placed. Checking whether there are any Seforim in the house lying upside down. Giving Tzedakah specifically on behalf of the birthing woman. Reciting Tehillim 20 and 121. Praying for the baby to turn. Some women have the custom of immersing in a Mikvah, or the husband immersing. The husband being honored with Pesicha, opening the Aron Kodesh. Performing the mitzvah of Hafrashas Challah. Reading Sefer Yonah. Reading Megillas Esther. Biting the Pitom…Show more

Article: May I attend a social event at a Reform temple?

  โ€œChased by a would-be assassin and a snake ready to strike, the victim passes a house of heresy,โ€ conjectures the Gemara, โ€may he enter?" Halachah clearly forbids a Jew to enter a beis avodah zarah (house of idol-worship)…  โ€œChased by a would-be assassin and a snake ready to strike, the victim passes a house of heresy,โ€ conjectures the Gemara, โ€may he enter?" Halachah clearly forbids a Jew to enter a beis avodah zarah (house of idol-worship) or minim (heretics). We keep a general distance of four amos (arm-lengths, about six feet) from the place of worship and should not even pass through the courtyard of the building. โ€œHarchek meโ€™aleha darkechaโ€ (distance your path from it), the passuk in Mishlei warns. Yet in circumstances of sakanah (mortal danger) many issurim (prohibitions) are suspended. When in danger,…Show more

ื”ืื ื—ื™ื™ื‘ ืื“ื ืœื”ืงื‘ื™ืœ ืคื ื™ ืจื‘ื• ื‘ืจื’ืœ ื‘ื–ื””ื– (ืœืฉืื™ื ื• ื ืฉื•ื™)?

  ืžืขื ื”: ื ื—ืœืงื• ื”ืคื•ืกืงื™ื ืื ื—ื™ื™ื‘ ื’ื ื‘ื–ืžืŸ ื”ื–ื”.   ืžืงื•ืจื•ืช: ืจืื” ื”ื ืกืžืŸ ื‘ืœืงื•ืดืฉ ืœื‘ ืขืณ 62 ื”ืขืจื” 28. ื•ื”ื ื”โ€ฆ

Article: Shaving

  According to the opinion of the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek, and many Acharonim after the Tzemach Tzedek have ruled accordingly, amongst them the Minchas Elazar, the Rebbe of Munkatch, shaving one's beard, even if it is not with a…  According to the opinion of the Rebbe the Tzemach Tzedek, and many Acharonim after the Tzemach Tzedek have ruled accordingly, amongst them the Minchas Elazar, the Rebbe of Munkatch, shaving one's beard, even if it is not with a razor, but with Misperayim K'Ein Taar, such as scissors or an electric shaver, violates and transgresses the Issur DeOraysa, Biblical prohibition, of Lo Yilbash Gever Simlas Isha, not assuming a mode of dress or conduct which is solely reserved for women. Accordingly, one who shaves with any instrument is transgressing a very serious Biblical prohibition. All the opinions agree that…Show more

Article: Lag B’omer

  Lag BaOmer is a day of great Simcha, happiness. Normally, the day of the passing of a Tzadik is not necessarily a day of happiness; in this case, it is different, as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai himself asked that…  Lag BaOmer is a day of great Simcha, happiness. Normally, the day of the passing of a Tzadik is not necessarily a day of happiness; in this case, it is different, as Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai himself asked that on the day of his passing, we should rejoice and celebrate. The restrictions of Sefirah are virtually non-existent on the day of Lag BaOmer amongst almost all groups of Yidden. Sefardim are particular to wait to lift the restrictions until the day after Lag BaOmer, and the Kabalah says that haircuts should not be taken on Lag BaOmer according to…Show more

A countertop extends into a doorway between our kitchen and living. Should we put up a mezuzah and, if so, where?

