Halachic Guide - Shavuos | לוח יומי - חג השבועות

Is reflexology problematic as it is eastern medicine? It is massage (an accepted practice) but is the essence of it problematic? They use the idea of “meridians” and points on the feet that correspond to the body.

There are various types of reflexology. If no energy healing or meditation is used then it’s not forbidden. One may halachically use medical treatments even if it is based…

What is the Bracha on Puffed Kamut?

האדמה. There is a doubt about the proper ברכה אחרונה. Therefore, When eating a shiur, eat only within a meal of המוציא. For explanation, see here. #5470

Can I buy a birthday gift for my spouse in the year of Aveilus for a parent?

You may buy your spouse a birthday present. ראה שו"ע יו"ד סי' שפ"ה סעי' ג', או"ח סי' תרצ"ו במ"א ס"ק י"א, דרכי חסד (אושפאל) סי' כ"ד סעי' י"ח,…

1. Is it permitted for a Cohen during Birchas Cohanim to have in mind a specific individual i.e. a loved one? 2. Is it appropriate to have the Rebbe in mind?

1. Yes, unless the individual passed away. 2. Chassidim have been asked by the Rebbe to have in mind the Rebbe. מקורות: אג״ק אדמו״ר מוהריי״צ ח ע׳ קצז.…

Does a left handed person say Shema with their left hand or right hand?

The common custom is that they use their right hand. Nonetheless, there are strong arguments in favor of using the left hand. Sources: עוד יוסף חי (להבן איש…

There is a new way of checking for bugs that I heard about it, using the thrip cloth. According to Lubavitcher Rabbanim, is that an acceptable way to check for bugs and can replace checking every leaf of herbs etc?

Asktherav.com strongly encourages the use of the thrip cloth or shmate method but recommends doing sample checking the regular way too. ראה מש״כ ח״א בקובץ עץ חיים באבוב…

באם יהודי טילטל בשבת דרך חצירות, האם מותר ליהנות מזה, והאם יש הבדל בין מי שטלטלו עבורו או מישהו אחר?

בכלל, איסור דרבנן שנעשה על ידי ישראל במזיד אסור לכל ישראל להנות, ובמוצ"ש מותר מיד. ואם נעשה בשוגג (שלא ידע שאסור לטלטל בשבת) אז מותר לכל ישראל ליהנות מזה…

Spending Shabbos with family who dosen’t keep Shabbos

Question: My family, who I live with, doesn't keep Shabbos. If someone buys something on Shabbos, am I able to use it? (tissues, food, appliances etc.) And is it…

להתחיל חזרת שמו”ע עם הש”ץ

שאלה: בשו"ע מסביר כ"ק אדה"ז למה לא להתחיל חזרת שמו"ע עם הש"ץ חוץ אם אין ברירה, היות שיצטרכו להגיד "נקדישך" ביחד עם הש"ץ. אבל לדידן שבין כך אומרים תמיד…

Can we throw away a dried up Esrog, or does it have to go with Shaimos?

May be discarded in a respectful manner (such as placing it in a separate bag before putting in the garbage). Best to use it for another Mitzvah, such as…

Can a Shliach try to have Hashpa’ah on a Reform community in such a situation?

Full Question: On page two of this interview with Rabbi Riskin, he quotes a Psak that Horav Soloveitchik A”H gave him about a frum rabbi sitting in Reform temple,…

I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How should I Kasher the sink?

Kashering a sink: Which sinks can be Kashered: Only a metal/stainless steel sink can be koshered. porcelain and enamel sinks cannot be Kashered. Preparing the sink: Wait 24…

I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How can I Kasher Formica counters?

Kashering a countertop: Granite countertops: Preparing the countertop: The countertop must be thoroughly cleaned. if any dirt is on the countertop it cannot be Koshered (generally speaking). A mere discoloration…

Using pictures or videos that were taken on Shabbos

Question: If I get pictures or videos (of a Seuda or Shul) that were taken on Shabbos by a non-Shomer Shabbos (or LeHavdil, a Goy), can I print/use/publicize them?…

On Mivtzoyim I go to someone who is right handed from birth but had an accident and cannot use his right hand (besides for opening and closing his fingers) so now he uses his left hand for all practical needs. Which hand should he lay the Tefillin on?

