Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

Can a Jew instruct a non Jew to neuter his female dog?

No. P.S. He may however sell the dog to a non Jew, and have that non Jew instruct another non Jew to neuter it (and then buy it back). …

What is the earliest one can Daven Maariv on Motzei Shabbos when it is the first night of Yom Tov such as Pesach this year?

Tzeis Shabbos occurs at Tzeis Kochavim Ketanim, and the Shiur of Tosfos Shabbos is several minutes later (see Seder Hachnasas Shabbos. Cf. Alter Rebbe's Shulchon Aruch (OC 293:1) who…

Are there any real issues with watching the royal funeral?

You should not be watching ceremonies that contain idol worship, nor videos and pictures from inside a Church, amongst other issues. See here: https://asktherav.com/14441-may-one-look-at-pictures-of-the-inside-a-church-must-one-spit-when-passing-a-church/ Sources: משום אל…

Is there a problem to do the Mitzva of Shiluach Haken during Sefira?

It may be done. Sources: הרש״ש כתב בהגהות השמ״ש על ע״ח טו - שער הזיווגים - ג ע״ד הסוד להימנע בימי העומר. והובא בבן יהוידע קידושין לט, ב…

Laws of Lashon Hara While Venting

Question: I've experienced and been told that it's good to vent. דאגה בלב איש ישיחנה. I'm wondering though how this can work if it can turn on Lashon Hora.…

Does an employment agreement need to be signed upon?

Question: The Shulchan Aruch (CM 70, 1, Alter Rebbe Halvaah #6) says that a loan with a shtar is משובח יותר. Does this also apply to an employment agreement?…

I had a pushka with me in the hospital when my wife gave birth and had all the nurses/hospital staff give tzedaka. One of the nurses, presumably not Jewish (she looked Asian) asked if she could say or think a prayer before giving tzedaka. Would this be allowed? What if she’s praying to A”Z?

According to halacha, one may not accept tzedaka from a non-Jew at all unless it's needed urgently, and even then not openly. One may accept tzedaka from them if…

Learning after dawn before reciting Birchas Hatorah

Question: I learned Rambam late tonight and finished 3 minutes after dawn, without reciting Birchas Hatorah. Do I need to relearn what I said after dawn? Also, I realized…

Are you allowed to answer Amen to someone else’s Birchos Kriyas Shema (not the Chazan) if you are also saying Birchos Kriyas Shema? If yes, what if that person is a child?

Yes, if it is the same Berocho as the one you just finished. There is no difference in this case if it is a child, providing he is actually…

What is the Chabad custom in regards to the different types of brachos on smells like atzei besamim and minei besamim?

Question continued: 1. What about rose water which is very common in sfaradic circles and they do smell it and eat it as well? 2. Also for havdala would it…

Can we repeat the Possuk of Shema when singing it in a 12 Pesukim song?

No. Source: ראה שו"ע אדה"ז סא, ח. ואפילו בקריאת שמו"ת דנו הפוסקים, ראה קצוה"ש עב סק"י. וגם בקששעהמ״ט ראוי לחוש - אדה״ז שם. וכן כשאומרים במוצאי יו״כ -…

Since the halacha is that having a Mezuza on the inside of the house is not kosher, what advice can I give people about placing their mezuzah so they will be able to keep the Mitzvah of Mezuzah properly?

Question continued: I am doing a mass mivtza mezuza in a huge complex of buildings where the yidden live among many unfriendly & unsafe neighbors. They are afraid to…

What makes a name Jewish? Is Victoria a Jewish name?

Question continued: My grandmother, who passed away recently was named Victoria . That was her only name. I would like to name my daughter after her but my husband says…

I prepaid for the Mikveh when I was not required to pay. Would I have to pay for the next year or can I use the money that I paid originally as if it were on credit?

Question clarified: I moved to town 2 years ago. Right when I moved in I put the yearly mikvah fee in the box. I later found out that as an…

We paid for a service through paypal . The seller is now asking us to pay for the fee. What is the halacha?

Question clarified: We paid for a service through Paypal and were advised to send payment as friends to avoid the transaction fee. This option was not available and we had…

Must I remove my rings before washing hands for Hamotzie?

Question continued: My wedding band and diamond ring are tight. I am pregnant and sometimes my fingers get bloated. I cannot remove my ring without soap and water. It…

Can I use e-ink for kodesh books? What about Shem Hashem? Is it considered writing?

Question continued: I am tired of getting stacks of shaimus from my classes, it's hard to keep track of it all and annoying to discard properly, so I had the…

My 17 year old daughter is teaching in Florida with limited access to a vehicle. Is it permitted in this situation to rely on toasting Pas Palter to be Pas Yisroel?

She should buy par baked bread and bake them herself. In the event that there is no par baked bread, she can return the bread back to the oven…

May one look at pictures of the inside a church? Must one spit when passing a church?

It’s appropriate not to look at such pictures. Spitting isn't a requirement, but some have such a custom. א. משום הרחק מן הכיעור. וראה שלהי דקייטא סימן כה.…

Is it true that one should not wear a slide shoe (a shoe without a back) outside on Shabbos, because it is considered carrying?

See link. #10641

It says that the Rebbeim used to say a parsha or two of Shnayim Mikrah on Thursday night. Can this be done before Chatzos?

It may be said before Chatzos. Sources: כמפורש להדיא בשעהמ״צ פ׳ ואתחנן. והנה, י״א בדעת האריז״ל שמותר לומר רק פ״א מקרא. וי״א רק כ״ו פסוקים ולא יותר. וי״א…

Davening at a Slower Pace than the Minyan

Question: Most minyonim daven very fast and I'm a slow davener. I'm familiar with the Rebbe's horaah that one needs only to begin with the minyan, and doesn't have to…

If we have 9 people for a Minyan and the 10th is on the way to shul, can we start the Amida or do we need to wait for 10th? Can we do repetition?

Lchatchilah, you should wait for the 10th person to come to shul and only then start the Amida. However if you didn't wait and the 10th person arrived after…

Laws of Orlah Outside of Eretz Yisroel

Question: I just bought a house in the USA with young fruit trees. If the trees were planted by a goy do I need to wait 4 years to…

Is there any official Psak or Minhag Chabad concerning butter made from Cholov Akum?

Question continued: I would like to clarify the issue of butter that may be made with cholov akum. I see that the kitzur (and even the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan…

Halachic Guide – Shavuos | לוח יומי – חג השבועות