  From the description and picture, I canโ€™t tell which side is the (Halachic) right-hand side, so Iโ€™m assuming that you already have that figured out. If the right-hand side is the straight (โ€œnormalโ€) side, then the Mezuzah should be…  From the description and picture, I canโ€™t tell which side is the (Halachic) right-hand side, so Iโ€™m assuming that you already have that figured out. If the right-hand side is the straight (โ€œnormalโ€) side, then the Mezuzah should be attached as usual. This is provided that the cabinets there are not flush with the "doorpost". If they are flush, it would be exempt. If the side with the counter is the right-hand side (and assuming that the counter has a height of at least 31.6 inches [80 centimeters]), the Mezuzah should be attached to the top third of the…Show more

Is ืจื‘ื•ืŸ ื”ืขื•ืœืžื™ื (the one right before ื”ืžืคื™ืœ) said every night by ืงืจื™ืืช ืฉืžืข ืฉืขืœ ื”ืžื˜ื”, even on Shabbos ?

  Yes.   Sources: ืฉื‘ืกื™ื“ื•ืจ ืœื ื ื–ื›ืจ ืฉื•ื ื—ื™ืœื•ืง. ื•ื›ืŸ ื ื“ืคืก ื‘ืžื—ื–ื•ืจ ืœืจืดื”.โ€ฆ

ืกืคื™ืจืช ื”ืขื•ืžืจ ื‘ืืžืฆืข ืฉืžื•ื ื” ืขืฉืจื”

  ืฉืืœื”: ืžืขืฉื” ื‘ื™ื”ื•ื“ื™ ืฉื—ืœื ื‘ืืžืฆืข ืฉืžื•"ืข, ืœืคืชืข ื”ื—ื–ืŸ ื”ืชื—ื™ืœ ืœื‘ืจืš ืขืœ ืกืคื™ืจืช ื”ืขื•ืžืจ, ื•ื‘ื™ืจืš ืืชื• ื‘ื™ื—ื“, ื•ืชืคืก ืืช ืขืฆืžื• ื‘ืกื•ืฃ ื”ื‘ืจื›ื” ื•ื ื–ื›ืจ ืฉื”ื•ื ื‘ืืžืฆืข ืฉืžื•ื ื” ืขืฉืจื”. ื•ืฉื•ืืœ ื”ืื ื™ืกืคื•ืจ ืฉืœื ื™ื”ื™ื” ื‘ืจื›ื” ืœื‘ื˜ืœื”.   ืชืฉื•ื‘ื”: ืœื.   ืžืงื•ืจื•ืช: ืจืื” ื‘ืืจื•ื›ื” ืืฆืœื ื• 31342. ื•ื ืชื‘ืืจ ืฉื, ืฉืžื” ืฉื”ื•ืชืจ ืœื•ืžืจโ€ฆ

