Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

Participation in the WZO Election

Question: Is it allowed to vote in the following to help make the land of Israel frumer? They ask for affirmation on Zionism, that is NOT the Rebbe's shita.…

Is it appropriate to refrain from “the Mitzva” at this time, Similar to the times of the mabul?

* This was written Rosh Chodesh Nissan 5780, at the height of the pandemic. Answer: Not appropriate to refrain. Sources: ראה משנ״ב תקעד בשעה״צ ח. כה״ח…

If a child has a dirty diaper is there an issue of me davening or saying Hashem’s name within 4 Amos?

If the child is of age that he can eat a kezayis of grain within the amount of time that it takes an adult to eat a pras of grain (approx. 7 minutes),…

Can the Shomer for a Chosson be a Goy? Like an Uber driver etc.? How old does he or she need to be?

No. A Jewish child qualifies. מקורות טעמים: מסברא, נראה לכאו' דלא מהני גוי הן לפני החתונה והן לאחרי׳ ומכמה טעמים: הנה, המנהג שגם לפני החתונה לא יצאו החתן…

Is it permissible (Halachically/Hashkaficlly) to take my kids to Walt Disney in Orlando?

It hard to say there is something Halachicly forbidden about this. However, it definitely is not something I would recommend. The general atmosphere in theme parks are not in…

Can Ma’aser money be used for writing a Torah in someone’s memory?

Answer: Ma'aser money can be used to pay for non-obligatory Mitzvos and writing a Sefer Torah to be used by a community is definitely a worthy cause. Nonetheless, since…

Are men allowed to trim their mustache when it interferes with the food that goes into their mouth?

Many are lenient in this matter to trim with scissors the part of the mustache that interferes with eating. טעמים ומקורות: עיין באג"ק חי"ט ע' תכב במענה לשואל,…

My daughter is involved in seemingly illegal activities and occasionally asks for my help, such as lending her money. I don’t want to be a part of it.

Question Continued: Am I right not to support her with this, which might lead to a colder relationship from her end? As it is, her Yiddishkeit is fragile, as…

Is it Minhag Chabad to have the Chupa outside in the street or is it OK to have it indoors with an opening above the Chupah as is standard in many halls?

It is okay. ראה אג״ק חי״ב אגרת ג׳תתקכח: יישר כח על מאמרו נגד הפשרות, שזהו בקעה היותר מבהילה במדינה זו ובתקופה זו, ולא לבד שאין נוהגין כהוראת תורתנו במקרים…

If two patients come in to the hospital on the brink of death. You can only save one. I know medically they would asses the age, health, etc. When it comes to choosing which one to save. Is that halachicly sanctioned? Does halacha allow for determining which one to save? Is there a system?

Yes to all three questions. See the references in the following sefer. אניקלופדיה הלכתית רפואית - ערך קדימיות בטיפול רפואי. Available also here. #6865

האם אפשרי להדליק נרות שבת עם מצית חשמלי כזה?

לינק של המצית. תשובה: אינני יודע איך בדיוק פועל המכשיר הזה. אבל גם אם בשעת הורדת האצבע נכבית השלהבת מיד אפשר להקל להשתמש בו גם לפי מה שנהגו…

Can we choose someone who is in a wheelchair for Sandak Meumad?

Yes. Sources: במכ״ש מדעת המתירים אפי׳ בברכת כהנים בכגון דא - ראה שו״ת שבות יעקב (רישר) ב, א. ואף שיש חולקים, ראה פנים מאירות ב, קפו. נוב״י קמא…

Am I allowed to set my robot floor cleaner to work on Shabbos?

No, even if set before Shabbos. Sources: משום אוושא מילתא - ראה שו״ע אדה״ז רנב, טו: בכל מקום שיש השמעת קול כשהמלאכה נעשית מאליה בשבת מפני שהוא זלזול שבת…

Is a Kvourt (washing cup) that has small beads on its rim kosher to wash with?