He puts on his left hand. There are those that say that in this situation he puts on right arm (מ״ב סי׳ כז ס״ק כב בשם הדגול מרבבה). However…

Is there any source to use specifically green (evergreen or palm branches) for Schach?

Some are particular to use tree branches (specifically palm leaves) for various reasons (see references below), although halachically it isn’t a requirement. ונתנו טעם לדבר, שסוכה בגי׳ אילן…

When do you we say “Hamiracheim” and when do we say “V’Hamiracheim” in Modim? And what’s the reason?

We say והמרחם in every Tefilla which does not have 18 (or 19) Berochos, such as Shabbos, Yom Tov, Musaf of Rosh Chodesh and Musaf of Chol Hamoed. We…

Is there a Minhag in Chabad whether to or not to use a “Yad” for the Torah reading?

While the Rebbe insisted on decorating the Sefer Torah with a Yad, we do not find that it was actually used during Krias HaTorah not in 770 and neither…

Do the pods or liquid of E-cigarettes and VAPES, need to be Kosher?

E-cigarettes and VAPES, whether in pod or liquid form are problematic both from a Halachic and health standpoint. See here: Rabbi Daniel Stein: "Are Vaping and E-Cigarettes Kosher?"…

Would Harry Potter would fall under the category of books that are Assur?

I was asked this question by my camper. She described it as "the world-class 7 book series talking about magic and a young boys adventure through school and conquering…

Can my son work in a supermarket that has mostly non-kosher food?

Question: There aren’t many summer jobs available for my young teenage son. Can he work in a supermarket where they have a nice kosher section, but it’s mostly non-kosher…

I was trying on clothing in a store, and my makeup left a mark on a dress. I put the dress back on the rack and left the store. What is the proper course of action to set this right? Does it matter that the store is part of an international chain and not a small boutique, or am I just rationalizing?

You must inform the store and ask them how to deal with it. #5325

Halachic Guide – Shavuos | לוח יומי – חג השבועות

Is reflexology problematic as it is eastern medicine? It is massage (an accepted practice) but is the essence of it problematic? They use the idea of “meridians” and points on the feet that correspond to the body.

What is the Bracha on Puffed Kamut?

Can I buy a birthday gift for my spouse in the year of Aveilus for a parent?

1. Is it permitted for a Cohen during Birchas Cohanim to have in mind a specific individual i.e. a loved one? 2. Is it appropriate to have the Rebbe in mind?

Does a left handed person say Shema with their left hand or right hand?

There is a new way of checking for bugs that I heard about it, using the thrip cloth. According to Lubavitcher Rabbanim, is that an acceptable way to check for bugs and can replace checking every leaf of herbs etc?

באם יהודי טילטל בשבת דרך חצירות, האם מותר ליהנות מזה, והאם יש הבדל בין מי שטלטלו עבורו או מישהו אחר?

Spending Shabbos with family who dosen’t keep Shabbos

להתחיל חזרת שמו”ע עם הש”ץ

Can we throw away a dried up Esrog, or does it have to go with Shaimos?

Can a Shliach try to have Hashpa’ah on a Reform community in such a situation?

I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How should I Kasher the sink?

I just moved into a new apartment. The one that lived there before probably didn’t keep Kashrus. How can I Kasher Formica counters?

Using pictures or videos that were taken on Shabbos

On Mivtzoyim I go to someone who is right handed from birth but had an accident and cannot use his right hand (besides for opening and closing his fingers) so now he uses his left hand for all practical needs. Which hand should he lay the Tefillin on?

Is there any source to use specifically green (evergreen or palm branches) for Schach?

When do you we say “Hamiracheim” and when do we say “V’Hamiracheim” in Modim? And what’s the reason?

Is there a Minhag in Chabad whether to or not to use a “Yad” for the Torah reading?

Do the pods or liquid of E-cigarettes and VAPES, need to be Kosher?

Would Harry Potter would fall under the category of books that are Assur?

Can my son work in a supermarket that has mostly non-kosher food?

I was trying on clothing in a store, and my makeup left a mark on a dress. I put the dress back on the rack and left the store. What is the proper course of action to set this right? Does it matter that the store is part of an international chain and not a small boutique, or am I just rationalizing?

My parents have divorced a civil divorce without a Get. They are now back together. Do they need to remarry?

Is it Ok to wear a trench-coat with a slit over a fully Tznius dress?

Does cholent need to be cooked before Shabbos starts?