ื‘ืจื›ืช ืžื–ืœ ื˜ื•ื‘ ืœืžื•ืจื™ื ื• ื‘ืขืœ ื‘ื™ืจื•ืจื™ ืกื•ื’ื™ื•ืช

  ื‘ืจื›ืช ืžื–ืœ ื˜ื•ื‘ ืœื›ื‘ื•ื“ ืžื•ืจื ื• ื”ื’ืื•ืŸ ื”ื’ื“ื•ืœ ืชืœ ืชืœืคื™ื•ืช ืžื•ืจื” ื”ื•ืจืื” ืœืืžื™ืชื” ืฉืœ ืชื•ืจื” ืจื‘ื ื• ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ื•ืงืกืฉื˜ื•ืง ืฉืœื™ื˜"ื ืžื—ืดืกย ื‘ื™ืจื•ืจื™ ืกื•ื’ื™ื•ืช ื–' ื—ืœืงื™ื,ย ืœืจื’ืœ ื”ืชืžื ื•ืชื• ืœื›ื”ืŸ ืคืืจ ืจืืฉ ื›ื•ืœืœ ื”ืœื›ื” ื‘ืขื™ืจ ื‘ื ื™ ื‘ืจืง, ื‘ื›ื•ืœืœ ื”ืจื‘ ืœื•ื™ื ืฉื˜ื™ื™ืŸ ื–ื›ืชื” ื‘ื ื™ ื‘ืจืง…  ื‘ืจื›ืช ืžื–ืœ ื˜ื•ื‘ ืœื›ื‘ื•ื“ ืžื•ืจื ื• ื”ื’ืื•ืŸ ื”ื’ื“ื•ืœ ืชืœ ืชืœืคื™ื•ืช ืžื•ืจื” ื”ื•ืจืื” ืœืืžื™ืชื” ืฉืœ ืชื•ืจื” ืจื‘ื ื• ื™ื”ื•ื“ื” ื•ืงืกืฉื˜ื•ืง ืฉืœื™ื˜"ื ืžื—ืดืกย ื‘ื™ืจื•ืจื™ ืกื•ื’ื™ื•ืช ื–' ื—ืœืงื™ื,ย ืœืจื’ืœ ื”ืชืžื ื•ืชื• ืœื›ื”ืŸ ืคืืจ ืจืืฉ ื›ื•ืœืœ ื”ืœื›ื” ื‘ืขื™ืจ ื‘ื ื™ ื‘ืจืง, ื‘ื›ื•ืœืœ ื”ืจื‘ ืœื•ื™ื ืฉื˜ื™ื™ืŸ ื–ื›ืชื” ื‘ื ื™ ื‘ืจืง ืžื ื—ืœืช ืฉื‘ื˜ ื“ืŸ, ืฉื’ื‘ืจื ืจื‘ื”, ืฉื“ืŸ ื“ื™ืŸ ืืžืช ืœืืžื™ืชื•, ื”ืžืืกืฃ ืœื›ืœ ื”ืžื—ื ื•ืช ืžื›ื”ืŸ ืคืืจ ืฉื, ื•ืฆื“ืง ืฆื“ืง ืชืจื“ื•ืฃ ืื—ืจ ืจืขืดืง ืœื‘ืดื‘. ื•ืืฃ ืฉื”ืจื‘ ืžืฉื•ืขื‘ื“ ืœืชืœืžื™ื“ื™ื ื›ื‘ื‘ืดืž ืฆื–, ื, ื•ืขื‘ื“ื•ืช ืื ื™ ื ื•ืชืŸ ืœื›ื (ื•ืจืื” ืฉื•ืดืช ืื’ืดืž ื™ื•ืดื“ ื“, ื›ื• ืžื—ืžืช ืฉืžืฉื•ืขื‘ื“ ืœืชืœืžื™ื“ื™ื ื›ื ืดืœ. ื•ืจืดืœ ืœื”ืชื™ืจ ืœืžื ื•ืช ื’ืจ ืœื”ื™ื•ืช ืžืฉื’ื™ื— ืื• ืจืดื™ ืžื”ืดื˜. ื•ืคืงืคืง ืขืœื™ื• ื‘ืžื ื—ืช ืืฉืจ ื•ื™ื—ื™ ืงื ื‘ืžื”ื“ื•ืดื— ืขืณ ืชืฉืคื—)…Show more

ืืคืฉืขืจื ื™ืฉ ื‘ืฉืœืฉืช ื™ืžื™ ื”ื’ื‘ืœื”