It is kosher for netilas yodayim. סדר נט״י לסעודה בסידור אדה״ז סעי' יב ש"בפגימות קטנות אין לחוש". וה״ה בדדים קטנים. וראה גם שו״ע אדה״ז קנט, ד. …

Is there an Inyan not to learn Torah or daven in a room where someone is sleeping or within Daled Amos of a Jew sleeping because of the Tumah?

There is no such inyan, provided they are covered appropriately and there are no bad odors etc. פשוט. ולהעיר, שרשב״י ובנו ישנו והתפללו ולמדו במערה. ומעשה רב, שאדמו"ר…

האם מותר להשתמש באבקת עצם להשתלת שיניים? האבקה עשויה מהאדם ומטרתה היא בכדי שהעצם של האדם תגדל, ואחרי זה הגוף דוחה את האבקה הזו.

מותר. ראה הלכה יומית אות תנז ובמקורות ועיונים שם. אמנם, שמתי לב ששם משפחתך הוא כהן. בהנחה שאתה באמת כהן, יש כאן שאילה נוספת אם האבקה מטמאת במגע משא…

When the Minyan is saying Shema, all in the shul are supposed to say along. What’s if I’m holding at a place where I can’t be Mafsik?

During the actual brochos of boruch sheomar and yishtabach as well as during birchos krias shema - one should continue davening in the tune of shema (some say to…

Is it OK to serve Milkshakes, Smoothies, or the like to Bochurim before Davening Shacharis in general? Is it the same if it’s as an incentive for Bochurim to add in learning?

Before Shacharis, one may not eat at all. If not eating disturbs one’s kavanah in davening, one may be lenient to eat before Shacharis. Chassidim would be particular to…

Halachic Guide – Shavuos | לוח יומי – חג השבועות

Participation in the WZO Election

Is it appropriate to refrain from “the Mitzva” at this time, Similar to the times of the mabul?

If a child has a dirty diaper is there an issue of me davening or saying Hashem’s name within 4 Amos?

Can the Shomer for a Chosson be a Goy? Like an Uber driver etc.? How old does he or she need to be?

Is it permissible (Halachically/Hashkaficlly) to take my kids to Walt Disney in Orlando?

Can Ma’aser money be used for writing a Torah in someone’s memory?

Are men allowed to trim their mustache when it interferes with the food that goes into their mouth?

My daughter is involved in seemingly illegal activities and occasionally asks for my help, such as lending her money. I don’t want to be a part of it.

Is it Minhag Chabad to have the Chupa outside in the street or is it OK to have it indoors with an opening above the Chupah as is standard in many halls?

If two patients come in to the hospital on the brink of death. You can only save one. I know medically they would asses the age, health, etc. When it comes to choosing which one to save. Is that halachicly sanctioned? Does halacha allow for determining which one to save? Is there a system?

האם אפשרי להדליק נרות שבת עם מצית חשמלי כזה?

Can we choose someone who is in a wheelchair for Sandak Meumad?

Am I allowed to set my robot floor cleaner to work on Shabbos?

Is a Kvourt (washing cup) that has small beads on its rim kosher to wash with?

Is there an Inyan not to learn Torah or daven in a room where someone is sleeping or within Daled Amos of a Jew sleeping because of the Tumah?

האם מותר להשתמש באבקת עצם להשתלת שיניים? האבקה עשויה מהאדם ומטרתה היא בכדי שהעצם של האדם תגדל, ואחרי זה הגוף דוחה את האבקה הזו.

When the Minyan is saying Shema, all in the shul are supposed to say along. What’s if I’m holding at a place where I can’t be Mafsik?

Is it OK to serve Milkshakes, Smoothies, or the like to Bochurim before Davening Shacharis in general? Is it the same if it’s as an incentive for Bochurim to add in learning?

Can I warm up a chocolate cake on Shabbos on the Blech where chocolate will melt inside the cake?

What are we supposed to do on the 15 of Shevat?

Does a cape need Tzitzis?

Is there a preference to hear Parshas Zachor specifically from a Sefer Torah which has פצוע דכא with an א?

Can Mishloach Manos be two types of fruit, Like an apple and a pear?

What is the practical approach towards getting drunk on Purim?

My father is sitting Shiva. Can I take Shabbos food from what my mother prepared?