Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

Ma’aser for Volunteering

Question: If I am volunteering and taking kids out who have a sibling in the hospital, can I use Ma'aser money to pay for the kids' entertainment / treats?…

I took an Hachloto to read Shnaim Mikra. It’s too hard, can I make Hatoras Nedorim?

Question: Around Purim this past year, I heard that saying shnayim mikra on Erev Shabbos is good for the pandemic. I’ve been careful to do it ever since. Now…

How many people who haven’t heard Kriah do you need in order to Lein the Torah?

Question: Very often in our shul, people hear Kriah before davening, and then, if there is a Minyan, they would daven with that Minyan, It happens where there was…

Mezonos as Dessert

Question: If I understand correctly, when eating a chocolate chip cookie, the brocho is mezonos unless I eat the measurement of 4 beitzim and get satisfied. What if I…

“Hodu LaHashem” in Hallel

Question: When saying Hallel I have adopted the Chabad minhag of repeating "Hodu lashem" (first passuk of kapitel 117) after the first 4 verses. But I recently read in…

האם אפשר לעשות קידוש ולתת לילד לשתות במקומי? אם כן כמה הוא צריך לשתות?

לכתחילה ישתה בעצמו את הקידוש. ובאם אינו רוצה לשתות ישמע קידוש מאחר. כשמטעמי בריאות או נדר וכדומה אא״פ לו לשתות, ואין מי שיקדש בשבילו, עדיף להביא את הקידוש לשתות…

Is playing with something on Shabbos (ex. bending a straw back and forth) because I’m bored considered Muktza?

Yes it is Muktza. One may not move objects out of boredom, unless there is an actual need. There is a disagreement if it is permitted if you are…

Is it allowed to comb the beard?

Question: The Rebbe writes in a letter לקו''ש חלק ז' עמוד 325 that it is permitted to comb your beard with a comb. what does the Rebbe mean by…

Davening with a belt instead of Gartel

Question: Is wearing a belt itself sufficient as a Gartel for Davening? Why do some wear their belt on top of their jackets for davening - isn't wearing it…

Can I learn with a child Trop on Nittel Nacht? Meaning the tune of the Trop, not in the words of the Chumash.

No. Sources: בנדרים ל״ז ע״ב - ״ויבינו במקרא״ זה פיסוק טעמים, ומחלוקת שם האם הוא מן התורה או שעזרא ואנשי כנסת הגדולה תיקנו, ובזהר ויקהל ר״ה ע״ב שהוא…

Is it okay to visit the Ohel on Nittel Nacht?

Yes you may, but you may not recite Tehilim or other Torah passages. Sources: לא שמענו שנמנעו מזה וכיו״ב. ואדרבה, להעיר מסה״ש תש״נ ח״א ע׳ 193 לנצל הזמן…

In which tone should Shmoneh Esreh be recited?

Answer: Here is a quote from the Alter Rebbe's Shulchan Aruch (OCH 101:2): "One should not pray in his heart alone. Rather, he should articulate the words with his…

Interruption between Kiddush and Washing

Question: Can I prepare food for the Seudah between Kiddush and Washing, if it will not cause me to delay the washing? For example: there are lots of guests…

Questions About Stocks

Question: What is the Rebbe's opinion on stocks, like mutual funds? Is there an issue of Ribbis in that? (How about when the money is being invested by a…

Is it better to use nails or screws to affix Mezuzos, or is double sided sticky tape or glue just as “Mehudar”?

Strictly speaking, one may use glue or even double sided tape provided they are strong and durable. Nonetheless, nails are preferable, according to some. Sources: ראה בנימוקי יוסף ב”מ…

Mezuzah for Jewish Children in home of non-Jewish Father

Question: One of my mekuravim sends her boys to their non-Jewish father on weekends. She is asking if she should put up mezuzahs on the doorposts of the father's…

What Should Be Done With An Amputated Leg?

Question: A Yid I know will probably have his leg amputated (from above the knee and down). Does the leg need to be buried in a cemetery or can…

Amazon package not received, refunded and then found

Question: I made a purchase on amazon and got a notification that it was delivered. When I checked for the package though I wasn’t able to find anything so…

האם צריך למחות במי שלומד בליל הניטל? ומה אם זה ילד?

אף שמנהג זה יסודתו בהררי קודש ונתפשט בתפוצות ישראל, ולא רק אצל חסידים, ונהגו בו מדורי דורות, כידוע ומפורסם, ומילא מובן גם שיש לחנך הילדים לקיים המנהג - מעולם…

האם מותר ללמוד הלכות ניטל נאכט בניטל?

פשוט וברור אצלי שאין שום הבדל בתוכן הלימוד, וגם עניני ניטל בכלל, שהרי כל שלימודו הוא בגדר תורה נהגו לא ללמוד בלילה זה. וכ״ה לכל הטעמים שנאמרו במנהג זה…

When not making Kiddush between six & seven causes difficulties

Question: I know the minhag of many is not to make kiddush between six and seven. This was what I remember my custom in my parents' home. My question…

Is there a known reason why it is not customarily for Chabad Chassidim to take Shabbos in early?

In Shulchan Oruch, bringing in Shabbos early is regarded as a noble practice. Nevertheless, in 770, Shabbos was never brought in early, and it is common practice in Chabad…

האם חנוכיה זו כשרה להדליק ברחובה של עיר עם ברכה?

תשובה: חנוכיה כזו כשרה לכתחילה. ועם כל זה, יש מהדרין שלא להדליק בחנוכיה כזו, משום מצוה מן המובחר. מקורות: ברמ״א תרעא, ד: יש ליזהר להעמיד הנרות בשורה בשוה…

I have sea salt from the pacific ocean. Can I use it to Kosher meat?

If the salt is fully dried, then yes, provided that the grains of salt are not all very fine (like table salt) nor very big (too big to adhere…

Halacha & the COVID-19 vaccine

Question: I received a message on my WhatsApp from... explaining why the COVID vaccine is not to be used. I am definitely hesitant about taking it. I am curious…

Halachic Guide – Shavuos | לוח יומי – חג השבועות