  ืฉืืœื”: ืœื›ื‘ื•ื“ ื”ืžื“"ื ื”ื’ืจ"ื™ ื‘ืจื•ื™ืŸ ืฉืœื™ื˜"ื ืฉืœื•ื ื•ื‘ืจื›ื”! โ€‹ืื‘ืงืฉ ืœืฉืื•ืœ ืžืชื™ ื ื›ื•ืŸ ืœืขืจื•ืš ืชืกืคื•ืจืช ืจืืฉื•ื ื” (ืืคืฉืขืจื ื™ืฉ) ืœื™ืœื“ ืฉื ื•ืœื“ ื‘ื’'/ื“' ืกื™ื•ืŸ: โ€‹ื‘'ื”ื™ื•ื ื™ื•ื' (ื’' ืกื™ื•ืŸ. ื•ื›ืŸ ื‘ืกืคืจ ื”ืžื ื”ื’ื™ื) ื”ื•ื‘ื: "ื›ืฉื”ืกืชืคืจื• ื‘ื™ืžื™ ื”ื’ื‘ืœื” ืงื•ื“ื ืขืจื—ื”"ืฉ, ืœื ื”ื™ื™ืชื” ืจื•ื— ืืืžื•"ืจ ื ื•ื—ื” ืžื–ื”".…  ืฉืืœื”: ืœื›ื‘ื•ื“ ื”ืžื“"ื ื”ื’ืจ"ื™ ื‘ืจื•ื™ืŸ ืฉืœื™ื˜"ื ืฉืœื•ื ื•ื‘ืจื›ื”! โ€‹ืื‘ืงืฉ ืœืฉืื•ืœ ืžืชื™ ื ื›ื•ืŸ ืœืขืจื•ืš ืชืกืคื•ืจืช ืจืืฉื•ื ื” (ืืคืฉืขืจื ื™ืฉ) ืœื™ืœื“ ืฉื ื•ืœื“ ื‘ื’'/ื“' ืกื™ื•ืŸ: โ€‹ื‘'ื”ื™ื•ื ื™ื•ื' (ื’' ืกื™ื•ืŸ. ื•ื›ืŸ ื‘ืกืคืจ ื”ืžื ื”ื’ื™ื) ื”ื•ื‘ื: "ื›ืฉื”ืกืชืคืจื• ื‘ื™ืžื™ ื”ื’ื‘ืœื” ืงื•ื“ื ืขืจื—ื”"ืฉ, ืœื ื”ื™ื™ืชื” ืจื•ื— ืืืžื•"ืจ ื ื•ื—ื” ืžื–ื”". โ€‹ื‘ื ื•ืกืฃ, ื‘ืื’"ืง (ื›ืจืš ื™ื‘ ืข' ืชืžื) ื”ื•ืจื” ื”ืจื‘ื™ ืœืžื™ ืฉื ื•ืœื“ ื‘ื›' ืื™ื™ืจ ืœืกืคืจ ื‘ืขืจื‘ ื—ื’ ื”ืฉื‘ื•ืขื•ืช. (ื”ื™ืœื“ ื”ื™ื ื• ื”ืจื‘ ื’ื•ืจื‘ื™ืฅย ืฉืœื™ื˜"ืย ืžืžื’ื“ืœ ื”ืขืžืง). ืืš ืฉืžื ื›ืฉืžืœื›ืชื—ื™ืœื” ื—ืœ ื™ื•ื ื”ื”ื•ืœื“ืช ื•ื–ืžืŸ ื”ืชืกืคื•ืจืช ื‘ืชื•ืš ื’' ื™ืžื™ ื”ื”ื’ื‘ืœื” ื”ื“ื™ืŸ ืฉื•ื ื”. ื”ืจื‘ ืžื ื—ื ืžืขื ื“ืœ ื•ื•ื™ืœืฉืื ืกืงื™ ืฉืœื™ื˜ืดื ืกื™ืคืจ ืœื™ ืฉื™ื•ื ื”ื”ื•ืœื“ืช ืฉืœื• ื—ืœ ื‘ื’ืณ ืกื™ื•ืŸ. ื•ื›ืฉื”ื’ื™ืข ืœื’ื™ืœ 3 (ื‘ืฉื ืช ืชืฉืœ"ื—) ืื‘ื™ื• ืฉืืœ ืืช ื”ืจื‘ื™ ืฉื”ื•ืจื”…Show more

ืฉื›ื™ืจื•ืช ื“ื™ืจื” ืฉื™ืฉ ืฉื ื—ืžืฅ ืฉืขื‘ืจ ืขืœื™ื• ื”ืคืกื—

  ืฉืืœื”: ืงื‘ื•ืฆืช ื‘ื—ื•ืจื™ื ืฉื›ืจื• ื“ื™ืจื” ื‘ืฆืคื•ืŸ ืœืฉื‘ืช ืจ"ื— ืื™ื™ืจ. ื™ืฉ ื‘ื“ื™ืจื” ื”ืจื‘ื” ื—ืžืฅ, ื•ืฉืืœื• ื”ืื ืžื•ืชืจ ืœื”ื™ื•ืช ื‘ื“ื™ืจื” ื‘ืฉื‘ืช, ื›ื™ื•ืŸ ืฉืื ืœื ื‘ื“ืง ื‘ืžื•ืขื“ ื™ื‘ื“ื•ืง ืœืื—ืจ ื”ืžื•ืขื“ ื•ื”ืจื™ ืืกื•ืจ ืœื’ื•ืจ ืฉืœื ื‘ื“ื•ืง. ื”ืื ื™ืฉ ืขืฆื” ืœื”ืชื™ืจ ืœื”ื ืœื”ื™ื•ืช ื‘ื“ื™ืจื”.…  ืฉืืœื”: ืงื‘ื•ืฆืช ื‘ื—ื•ืจื™ื ืฉื›ืจื• ื“ื™ืจื” ื‘ืฆืคื•ืŸ ืœืฉื‘ืช ืจ"ื— ืื™ื™ืจ. ื™ืฉ ื‘ื“ื™ืจื” ื”ืจื‘ื” ื—ืžืฅ, ื•ืฉืืœื• ื”ืื ืžื•ืชืจ ืœื”ื™ื•ืช ื‘ื“ื™ืจื” ื‘ืฉื‘ืช, ื›ื™ื•ืŸ ืฉืื ืœื ื‘ื“ืง ื‘ืžื•ืขื“ ื™ื‘ื“ื•ืง ืœืื—ืจ ื”ืžื•ืขื“ ื•ื”ืจื™ ืืกื•ืจ ืœื’ื•ืจ ืฉืœื ื‘ื“ื•ืง. ื”ืื ื™ืฉ ืขืฆื” ืœื”ืชื™ืจ ืœื”ื ืœื”ื™ื•ืช ื‘ื“ื™ืจื”.   ืชืฉื•ื‘ื”: ืžื•ืชืจ ืœื”ื ืœื”ื™ื•ืช ื‘ื“ื™ืจื”. ืžืงื•ืจื•ืช: ืœืื—ืจ ื”ืคืกื—, ืื ื—ื™ื•ื‘ ื‘ื“ื™ืงื” ืžืฉื•ื ืงื ืก, ื›ื‘ืจืดืŸ (ื•ื–ืดืœ:โ€ฆShow more

Article: May a Kohen Fly over a Graveyard?

  A kohen does not visit a cemetery, crypt, hospital morgue or any place where there are dead bodies, due to the lav (Torah prohibition) of becoming tโ€™mei mes (impure by being in the presence of a dead body). Does…  A kohen does not visit a cemetery, crypt, hospital morgue or any place where there are dead bodies, due to the lav (Torah prohibition) of becoming tโ€™mei mes (impure by being in the presence of a dead body). Does an airplane, which is hermetically sealed, serve as a barrier for the kohen as it flies over the gravesite? Halachah states: ohel zaruk lav shmei ohel (a tent that is being thrown is not called a tent); an airplane does not serve as a barrier because it is in motion, as would stationary, self-contained structures. If it is only a…Show more

Article: Is Yoga Kosher?

  Yoga and other forms of meditation are highly controversial according to Halacha as many of them are rooted in idolatry and Avodah Zarah. While the Rebbe encouraged those already involved in transcendental and other similar forms of meditation to…  Yoga and other forms of meditation are highly controversial according to Halacha as many of them are rooted in idolatry and Avodah Zarah. While the Rebbe encouraged those already involved in transcendental and other similar forms of meditation to find Kosher alternatives that have no association with idolatry, this does not necessarily mean that this is a path for the public. In a Yechidus with Mrs. Hasofer, the Rebbe said that the only meditation that is recommended for all Yidden is the meditation found in Shulchon Oruch, meditating before Davening. Other meditations should only be used by people who…Show more

ื ื›ื‘ื” ืžื™ื—ื ื—ืฉืžืœื™ ื‘ื™ื•ื ื˜ื•ื‘

  ืฉืืœื”: ืžืขืฉื” ื‘ืื—ื“ ืฉื”ื›ื™ืŸ ืžื™ื—ื ื—ืฉืžืœื™ ืœืฆื•ืจืš ืžื™ื ื—ืžื™ื ื‘ืขืจื‘ ื™ื•"ื˜, ื•ื”ืขืžื™ื“ื• ืขืœ ืžืฆื‘ ืฉื‘ืช ื›ื ื“ืจืฉ, ื•ื‘ื ื™ืœื“ ื•ืฉื™ื—ืง ื‘ื›ืคืชื•ืจ ื•ื›ื™ื‘ื” ืืช ื”ืžื™ื—ื, ื•ืœื ื”ืจื’ื™ืฉ ื‘ื–ื” ืขื“ ื™ื•"ื˜ ื”ืื ื™ืฉ ืœื”ืชื™ืจ ืœื‘ืขืœื™ื• ืœื—ื–ื•ืจ ื•ืœื”ื“ืœื™ืง ืืช ื”ืžื™ื—ื ืื• ืœื. ื•ื›ืขื™"ื–…  ืฉืืœื”: ืžืขืฉื” ื‘ืื—ื“ ืฉื”ื›ื™ืŸ ืžื™ื—ื ื—ืฉืžืœื™ ืœืฆื•ืจืš ืžื™ื ื—ืžื™ื ื‘ืขืจื‘ ื™ื•"ื˜, ื•ื”ืขืžื™ื“ื• ืขืœ ืžืฆื‘ ืฉื‘ืช ื›ื ื“ืจืฉ, ื•ื‘ื ื™ืœื“ ื•ืฉื™ื—ืง ื‘ื›ืคืชื•ืจ ื•ื›ื™ื‘ื” ืืช ื”ืžื™ื—ื, ื•ืœื ื”ืจื’ื™ืฉ ื‘ื–ื” ืขื“ ื™ื•"ื˜ ื”ืื ื™ืฉ ืœื”ืชื™ืจ ืœื‘ืขืœื™ื• ืœื—ื–ื•ืจ ื•ืœื”ื“ืœื™ืง ืืช ื”ืžื™ื—ื ืื• ืœื. ื•ื›ืขื™"ื– ื™ืฉ ืœื”ืกืชืคืง ื‘ืžื™ ืฉื”ื›ื™ืŸ ื›ื™ืจื” ื—ืฉืžืœื™ืช (ืข"ื™ ืฉืขื•ืŸ ืฉื‘ืช) ื•ื‘ื ืื—ืจ ื•ื›ื™ื‘ื”ื•, ื”ืื ืžื•ืชืจ ืœื• ืœื—ื–ื•ืจ ื•ืœื”ื“ืœื™ืงื• ื‘ื™ื•"ื˜. ื”ื™ื•ืช ืฉื”ื“ื‘ืจ ื ืจืื” ืชืžื•ื” ืœื”ืชื™ืจ, ืžืื™ื“ืš ืžื›ื— ื‘ื™ืจื•ืจ ื”ืกื•ื’ื™ื•ืช ื ืจืื” ืœื”ืœื›ื” ืฉืžื•ืชืจ, ืขื›"ืค ื‘ื’ื“ืจ ื”ืœื›ื” ื•ืื™ืŸ ืžื•ืจื™ืŸ ื›ืŸ, ื•ืฉืืœื•ืช ืืœื• ืฉื›ื™ื—ื•ืช ืžืื“ (ื•ืœื™ ืขืฆืžื™ ื”ื™ืชื” ืฉืืœื” ื›ื–ื• ื‘ืœื™ืœ ื”ืกื“ืจ), ืืฉืžื— ืžืื“ ืื ื™ืขื‘ื•ืจ ืขืœ ืžื” ืฉื›ืชื‘ื ื• ื‘ืฉื™ืžืช ืœื‘ ื•ื™ื‘ื™ืข ื“ืขืชื•.   ืชืฉื•ื‘ื”:…Show more

I asked a cleaning lady to come for 3 hours and now I see that I only need 2 hours. Is it considered going over your word?

  Assuming itโ€™s a non-Jewish cleaning lady, who is not governed by Halacha, rather according to secular law, it is not an issue. Since there was no contract and there was a change in the circumstances, it is acceptable. In…  Assuming itโ€™s a non-Jewish cleaning lady, who is not governed by Halacha, rather according to secular law, it is not an issue. Since there was no contract and there was a change in the circumstances, it is acceptable. In most states, employers can change work hours, schedules, or duties without prior notice or employee consent. However, if you signed a written contract or a union agreement guaranteeing a set number of hours per week, you are legally bound to that agreement. Of course, you should give the employee as much notice as possible before the change takes effect. You…Show more

ืฉื‘ืข ื‘ืจื›ื•ืช ื‘ืžื™ ืฉื”ื™ื” ื ืฉื•ื™ ืœื’ื•ื™ื” ื•ื ื™ืฉื ืœื’ืจื•ืฉื”

  ืฉืืœื”: ื’ื‘ืจ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื™ ืฉื”ื™ื” ื ืฉื•ื™ ืœื’ื•ื™ื” ื•ื ื•ืœื“ื• ืœื• ื™ืœื“ื™ื ื•ื”ืชื’ืจืฉ ืžืžื ื” ื•ื›ืขืช ืžืชื—ืชืŸ ืขื ืื™ืฉื” ื™ื”ื•ื“ื™ื” ื’ืจื•ืฉื” ืžื‘ืขืœื” ื”ื™ืฉืจืืœื™. ื”ื–ื•ื’ ืžืชืงืจื‘ื™ื ืœื‘ื™ืช ื—ื‘"ื“ ืฉืœื ื• ื•ื‘ืจืฆื•ื ื ืœืขืฉื•ืช "ืฉื‘ืช ื—ืชืŸ" ืื—ืจื™ ื”ื—ืชื•ื ื” ืฉื™ื”ื™ื” ื‘ื™ื•ื ืจืืฉื•ืŸ. ื”ืื ืžื‘ืจื›ื™ื ืฉื‘ืข ื‘ืจื›ื•ืช ื‘ืฉื‘ืช ื‘ืžืงืจื”…  ืฉืืœื”: ื’ื‘ืจ ื™ื”ื•ื“ื™ ืฉื”ื™ื” ื ืฉื•ื™ ืœื’ื•ื™ื” ื•ื ื•ืœื“ื• ืœื• ื™ืœื“ื™ื ื•ื”ืชื’ืจืฉ ืžืžื ื” ื•ื›ืขืช ืžืชื—ืชืŸ ืขื ืื™ืฉื” ื™ื”ื•ื“ื™ื” ื’ืจื•ืฉื” ืžื‘ืขืœื” ื”ื™ืฉืจืืœื™. ื”ื–ื•ื’ ืžืชืงืจื‘ื™ื ืœื‘ื™ืช ื—ื‘"ื“ ืฉืœื ื• ื•ื‘ืจืฆื•ื ื ืœืขืฉื•ืช "ืฉื‘ืช ื—ืชืŸ" ืื—ืจื™ ื”ื—ืชื•ื ื” ืฉื™ื”ื™ื” ื‘ื™ื•ื ืจืืฉื•ืŸ. ื”ืื ืžื‘ืจื›ื™ื ืฉื‘ืข ื‘ืจื›ื•ืช ื‘ืฉื‘ืช ื‘ืžืงืจื” ื›ื–ื”?   ืชืฉื•ื‘ื”: ืœื.   ืžืงื•ืจื•ืช: ื•ื’ื ืืชืดืœ ื“ืกื’ื™ ื‘ื—ื™ื‘ืช ื ื™ืฉื•ืื™ืŸ, ื”ื›ื ืฉื”ื™ื• ื ืฉื•ืื™ื ื‘ื ื™ืžื•ืกื™ื”ืโ€ฆShow more

What Bracha is said on onion soup?

  If first sautรฉed and then cooked, ha'adamah. If only cooked, shehakol.   Sources: ื›ืฉืื™ื ื• ืžื˜ื•ื’ืŸ ืื™ืฉืชื ื™ ืœื’ืจื™ืขื•ืชื ืขืดื™ ื”ื‘ื™ืฉื•ืœ, ืฉื‘ืฆืœื™ื ืžื‘ื•ืฉืœื™ื ื‘ืจื›ืชืโ€ฆ

Article: Shloishes Yemei Hagbalah

  There is a difference of opinion when the laws of Aveilus, the laws of mourning associated with Sefirah, the days of the Omer, cease to apply: Some people practice Shloishes Yemei Hagboloh, the three days before Shavuos, as a…  There is a difference of opinion when the laws of Aveilus, the laws of mourning associated with Sefirah, the days of the Omer, cease to apply: Some people practice Shloishes Yemei Hagboloh, the three days before Shavuos, as a time when the laws of Aveilus no longer apply, starting from the morning of Gimmel Sivan, while other people carry the laws of the Omer straight until Erev Shavuos and they only take haircuts on Erev Shavuos. That is the opinion of Kabalah, and it is the Chabad custom as well. Even those who suggest that there is no mourning…Show more

Can my daughter practice for a dance during Sefira for a wedding right after Shavuos?

  Question: My 11 year old daughter is making up a dance to a specific song for all the nieces to do at my sisters wedding which is a few days after Shavuos. They started practicing before Pesach. Can they…  Question: My 11 year old daughter is making up a dance to a specific song for all the nieces to do at my sisters wedding which is a few days after Shavuos. They started practicing before Pesach. Can they continue even though it is now Sefira? Otherwise they wonโ€™t be able to do it at the wedding as they wonโ€™t have enough time.   Answer: Although there is room for leniency, still best to avoid. On Lag Baomer it is permitted, and one may even be lenient during Shloshes Yemei Hagbalah. The dance practice (without music of course)…Show more

Article: Yibbum Vs. Chalitzah

  If a married man dies childless, chas vโ€™sholom, according to halachah the widowโ€™s brother must choose between two possible options in order to remarry. One is the mitzvah of yibbum: The brother of the deceased husband…  If a married man dies childless, chas vโ€™sholom, according to halachah the widowโ€™s brother must choose between two possible options in order to remarry. One is the mitzvah of yibbum: The brother of the deceased husband marries the widow, and the other is the mitzvah of chalitzah, so named because as part of the procedure the widow removes the shoe of her deceased husbandโ€™s brother. There is a difference of opinion among poskim as to which of the two is preferred. Amongst Ashkenazim, the custom is to perform chalitzah, and yibbum is almost never…Show more

Pizza with a Fork and Knife?

  Question: I learned that you shouldn't take a bite out of something that you won't finish in one bite. Does this apply to foods like pizza and sandwiches which are typically eating by taking bites?   Answer: The halacha…  Question: I learned that you shouldn't take a bite out of something that you won't finish in one bite. Does this apply to foods like pizza and sandwiches which are typically eating by taking bites?   Answer: The halacha is not to eat a slice which is the volume of an egg or more. Even holding a slice this size, even though one is only eating a bit of it at a time, it is not recommended. In foods where this is the common way of eating, such as a slice of pizza or small sandwich itโ€™s not an…Show more

ื ืฉื™ื ื‘ืกืคื™ืจืช ื”ืขื•ืžืจ

  ืฉืืœื”: ืœืžืขืฉื”, ื ืฉื™ื ืกื•ืคืจื•ืช ืกืคื™ืจืช ื”ืขื•ืžืจ ื‘ื‘ืจื›ื”? ื™ืฉ ืฉืืžืจื• ืฉืขืœ ืคื™ ืงื‘ืœื” ืื™ืŸ ืœื”ืŸ ืœืกืคื•ืจ.   ืชืฉื•ื‘ื”: ื ืฉื™ื ืกื•ืคืจื•ืช ื‘ื‘ืจื›ื”.   ืžืงื•ืจื•ืช: ื”ื ื”, ืœื›ืœ ืœืจืืฉ ืขืดื“ ื”ื ื’ืœื”, ืืฃ ืฉืžืขื™ืงืจ ื”ื“ื™ืŸ ืคื˜ื•ืจื•ืช,โ€ฆ

Someone wants to shorten his Retzuos which are too long. Can I use a regular scissors of metal?

  The restriction of using metal only applies toย Tzitzis. The Retzuos of the Tefillin may be cut with metal/regular scissors.     Sources: ื•ืื›ืŸ ื‘ืžืื•ืจื™ ืื•ืจ ื‘ื‘ืืจ ืฉื‘ืข ื™, ื ืชืžื” ืขืœโ€ฆ

Drinking coffee Shabbos after Shachris before Kriah without Kiddush

  Question: I daven a lot of times in a Gerer shteeble in my area. Shabbos morning after Shacharis before Krias haTorah they have a hour break to learn, as is their minhag. They drink coffee then without kiddush…  Question: I daven a lot of times in a Gerer shteeble in my area. Shabbos morning after Shacharis before Krias haTorah they have a hour break to learn, as is their minhag. They drink coffee then without kiddush, is this permitted? and may I do so too?   Answer: Not permitted. Explanation: The obligation of kiddush starts after Shacharis. Unless in desperate situations, one may not eat and drink before kiddush even by day. The formal Gerrer custom is to have a โ€œhafsakaโ€ for learning only, and not for eating and drinking. The Imrei Emes wrote…Show more
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